Randy, you just do not "get it" in this case. Maine Trains is a vital, money-making shop. The owner runs it, and only it, full time. He has some help from his (paid) son, and a few times from others who are mostly customers but who know how he wants to run the shop. The other store I was talking about is Charles Ro, Malden MA, certainly not a hurtin' organization at all. They manufacture gauge one models as USA Trains. I try to stay out of there because those nice big trains are SOOOO tempting!!! Last time I bought screws, well, I ordered them from McMaster-Carr. http://www.mcmaster.com Having gotten very tired of being ripped off by the packages of eight screws for $4.95 or something like that, I ordered a gross each of the various sizes and head styles and had them in my hand in a couple of days. I no longer have to worry about having the right screw for the project. And I didn't spend all that much money, maybe $25-30. Paint's an issue, but Maine Trains special ordered what I asked for by phone; when they came in, I went up and got them. With 20% off, even then, which I didn't ask for, but received. Tell me again, Randy, why I should insist on paying full retail price? I don't think so. And I've written my last sentence in this thread. SGL > I'm really not trying to beat a dead iron horse, but do the manufacturers and/or distributors give him a discount? If yes, > what are they living on -- falsly inflated prices? If no, what is he living on? > > We have to recognize that these folks are not here to supply us and amuse us and satisfy us. They're here to make a > living. If we can provide it, they stay. If we can't, they leave. Most of them have left. There's a lesson there. > > If you like the internet, fine. When was the last time you ran down to your local computer and bought a 6-pack of the > screws you needed to complete that latest project? Can you even buy paint? > > My point is this: if you want your local brick-and-mortar to be there when you want the little stuff (even if you plan for > weeks and make a long list), don't begrudge him the profit on the big stuff. What would he say if you offered to pay > him full price? "Gee, no. The cardboard patches in my shoes are thick enough -- unless it snows." > > There is a decent toy and kids' store about a half-hour away from me, and I am perfectly happy to pay full list price for > the few railroad items I can find there. O scale? Faggedaboudit! > > Randy Brown > > Randy Brown > -------------------------------------------------------------- > Maine Trains is precisely the store I was talking about. Yep, 40 minutes for me too, so I PLAN that trip. BTW, I > shorted him on the discount saying it's 10%; It's actually 20%. > > SGL > > > > The Erie Lackawanna Mailing List > http://EL-List.railfan.net/ > To Unsubscribe: http://Lists.Railfan.net/erielackunsub.html The Erie Lackawanna Mailing List http://EL-List.railfan.net/ To Unsubscribe: http://Lists.Railfan.net/erielackunsub.html ------------------------------
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