Thanks a lot for the history, Bill. I'm not sure why, but I always feel better about doing repeat business with companies that I know a bit about and have seen that they're committed to their business and not just some fly-by-night start-up that may or may not be here next week. I mean, look at places like goRCgo on the web. You can go there right now and order a Jagdtiger and the automated system will tie up your paypal for a month or so, but there's nobody on the other end and you'll never see a tank. Having you right here in the US and knowing you're not going anywhere and I can always reach out to your excellent customer service department via phone makes it a no-brainer when I decide where I plan to spend my hard earned coin-of-the-realm. I ordered a pair of gearboxes during the 20% sale and the automated emails worked perfectly, the item shipped on time (I was provided with tracking and an expected delivery date), and it got to Detroit in three days (for under $9 shipping). Those gearboxes are in my Imex/Taigen Panzer IV as we speak (put 'em in yesterday). I can order smoke units and airsoft cannons from Hong Kong for a couple bucks less than from Imex, but that would be stupid (IMO). First, it will take them forever to get here, then they may or may not work since they won't be genuine Imex/Taigen parts, and if there is a problem I'm pretty much on my own. Not to mention that forgoing a long standing relationship with a trusted vendor simply to save a couple bucks is the utmost in folly, if you ask this crazy old hippie. If you've been trying to establish customer loyalty, it definitely worked on me, for very good reasons.

But I still think you should try to sign Erik to a 5 year contract (at least).