Hi, Cheryl...
Clarification... Is your question implying that you might do a search in order to make a sale to this customer on behalf of your store? Or, would this be solely for finding a source through which your customer could make their own arrangements for purchase?
If the product is unavailable to you for ordering through the manufacturer direct or a distributor, I should think your store would be assuming some risky liabilities in trying to profit from being an intermediary in this situation. If the product received has damage, is inoperative, is otherwise unacceptable, what recourse (including shipping costs) would the store have? Unless your customer has agreed to a premium price, I would imagine the store's profit would be squeeky-marginal, at best. Also, if the customer reneges on the sale for any reason, would this be an item that the store could easily find an alternate buyer at a profitable price?
If your customer is not search-saavy, and the buyer's loyalty is to be strengthened and rewarded, perhaps using 'idle time' to do some searching on their behalf might be prudent. After all, I would think that a retailer would be focused on customers' needs 100% of the time on the job...which, of course, comes in many, many forms...from cleaning a public restroom to closing a BIG sale with a smiling buyer 
.
Then, if your customer has agreed this help would be acceptable, provide them with the information which would allow them to contact the seller you've identified, and let the customer negotiate price, shipping, ask questions re condition, warranties, return policy, etc., etc.. That would seem to me to be the preferred choice on behalf of the store in this instance.
The search assistance, only, is akin to another thread within this past couple weeks. Steve Muffin started a thread drawing attention to a special order run of MTH NKP F-3's only available through Stockyard Express. Steve, of course, has his own list of special runs. How cool is that!! Just like the Macy's/Gimbel's give-and-take at Christmas in Miracle on 34th Street.
Just some thoughts...
Hope to see you soon.
KD
