If you’re looking for cheap exotic wood, look at old pallets, especially ones from out of the US. Many are made from oaks and mahogany and at times figured nicely, once cleaned up. Often you can find broken pallets in or next to the trash bins.

Take a small hand plane with you & be amazed at what you’ll find. I know a guy, who makes some beautiful picture frames from re-claimed pallet rack wood.

One of the things I do is search thrift stores for broken wood statues. You can buy a chunk of Ironwood or even some rosewood for a buck or two. I can get a gang load of great scales from a busted up carving.