Sorry I can't help, but I certainly agree with you 100%. The 1.5" gallery stretcher bars are the steal of the decade. I researched quite a bit and nobody comes close. For a 20x30, it comes to $15 with taxes. Most places would charge almost $15 for just one 30" bar and then you need to buy 3 more pieces! But I'm also with you in terms of low stock. With having so many different sizes, it ain't easy. Plus I imagine that most people who need stretcher bars are painters, and they are picking from the canvases that are already stretched. But with more and more people doing gallery wraps from canvases that are made with an inkjet printer, I can certainly see sales going up. I would talk to someone at the store personally and tell them what sizes you are in need of and how long it takes to get them in, or just put in a special order for you perhaps? For the record I am mostly buying 20 and 30 inch gallery bars.... so leave those alone!!! hahaha
Kiran
ps. I did just go to Desseres (or something like this) the other day, and their 7/8 inch stretcher bars were identical to the one's from Curry's, but their gallery wrap ones were I'd say a good 2 inchs thick. They were almost too solid in that I could fit them together. There were two slots that needed to fit and the friction was just too much. Yes they were more money, if you wanted to upgrade, I would look into this.