Some of the NL dates are hard to find in any condition, that's no lie. Collecting the Newfoundland series is a big challenge but also adds to the thrill of the hunt. Deals pop up, people list coins at strange prices and sometimes an auction can net you a beautiful coin for a fairly low price. Look for the big deals on hard to find coins while you upgrade ones that are easier to find. This is a lifelong hobby. You can't expect to build a high quality collection in a year or two.
I bid on
ebay auctions all the time and I can guarantee there's always other bidders. I think there are more NL collectors than people think.