BB will send you a sniffy sample if you send them a self addressed stamped envelope, additionally, whenever you place an order they send you out a free sample of FO and you are allowed to request a specific one. If they have it available, they will send it to you.
As for the company not telling you their supplier, most will not. As a matter of fat, many Indie makers won't share that info either. After doing their studying and trail and error they do not want to share, and of course there is that potential for competition too. So don't take it personally. Actually, the studying and the trial and error are, or can be, a great, enjoyable part of the journey.