[ssspconcepts]

I hate to see any small business go under...heck, when I buy stuff from Mike, I don't use his cupon codes...because in the grand scheme of a $2K-$3K build, the $20 that I save in the parts that I buy from RCM Mike is minimal...and I want to see him in this business for a long time. However, with regards to the LHS situation there is another side to the story. Example: I am the market to buy a new Jammin X1 CR buggy. I have checked several LHS in the DFW area and the prices range from $519-$559 for just the buggy kit. I can get the same kit online for $374. I don't buy this crap that the LHS profit margins suck. I also recently converted all of my RCs over to Ofna (except my G3R) because I want some standardization of parts and so it would be easier to buy parts locally--no good there either because all they really stock is TRAXXAS. Its kind of irratating when I go into the LHS and they look at me like I am speaking in a foreign language when I politely ask if they have a 5mmX109mm turnbuckle. And forget about asking them for any info about hardcore brushless applications. I travel all over the country for work...and I have lived a lot of different places...and I am here to tell you that it is the same song and dance everywhere. A lot of...no scratch that...MOSTof the LHS that I have visited don't even know what a Neu motor is. They say "ya, all we sell is new motors." If you ask them about brushless conversions they say "ya, I heard something about Novak puttin some kits out but we dont sell them yet."

Now I understand that that we are in the "high performance" and somewhat exclusive side of the RC hobby...BUT, I also understand that owning a hobby shop IS NOT A HOBBY. It is a profession...which obviously some rely upon to put food on the table and a roof over their head. And like any profession, and in particular, retail businesses...it is in one's best interest to pursue higher levels of performance, knowledge, skill, and capability...and to do so with alacrity and a good sense of customer service. Maybe you all have the benefit of living close to better hobby shops than where I have found myself visiting and if that is the case then I apologize to those shop owners for offending them. But until I find such a place, I will continue to drive right on past and buy my RC stuff online. This is just my 2 cents.