Thanks again to all that responded, I think we can kill this thread now.
I've received a number of good answers and can summarize them like this.
First, others have BTDT, encountered the same type of frustration finding
'widgets' or just about anything else that is a little unusual..  Some that
responded missed the point (I had said Little VW Content in the subject
line) that I was talking mostly about non VW items.  As a Gregg pointed out
the VW community is an incredibly deep resource either locally or online and
for VW info or parts or accessories virtually anything avaialble can be
sourced.  Two important pieces of information came through:  Figure out what
the item is called and also search for alternate descriptions and then go to
the Big Boys (McMaster-Carr and Grainger), find it there then go looking
locally once you know what the item is called by the vendors.
BTW, as for the two items I've been trying to find, Riv Nuts (try searching
on threaded inserts also) McMaster-Carr provided the infor that allowed me
to find small quantities to order online.  The second item, transparent red
plastic sheeting in thickness or .020 to .030 I'm still in limbo but have a
couple of clues to what will meet my requirements.

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