It seems hobby shops are in with the trend of the passing of brick and mortar stores. I deal with one area hobby shop that is 30 miles away, another that's 15 miles but more difficult to get too. As traffic keeps getting worse around Seattle I find myself doing a lot more purchasing online from a store all the way across the country in Virginia, Ebay, and train shows.
Same thing goes for hot rod parts, I purchased a transmission last year having it shipped from Florida to get the features I wanted at a price I could afford. Harley parts much the same way I just got some parts from Brooklyn, New York for a way better price including shipping and Wa. state tax than I could get locally. In fact I got some automotive toggle switches, panel lights, switch cover guards, Weather Pack connectors, and brass fittings from China for a quarter to a third the cost of these same parts at local stores with same day, free shipping. So I'm reaping the financial rewards of all those American companies that moved to China and taught them all about modern materials and manufacturing.
I guess I'm part of the problem but electronic shopping from all over the country, if not the world, sure is easy, saves money, and given what it takes to drive around a modern American city saves a ton of time. I even changed dentists as he was 30 miles in the opposite direction from my work which is 30 miles from my home that is located between the two. Used to be no big deal years ago, but the city has grown big time and that 60 miles has gone from an hour drive to 3 or 4 or more which is a time beating I just can't tolerate. So adjustments have to be made.
Wandering through Sears the other day it came to me that 20 years ago they should have ditched the clothes, housewares, and jewelry for an indoor lumber yard. Instead the Captians of Industry that run that operation sold off the parts that made money like DieHard, Craftsman, and Kenmore to finance the parts that don't and probably never will make money. I expect there will be a continuing place for Home Depot, Lowes, and Menards simply because the stuff they sell is sometimes difficult to ship by mail.
Bogie
