I have some problems on my Chiese software, so I have to post this message in English as follows:
Jullien:
Good pipes, particularly those top-of-the-line ones are quite difficult to acquire even in the shops in US. The esteemed pipe manufactures have some very strict distribution regulations: They offer to pipe clubs first, then to their own boutiques, and then to the internet dealers.
The collectables are made very few each year due to the lack of good briars and producers' marketing strategy. And the echelons in the channel make it difficult to find anyone in a roadside pipe/tabacco shops.
One thing I noticed however, PCCA just restocked some high quality pipes from Dunhill and Castello, (www.pipesmoke.com), and another site (www.classicpipes.com) has a few B grade James Upshall pipes and even one Empire series pipe! Try your luck their.