Does anyone know how much expense in A hobby Shop
Well I have two things to say about this issue
1. I have to wonder if some of the mail order places are buying product through the U.S. importer or are they going elsewhere to purchase product ?
Remember if you buy a JR radio at a great price through mail order and the it wasn't purchased by the mail order place through Horizon then technically you have no warranty through Horizon repair. It's called gray market.
2. Remember that by supporting your LHS it can stay in business and you go and buy the things you need when you need them ( like fuel) if you have to buy fuel by mail order wait till you see the Haz Mat shipping bill !
Now don't get me wrong I think there are several mail order places that do a great job and have good product and good knowledge. And I will also on occasion make a mail order purchase for some specialty item my local store doesn't carry.