RE: Dealer ethics
I've purchased several sets of retracts from Lenny at shindinmachine.com. He does great work which is reliable. He's also done some custom work for me for other projects that others wanted you to mortgage you home to afford!
I've since ordered two engines from hobby king, one I've received which only took two weeks and the other is in route. Not bad considering the distance but not the best. I've ordered other items from china and received them in seven days.
I'm learning that you purchase from hobby king not when you need the items now but when your collecting items for a future build, like the LA-7 I'll be ordering from VQ here after the holidays.
I've also purchased several planes from VQ.. Outstanding service puts it mildly! Emails me at midnight, great communications and keeps me informed of products shipments with the fastest deliveries to date. He'll continue to get my business.