I will admit it can be a good time finding hard to get items or good deals on Ebay. But, I'm one of those who actually likes to touch the product I'm going to buy before I buy it. I like to look at it and feel completely satisfied I'm going to like it before I lay down my money. Downside is you can't always find everything your looking for at a local place. So you have to balance it abit. Internet-based commerce is not going to go away. With the economy being what it is, I don't see how the little guys are going to be able to stay in business unless they change their business model. The little guys are going to have to either get out there and compete in the virtual marketplace or run the risk of being left behind. Only the larger shops with a big clientele are going to survive without an internet presence. There is some hope for the local shop, though, if some of the manufacturers and distributors stay tough. Case in point...my local guy (Blue Ridge Hobbies) used to be a "basement operator" dealing strictly over the internet and at train shows. About a year ago or so, some of the distributors changed the rules (MTH and Horizon I think) and he was no longer able to sell their products through his web site unless he had a real storefront. So, he went out and opened a store here in Greenville SC, but still does something like 75% of his business over the web. He might be the one of only two shops within 50 miles or so, but his REAL competition is every other shop out there. The new marketplace isn't the street corner, it's every internet connection. There are more potential customers out there than ever before, which is obvious given the regular monthly new product announcements from Atlas, Athearn, Intermountain, Walthers, etc. The brick-and-mortar guys who have an internet presence should survive if they price competitively and have the service. The Erie Lackawanna Mailing List http://EL-List.railfan.net/ To Unsubscribe: http://Lists.Railfan.net/erielackunsub.html ------------------------------
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