Perhaps there's a Ph.D. dissertation in marketing in the train hobby -- to be earned by someone who would research current acceptance of the practice of "window shopping" for trains at a local train hobby store, then walking away to place an order at eBay or Amazon to "save a buck or two," and then returning to the hobby store for repairs to items purchased in the digital marketplace that don't work. IMHO, hobby stores would be justified in posting this notice at the front door:
REPAIR PRICING POLICY
1) If you bought it here, $12/hour plus parts at list price. FREE diagnosis.
2) If your bought it elsewhere, $24/hour plus 100% mark-up on parts. $40 diagnosis charge.
3) If you bought it on e-Bay or Amazon or other online site, $36/hour plus 150% mark-up on parts. $60 diagnosis charge.
4) Otherwise, seek repairs via e-Bay or Amazon. Good luck ...
Mike M.
