LHS v. .COM supliers

[Anonymous]

My answer depends upon how you would categorize traditional mail-order suppliers. For about 10 years, I used mail order almost exclusively (the end of this period was at the very beginning of the web as we know it today, as opposed to the old bulletin boards, etc.), because there was no decent train-oriented hobby shop within a 45-minute drive. (I'm not big on driving in general, and especially not in Northern Virginia where I live). I still used LHSs for basics like paint, glue, styrene, etc., but for anything more complicated I mail-ordered. It was nice to save a few bucks but the far greater in-stock selection and the convenience of door-to-door delivery were the key factors. These LHS guys couldn't understand that "we can get it for you" [in four to ten weeks, at full list, without any ability to preview] just doesn't cut it when progress on your layout depends upon what you need at the time.

Then a shop called GrandDad's opened up, and within a year or two developed into an excellent hobby shop that is heavily oriented toward model railroading (their military section looks pretty good, too, but I'm not really in a position to judge). They have good stock; they are knowledgeable, friendly and helpful; I have even seen useful products there that I had not seen or heard of it from other sources such as the magazines. Although I wish it were closer, I buy things there that I know I could obtain more cheaply via mail-order, because I want them to stay in business. To those who (fairly) say, they don't owe anything to their LHS, I agree: see my first paragraph above. However, a GOOD LHS actually offers service and other features that I choose to place a value upon. Its also important to note that for items like hot new locomotives, this shop often offers very competitive prices.

I use the web extensively but mostly for research. I haven't personally tried any of the "pure" .com train retailers, but a mail order house that doesn't have a good web site will no longer get my business.

[orsonroy]

I use both two local hobby shops AND the internet/mail order.

Generally, internet shopping will yield better prices than what ANY hobby shop can give me, even with up to 20% discounts that I get everywhere I shop. I use the 'net for locos, RTR freight cars and resin freight car kits, and will soon use it for DCC supplies as well. About 1/2 my Peco code 75 track has been bought from internet shops. I really prefer ordering directly from the manufacturer, and do so regularly from Westerfield, Bowser and Roundhouse. Ebay is my friend!

I use LHS' for general supplies, plastic freight car kits, and stuff I usually have to order from Walthers. Also magazines, scratchbuilding supplies and paint (decals come directly from the manufacturer, generally online). I'd love to support my LHS more, but can't afford to. Case in point are my latest steam engine purchases. I got my P2K Berkshires for $250 apiece online, while my 20% discount at a LHS could only get down to $305, even though I wanted six of the engines. I got all six from my online source. Same goes for my new BLI USRA 2-8-2, which I got for $177 online, or could get from my LHS for $205. With that sort of saving, there's no competition.

[orsonroy]

I use both two local hobby shops AND the internet/mail order.

Generally, internet shopping will yield better prices than what ANY hobby shop can give me, even with up to 20% discounts that I get everywhere I shop. I use the 'net for locos, RTR freight cars and resin freight car kits, and will soon use it for DCC supplies as well. About 1/2 my Peco code 75 track has been bought from internet shops. I really prefer ordering directly from the manufacturer, and do so regularly from Westerfield, Bowser and Roundhouse. Ebay is my friend!

I use LHS' for general supplies, plastic freight car kits, and stuff I usually have to order from Walthers. Also magazines, scratchbuilding supplies and paint (decals come directly from the manufacturer, generally online). I'd love to support my LHS more, but can't afford to. Case in point are my latest steam engine purchases. I got my P2K Berkshires for $250 apiece online, while my 20% discount at a LHS could only get down to $305, even though I wanted six of the engines. I got all six from my online source. Same goes for my new BLI USRA 2-8-2, which I got for $177 online, or could get from my LHS for $205. With that sort of saving, there's no competition.

[Roadtrp]

I buy from whatever place gives me the best overall combination of quality, price and service. Sometimes that is a local store. Sometimes that is the internet. Sometimes that is Wal-Mart. Its American free enterprise and I don't OWE any business anything. If I lose my job is the LHS owner going to stop by my place with a bag of groceries? No, he isn't. So I am more than happy to give him my business when he is competitive on quality, price and service. But when he isn't, I don't feel any obligation to support him.

Another thought... I spend FAR MORE money on track, buildings, scenery, etc. than I spend on locomotives. On those "little at a time" purchases, I don't mind paying full list price for the convenience of buying it in person. But if my LHS is getting full list on the great majority of my purchases, I see no reason why they shouldn't offer the same (or at least similar) discount on locomotives that the internet does. If they don't the internet places will get all of my locomotive business.

[Roadtrp]

I buy from whatever place gives me the best overall combination of quality, price and service. Sometimes that is a local store. Sometimes that is the internet. Sometimes that is Wal-Mart. Its American free enterprise and I don't OWE any business anything. If I lose my job is the LHS owner going to stop by my place with a bag of groceries? No, he isn't. So I am more than happy to give him my business when he is competitive on quality, price and service. But when he isn't, I don't feel any obligation to support him.

Another thought... I spend FAR MORE money on track, buildings, scenery, etc. than I spend on locomotives. On those "little at a time" purchases, I don't mind paying full list price for the convenience of buying it in person. But if my LHS is getting full list on the great majority of my purchases, I see no reason why they shouldn't offer the same (or at least similar) discount on locomotives that the internet does. If they don't the internet places will get all of my locomotive business.

[Anonymous]

I'm struggling with this issue right now. I've visited three LHS in the KC area and had mixed results. I learned what their strengths and weaknesses(sp?).

I saw an Ad post for a truck tuning tool, used to clean flash, paint and gunk in axle pockets, in one store but no tools. Asked about them at another and the owner had never heard of them but wanted to know who made them. At the third I found and bought one. I think the third store will be the one I'll make my the purchases that I need to help with. The other two will be used for lower price standard items or for their shorter drives.

I am considering buying in bulk on the internet since I can packs of metal wheels sets for 2/3 of the price at the LHS. I need to upgrade from plastic on most of frieght fleet. Also I'm considering buying Kadee couplers in bulk since the price break is there too.

I want to support my LHS but $25-$50 on my bulk buys is hard to resist. Also shipping is about the same as sales tax so that point is a wash.

Both have their place but I can see the day when I have 1 LHS to choose from coming soon.

DT

[Anonymous]

I'm struggling with this issue right now. I've visited three LHS in the KC area and had mixed results. I learned what their strengths and weaknesses(sp?).

I saw an Ad post for a truck tuning tool, used to clean flash, paint and gunk in axle pockets, in one store but no tools. Asked about them at another and the owner had never heard of them but wanted to know who made them. At the third I found and bought one. I think the third store will be the one I'll make my the purchases that I need to help with. The other two will be used for lower price standard items or for their shorter drives.

I am considering buying in bulk on the internet since I can packs of metal wheels sets for 2/3 of the price at the LHS. I need to upgrade from plastic on most of frieght fleet. Also I'm considering buying Kadee couplers in bulk since the price break is there too.

I want to support my LHS but $25-$50 on my bulk buys is hard to resist. Also shipping is about the same as sales tax so that point is a wash.

Both have their place but I can see the day when I have 1 LHS to choose from coming soon.

DT

[NevinW]

My first rule to is to try my local shop first. However, it is still about a 25 to 30 minute drive so it is not that "local". However, most of time they are pretty knowledgable about trains and know their business. If they absolutely can't get it, then I consider buying it on-line. I have not had any problems with on-line purchases.

I have been in this hobby for a very long time and it is my observation that far more LHS have gone out of business from cluelessness, lack of service, and lack of useful inventory than from competition from mailorder and the internet. - Nevin

[NevinW]

My first rule to is to try my local shop first. However, it is still about a 25 to 30 minute drive so it is not that "local". However, most of time they are pretty knowledgable about trains and know their business. If they absolutely can't get it, then I consider buying it on-line. I have not had any problems with on-line purchases.

I have been in this hobby for a very long time and it is my observation that far more LHS have gone out of business from cluelessness, lack of service, and lack of useful inventory than from competition from mailorder and the internet. - Nevin

[Anonymous]

I use both but mostly use local shops. I started with Long's and was very disappointed. Seems no matter what I ordered I got about half. They kept telling me that what I wanted was out of stock. So I kept taking hits on the shipping cost. They couldn't tell me if what I wanted was in stock. I've bought from IHC and had great results! I've had mixed results from ModelExpo. I'm leaning more to the LHS. You may pay more but you can see what is there and if what you want is not in stock most places will order it. One advantage is that you do not have to wait a week only to find that the INet dealer was out of stock.

RMax

[Anonymous]

I use both but mostly use local shops. I started with Long's and was very disappointed. Seems no matter what I ordered I got about half. They kept telling me that what I wanted was out of stock. So I kept taking hits on the shipping cost. They couldn't tell me if what I wanted was in stock. I've bought from IHC and had great results! I've had mixed results from ModelExpo. I'm leaning more to the LHS. You may pay more but you can see what is there and if what you want is not in stock most places will order it. One advantage is that you do not have to wait a week only to find that the INet dealer was out of stock.

RMax

[n2mopac]

I recently moved from Fort Worth, TX to a town of 450 in central MO which means I went from multiple excellent hobby shops to none (of any quality)within 70 miles. Being an N scaler, it is always hard to find a shop that carries a good variety of of N scale supplies. In Ft. Worth/Dallas there were 2. The good thing about the shop is that you can truly see and handle the items before you buy, which I preferr. Also, on the internet what seems like a deal can turn into a bust when you pay shipping and handling. To be honest I have found my best internet deals on ebay, but you cannot always find what you're looking for by any means. Well, thats my 2 cents worth.
Ron

[n2mopac]

I recently moved from Fort Worth, TX to a town of 450 in central MO which means I went from multiple excellent hobby shops to none (of any quality)within 70 miles. Being an N scaler, it is always hard to find a shop that carries a good variety of of N scale supplies. In Ft. Worth/Dallas there were 2. The good thing about the shop is that you can truly see and handle the items before you buy, which I preferr. Also, on the internet what seems like a deal can turn into a bust when you pay shipping and handling. To be honest I have found my best internet deals on ebay, but you cannot always find what you're looking for by any means. Well, thats my 2 cents worth.
Ron

[CP5415]

Personally, I tend to stay away from purchases I can't see before shelling out money. Sure you can find bargains on E-bay, you can also find garbage too. I haven't heard too much about the garbage, but I really don't want to find out first hand.
I've only bought MRR stuff once over the internet. The seller happened to be around my area so I asked him if we could meet. He said sure & we've been freinds ever since & that was 4 years ago.
My LHS has decent prices. I won't complain about them. I've been working retail long enough where I can see where people are goughing the prices.
My LHS also has a decent variety of MRR stuff. Always loads of Athearn Blue Box. At least so far.
For me, I'll stick to my LHS. HE offers more than just decent prices.

Gordon

[CP5415]

Personally, I tend to stay away from purchases I can't see before shelling out money. Sure you can find bargains on E-bay, you can also find garbage too. I haven't heard too much about the garbage, but I really don't want to find out first hand.
I've only bought MRR stuff once over the internet. The seller happened to be around my area so I asked him if we could meet. He said sure & we've been freinds ever since & that was 4 years ago.
My LHS has decent prices. I won't complain about them. I've been working retail long enough where I can see where people are goughing the prices.
My LHS also has a decent variety of MRR stuff. Always loads of Athearn Blue Box. At least so far.
For me, I'll stick to my LHS. HE offers more than just decent prices.

Gordon

[Jetrock]

I have three hobbyshops within half an hour of my house--the nearest one has very low prices and poor selection (they are trying to clear out their railroad stuff and most is discounted), the farthest one has good selection and prices normally 5-10% less than Walthers catalog prices, the middle one has the best selection and standard prices.

I order online only for things I can't find locally or at train shows. This is mostly confined to eBay, and tends to be things like uber-rare ancient stuff (books, old brass, etc.) rather than more mundane hobby purchases. If I need a jar of Floquil, I go to the hobby shop. If I need an Ira Swett INTERURBANS SPECIAL, I wait for it to crop up on eBay.

[Jetrock]

I have three hobbyshops within half an hour of my house--the nearest one has very low prices and poor selection (they are trying to clear out their railroad stuff and most is discounted), the farthest one has good selection and prices normally 5-10% less than Walthers catalog prices, the middle one has the best selection and standard prices.

I order online only for things I can't find locally or at train shows. This is mostly confined to eBay, and tends to be things like uber-rare ancient stuff (books, old brass, etc.) rather than more mundane hobby purchases. If I need a jar of Floquil, I go to the hobby shop. If I need an Ira Swett INTERURBANS SPECIAL, I wait for it to crop up on eBay.

[Anonymous]

I have several LHS in my area and 3 of them are trains only. Unfortunately I'm in S scale which forces me to do a lot of mail order business. One of the LHS is very cooperative about ordering anything they can for me but the others don't have much (if any) interest in helping me out. If you don't do HO or N you're not going to get much attention from many LHS. That makes it harder to model in the less popular scales but it's well worth it to be in S scale!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I have several LHS in my area and 3 of them are trains only. Unfortunately I'm in S scale which forces me to do a lot of mail order business. One of the LHS is very cooperative about ordering anything they can for me but the others don't have much (if any) interest in helping me out. If you don't do HO or N you're not going to get much attention from many LHS. That makes it harder to model in the less popular scales but it's well worth it to be in S scale!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

LHS mostly. Gives me a discount, will order things, what more could I want? Have bought a little over inet, but you are buying a pig in a poke. So far I've been lucky, but know people who have not. A seller who doesn't know anything about trains ought not to be selling them.

[Anonymous]

LHS mostly. Gives me a discount, will order things, what more could I want? Have bought a little over inet, but you are buying a pig in a poke. So far I've been lucky, but know people who have not. A seller who doesn't know anything about trains ought not to be selling them.

[MAbruce]

Okay, for the sake of everyone else here, I think we will just have to "agree to disagree" on this one. We could debate this rather broad subject for quite a while, but I think we need to keep it MRR related (as it is MR's site).

My bottom line is that I will make my MRR (or any) purchases at the place that offers the best price. I hope that it can be one of my LHS's, and I will always give them the first try. But I just can't afford to go out of my way to buy from them exclusively for the sake of supporting them.

Sorry to hear about your power outages. Wow, 4 times a week would must be hard to take! [:0] I hope that this didn't happen overnight so your alarm was out of commsion the next morning. I hate when that happens. [xx(]

[MAbruce]

Okay, for the sake of everyone else here, I think we will just have to "agree to disagree" on this one. We could debate this rather broad subject for quite a while, but I think we need to keep it MRR related (as it is MR's site).

My bottom line is that I will make my MRR (or any) purchases at the place that offers the best price. I hope that it can be one of my LHS's, and I will always give them the first try. But I just can't afford to go out of my way to buy from them exclusively for the sake of supporting them.

Sorry to hear about your power outages. Wow, 4 times a week would must be hard to take! [:0] I hope that this didn't happen overnight so your alarm was out of commsion the next morning. I hate when that happens. [xx(]

[Anonymous]

Are we better off than our parents? We have a better quality of life? I disagree, we may have more material good, but we also have dirty air, huge national and personal debt, a rotten infastructure that nobody wants to spend money on, and chemicals rampant in our enviroment. I live in very rual Missouri and can no longer drink our well water due to chemicals and ecoli. The Eastcoast's electric went out the other day, so what? Ours went out 4 times last week. I know it did because the clocks and VCR needed reset 4 times. Our electric was out 5 days due to a storm this spring. That didn't make national news. We live longer now so we can spend more on doctors and nursing homes. Is this quality of life, to spend more days as wards of whomever? Our True Value is locally owned just like McDonalds and lots of other franchises are. Franchises are good as they allow locals to compete on a national level. Is Walmart a franchise? If it's all about saving money why is K mart going under? Their prices are as good. Our local computer store sells CDRs, mice, keyboards, cables, computers, almost everything cheaper than WalMart. I checked and buy from them. I buy stuuf at WalMart myself because they broke their competition in the 70s and 80s and are all there is for some items locally. But, I shop around and buy from a local merchant if possible. You know really, when you buy from a dotcom you are helping UPS or FedEx. And now I am being called resistant to change. I don't resist change, I want change... Quit buying at Walmart and dotcoms and spend you money locally.

[Anonymous]

Are we better off than our parents? We have a better quality of life? I disagree, we may have more material good, but we also have dirty air, huge national and personal debt, a rotten infastructure that nobody wants to spend money on, and chemicals rampant in our enviroment. I live in very rual Missouri and can no longer drink our well water due to chemicals and ecoli. The Eastcoast's electric went out the other day, so what? Ours went out 4 times last week. I know it did because the clocks and VCR needed reset 4 times. Our electric was out 5 days due to a storm this spring. That didn't make national news. We live longer now so we can spend more on doctors and nursing homes. Is this quality of life, to spend more days as wards of whomever? Our True Value is locally owned just like McDonalds and lots of other franchises are. Franchises are good as they allow locals to compete on a national level. Is Walmart a franchise? If it's all about saving money why is K mart going under? Their prices are as good. Our local computer store sells CDRs, mice, keyboards, cables, computers, almost everything cheaper than WalMart. I checked and buy from them. I buy stuuf at WalMart myself because they broke their competition in the 70s and 80s and are all there is for some items locally. But, I shop around and buy from a local merchant if possible. You know really, when you buy from a dotcom you are helping UPS or FedEx. And now I am being called resistant to change. I don't resist change, I want change... Quit buying at Walmart and dotcoms and spend you money locally.

[MAbruce]

QUOTE: Originally posted by flee307

As to saving money at Walmart that is a fallacy. If you would bother to shop around you can find most products Walmart sells for less at dollar stores, local mom and pop hardware stores, local grocery stores, etc. Our local True Value sells microwaves for $39, and coffe pots for $9. Got to Walmart and beat that price!

You’re correct that places like Walmart do not always have the lowest price on every item. But I find that it’s typically another large retailer that will beat another (usually on “loss leader” items). Your examples of Microwaves and Coffee pots only reinforces this point. True Value is part of a huge cooperative that has over 7000 stores nationwide. So why should they not be regarded with the same disdain as Walmart?? I'm sure they don't pay their help much better!

Actually, this is not about Walmart. It's about shopping at a place that has the lowest price. Bringing this back to a MRR theme, on-line MRR stores typically beat an LHS for price. Will this hurt the hobby? Nope, I don't think so. I think what we are seeing is a paradigm shift in MRR shopping. Times change. Things change. Those who resist will be left behind. It’s a simple and often cruel part of our free market.

I personally think the greatest threat to our hobby is not the on-line store, but the skyrocketing cost of new items. This alone will shutout more new people from our hobby than any on-line store will. If anything, the on-line store is helping keep people in the hobby by offering them a lower cost alternative.

QUOTE: Today my wife and I both have to work and still have less than my parents. We both have college degrees and my dad didn't graduate high school. So tell me again we are on the right track with dicount stores, imported junk products, and dot coms.

I work as the sole income provider so my wife can stay home with our young children. I'm sure you know how difficult that can be, but try it in the Boston area! As for what you're parents had, you need to remember that (in general) our quailty of life is far better. We have access to many things they never had. The "good old days" may have had their good points, but I have found when talking with our elders that they much prefer what is available to them today (AC, Microwaves, Cable TV, Advanced Medical procedures, etc.).

[MAbruce]

QUOTE: Originally posted by flee307

As to saving money at Walmart that is a fallacy. If you would bother to shop around you can find most products Walmart sells for less at dollar stores, local mom and pop hardware stores, local grocery stores, etc. Our local True Value sells microwaves for $39, and coffe pots for $9. Got to Walmart and beat that price!

You’re correct that places like Walmart do not always have the lowest price on every item. But I find that it’s typically another large retailer that will beat another (usually on “loss leader” items). Your examples of Microwaves and Coffee pots only reinforces this point. True Value is part of a huge cooperative that has over 7000 stores nationwide. So why should they not be regarded with the same disdain as Walmart?? I'm sure they don't pay their help much better!

Actually, this is not about Walmart. It's about shopping at a place that has the lowest price. Bringing this back to a MRR theme, on-line MRR stores typically beat an LHS for price. Will this hurt the hobby? Nope, I don't think so. I think what we are seeing is a paradigm shift in MRR shopping. Times change. Things change. Those who resist will be left behind. It’s a simple and often cruel part of our free market.

I personally think the greatest threat to our hobby is not the on-line store, but the skyrocketing cost of new items. This alone will shutout more new people from our hobby than any on-line store will. If anything, the on-line store is helping keep people in the hobby by offering them a lower cost alternative.

QUOTE: Today my wife and I both have to work and still have less than my parents. We both have college degrees and my dad didn't graduate high school. So tell me again we are on the right track with dicount stores, imported junk products, and dot coms.

I work as the sole income provider so my wife can stay home with our young children. I'm sure you know how difficult that can be, but try it in the Boston area! As for what you're parents had, you need to remember that (in general) our quailty of life is far better. We have access to many things they never had. The "good old days" may have had their good points, but I have found when talking with our elders that they much prefer what is available to them today (AC, Microwaves, Cable TV, Advanced Medical procedures, etc.).

[Anonymous]

You are right our system isn't perfect. As to saving money at Walmart that is a fallacy. If you would bother to shop around you can find most products Walmart sells for less at dollar stores, local mom and pop hardware stores, local grocery stores, etc. Our local True Value (locally owned BTW) sells microwaves for $39, and coffeepots for $9. Got to Walmart and beat that price! Walmart tells you with repeated paid advertisemnets they have the lowest prices, and at one time it was true. But today they have a large market share and are charging more than a lot of other stores for the same items because people don't really and truely price shop. As to a tight budget, large companies forcing their workers to work at $6 an hour while they set record profits in a recession that is killing most industries is the problem. Look at Walmart profits and wonder how they make these profits? Look at this site www.walmartclass.com/walmartclass94.pl to see how they possible treat their women associates (verdic pending). Why haven't we heard about this on the media services? Is WalMart an advertiser? And why do people always respond to points they don't agree with or believe by telling you to get out, or leave the country, or go get XXXX, or bring the "I don't care about their plight" statement? Why do people turn it into a personal issue and insult? Tell me why you think I am wrong about my thesis, I want to just make the system better, not scrap it as you imply. I am giving advise on what I think is currently wrong and some ways to possibly fix it. For all I care you can buy your trains at Walmart or Walmart.com, oh, they don't sell trains? You know, my parents got along fine on my dad's wages long before Walmart and dotcoms. Today my wife and I both have to work and still have less than my parents. We both have college degrees and my dad didn't graduate high school. So tell me again how we are on the right track with dicount stores, imported junk products, large multinationals, free trade zones, and dot coms. Support your local economy or no one else will and your job may be next.

[Anonymous]

You are right our system isn't perfect. As to saving money at Walmart that is a fallacy. If you would bother to shop around you can find most products Walmart sells for less at dollar stores, local mom and pop hardware stores, local grocery stores, etc. Our local True Value (locally owned BTW) sells microwaves for $39, and coffeepots for $9. Got to Walmart and beat that price! Walmart tells you with repeated paid advertisemnets they have the lowest prices, and at one time it was true. But today they have a large market share and are charging more than a lot of other stores for the same items because people don't really and truely price shop. As to a tight budget, large companies forcing their workers to work at $6 an hour while they set record profits in a recession that is killing most industries is the problem. Look at Walmart profits and wonder how they make these profits? Look at this site www.walmartclass.com/walmartclass94.pl to see how they possible treat their women associates (verdic pending). Why haven't we heard about this on the media services? Is WalMart an advertiser? And why do people always respond to points they don't agree with or believe by telling you to get out, or leave the country, or go get XXXX, or bring the "I don't care about their plight" statement? Why do people turn it into a personal issue and insult? Tell me why you think I am wrong about my thesis, I want to just make the system better, not scrap it as you imply. I am giving advise on what I think is currently wrong and some ways to possibly fix it. For all I care you can buy your trains at Walmart or Walmart.com, oh, they don't sell trains? You know, my parents got along fine on my dad's wages long before Walmart and dotcoms. Today my wife and I both have to work and still have less than my parents. We both have college degrees and my dad didn't graduate high school. So tell me again how we are on the right track with dicount stores, imported junk products, large multinationals, free trade zones, and dot coms. Support your local economy or no one else will and your job may be next.

[MAbruce]

QUOTE: Originally posted by flee307

As you may know I am opposed to buying online.

No, Really??

QUOTE: So save your few bucks now if that's all you care about. That's what WaXXXrt and .coms are beting you will do.

Flee307, some of us do not have the luxury of picking a mom & pop place to shop and paying whatever they charge. Some of us are on tight budgets and thankfully have a places like Walmart to save a little more than just a “few dollars”. If you have the money to throw around, then fine, shop where you please. It’s your choice in this country! I just think you should be a bit more sensitive to us folks with limited resources (or wiser spenders as I would like to think).

And if you have so much trouble with the American free market, then perhaps you should consider the alternatives? Maybe if you spend a little time in countries like North Korea or Liberia, you might gain a little more appreciation for the all blessings we have? The American market may not be perfect, but I suspect that you would not opt for anything else…