I have purchased many veneers from an online auction site (didn't know you couldn't say the "e" name here!). Just be sure they are natural, and not paper backed.
I really like using veneers, as you can get some really nice, wavey grain patterns for the bows appearance, but not have to be concerned that those crazy grains are not structurally sound...like if they were cut into a thicker lam.
One thing to keep in mind, adding a veneer does add another glue line, which I feel makes it stiffer. I consider this when adding up the lam thickness, as I don't feel they trade out the same. I don't feel you can just take 1/24" off a lam and add a 1/24" veneer and call it even...the glue line does play a role. But, that is just my opinion.
AkBillyBow