Nice thread Charles, but I would add that vinyl sign shops are droping fast due to the economy. I would also say that the exsisting shops are becoming more reluctant to give away free scraps. The reason being "cricuteers". Modelers are not the only people looking for scraps, the Cricut people out there are also hitting up the shops for the scraps. And to some degree the cricuiteers are taking business away from the sign shops, and the sign shops know this, so they are not always willing to give thier scraps away for free. I am sure there made be some shops that will give scraps away for free as long as they have some scraps left after all the cricuteers have been asking for the same scraps.
Is it worth asking a sign shop for free scraps? Yes, but be prepared for the No that may follow or at least a small charge for the scraps.
Gary