Not if you need only one for a hobby kit. $2.19 at the local Radio Shack
sounds expensive but the "better deal" at an online store can easily
turn into $10 or more with shipping. Or several times that if you have
to add lots of stuff you don't really need to get above the minimum
order limit.
Plus you have it that same Sunday afternoon, not next Thursday. Oh, and
dad can send the family to the ice cream parlor and browse around the
store for other stuff he "needs". Ok, then you'll have to factor in the
cost for the ice cream :-)