Futurlec are OK, just stick with the simple stuff and you'll be fine. I use them for veroboard, hardware (spacers, etc) and 8x8 RGB LED matrix modules (cheapest I can find). As soon as you place an order with them, send them an email asking them to check the stock level and tell them what you want to do if out of stock. Otherwise your whole order will sit in limbo even if one item is on back-order.
For components, got to love au.farnell.com, they make my life much easier. Free overnight delivery, and if you order something that comes from another warehouse, they cop the extra freight charge. I can't drive, and living in BNE the availability of anything is severely limited, so they win for me. Anything else, I try little bird electronics - they now resell the Jaycar range plus a lot of other suppliers such as sparkfun and freetronics. 11/10 for customer service.
Digikey will beat local Farnell on prices sometimes, and they sent me a hooded sweater and some swag via UPS for winning a Twitter competition, so I like them as well.