I am not overly upset, nor am I interested in getting out of the business, I was emphatically saying that this is a frustrating and all too common scenario that happens. Most people look at it only from their point of view which is dollars and cents to them, I was merely trying to point out that on the other side of the table is the LBS . We are on the front line, and are responsible for educating people, promoting cycling in our area, providing products and services, and generally keeping the cycling culture going at a local level. This requires a love for the sport which I have, and not a focus on profits. If you come in my store you will get the same treatment that everybody does. Friendly, helpful , informative, and supportive. You don't make any friends being a pretetious ass, and I never am, all I am saying is you hope for a little give and take, so I was trying to point out what the LBS does for you, and how by buying cheap from mail order in the long run might be shooting yourself in the foot. I like to look for the best deal too, but it is the local businesses that I frequent that scratch my back too. I could get my car parts somewhere online, but I go to the local parts store. When I needed a jump box on a Sunday night, the owner set it outside around the back for me, and I brought it back the next day. I don't think he would offer the same treatment to me if I came in, and made hime price out parts for a timing belt job, and said ok thanks I'll go get it online for 15% less. Maybe my view is too optimistic in the business world, but I don't do this for business, I do it for bikes.
WFW