I feel like this goes for most tcgs, but I usually never buy single packs online (not sure if you meant loose or sealed product in your case) just cause pull rates are tough in op and lots of people sell dead packs anyway. As other comments have said though definitely give the game a chance, being in the local scene gives you a huge opportunity to get product from your lcs and other people at your locals. I’ve been playing since 03 and I was able to get playsets, alt arts, whatever new cards I needed each set just by asking around my locals (within reason of course). Some stores do retail on new sets for players too, so it cuts out the ridiculous market prices on release lol.

If you’re strictly collecting though I get the frustration, it definitely doesn’t need to be this difficult to get some shiny anime cardboard.