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[quote user="nucat78"][quote user="jecorbett"][quote user="brothaslide"] Support your local hobby shop?  How about supporting American workers- Remember, most model railroad "stuff" is made in China these days.  [/quote] Why does anyone think a consumer owes anyone anything. I have no interest in keeping anyone in business or anyone in a job. I will spend my money where I get the best value, which may or may not be the best price. If the LHS wants my money, they need to take care of my concerns. If they can't compete on price, they better make up for in service or selection. If the day comes when there are no LHSes, it will be because consumers have decided that the e-tailers are giving them better value for their money. [/quote]I agree 100%.  [/quote] I will jump in on this one. I to support my LHS as much as I can because enevidably there is that one piece you need at 4 in the afternoon and they have it on there shelf.But yes the swing in consumer spending has gone to the e-tailors. Main reason is you have a town of lets say 40,000. 10,000 people are into a hobby of some sort. For grins say that 2,500 people are into trains. Thats about 7% of the towns population. well say that 2,000 of those people have a computer and shop at an e-tailor for price. That leaves 500 for the real stores or a little more then 1 % of the town. No one can stay open on that so yes there prices are higher because they dont move the volume that the e-tailers can and do. But how many of you can call your local e-tailor and get decent customer service, or have them willing to answer a simple question on a product application? Not many I would be willing to bet. I havent done any e-tailoring with trains aside from <a href="http://www.nscalesupply.com/">www.nscalesupply.com</a> . But I used to visit there store front as much as I could when it was open.The E-talior will hurt all small business store fronts that dont have a web site or are un willing to get with the times. Un fortunitly we seem to be in a society today that wants it now and for free. The cost of living and inflation seems to me to be on its way to being out of control. I made 23,000 this year and am barily breaking even! Combined the wife and I will be around 40,000. This is a comfortiable living but we dont make enough to buy a decent house in colorado. But I dont mean complaine, I am very fortunite to do the things I do and have what I have. And I agree with the 2 quotes above, I shop where I feel I get the most for my $$$ that includes parts and service. I will shop some place where I dont feel I am preasured into buying something everytime I walk in. I like the place where I can go spend an hour looking at things, talking to people, ask some questions have them answered and leave without buying anything. then come back a month later and drop $1,000 bucks in there lap because I wasn't preasured into buying anything when I was last there. Just my 2 cents.Curt
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