Well the BC546B
Digikey #BC546BOS-ND pricing 1 to 9 $0.28 and 10 to 99 $0.16400
only one choice in Digikey, in Newark we have 3 choices
Newark #20H1736 pricing 1 to 24 $0.063 and 25 to 99 $0.057
Newark #20C0548 pricing 1 to 24 $0.176 and 25 to 99 $0.160
Newark #38C6981 pricing 1 to 24 $0.232 and 25 to 99 $0.182
25 transistors will cost : $1.43 (#20H1736) vs $4.55 (38C6981) vs $4.10 (#BC546BOS-ND)

I wonder if it pays to spend the extra money on more expensive parts?
Or the performance is the same and the only difference is the price.

I am on a budget. And even if I would not be, I would still look for a better price.

Konstantin