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TD, Be very careful with the pricing issue. I know hobby shops are a little more expensive, it is because of their overhead. I will say in many posts, my hobby shop RULES! I have live people that are familiar with my past purchases. In addition, I have NO shipping or restocking fees with them. If I want a custom item, I get it under Walther's pricing, etc... If I have a problem, or don't like a product, my LHS will take the return, they can afford to because of my volume with them. Sure, I occasionally purchase elsewhere, on the understanding that they cannot move fast enough, or get the product I want at all. You see, I own a local business, and we all live off of each other. Our customers are from the same local communities, and we send referralls to each other. From realtors, to florists, to hobbies, to automotive. We have higher overheads, because we are connected and invested in the community. We hire local people, we pay local taxes, etc. Once the money starts "moving out," it has a trickle down effect on everyone else. The customers loose their support network, their buying power is individualized and becomes less important to their new "supplier." Sorry if I am on a soapbox, but this Ebay mentality we have has to stop as a whole. I have 12 employees that are paid above industry standard. At any given time, I have over 80 people through vendors and advertisers whose job would be deeply affected if I went under. We pay a great deal of tax money, and we give to local events and charities (manpower and money.) I have never once seen the owner of Wal Mart at our fundraisers, or picking up trash in town... (in their defense, they will dontate or support local charities that give them good PR, but not because they know the community issues.) It is absolutely impossible to always get something cheaper. The less you spend, the less someone makes, PERIOD. The margins are RAZOR thin in retail, especially the hobby industry. That means that corners must be cut, and support must be dropped. Consider the extra 5 to 10% you spend as a "tip" for their services. If you don't have a local shop that you feel comfortable with, then by all means go elsewhere including the web. If they don't support you and inspire confidence, then they don't deserve the business, but don't "shop them" over pricing alone please. (And tell them they suck, maybe they will work harder for your business.) Again, sorry for the tirade, it is very personal. I love my customers, and they love our service, I would hate to think that there are others out there who will struggle without assistance on products that we offer, over a few percentage points of difference. Heck, we have been known to fight to match pricing and change our vendor relationships just because we found out we weren't in line with some legitimate offer! Good luck...
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