[glassdoctor]

Batteries are not a "cash cow" for the LHS and they are not part of some racket to rip off the customer. Lipo packs are purchased via distributors just like any other hobby product they sell, with the same markup margins as a servo or whatever else. It's how a business operates... you can't blame the LHS.

Example, here's what your hobby store cost is from the distributor (and Amain's selling price) on a couple of mainstream lipo packs:

Orion 45c/5400: cost 99.99 (129.99)
Reedy 35c/5000: cost 87.99 (109.99)
Reedy 4s 40c/5000: cost 179.99 (229.99)

So the LHS is killing you huh? Markup is @ 30%... they are not buying at hobby city prices and selling at "orion" prices.

My LHS is stocking hobby city products, with a similar markup. So a Turnigy pack that's $60 at hobby city (plus at least $10 shipping) is priced around $100-110 in the shop. Any hobby store could do this. I would, if I owned a store.