Good points Tigger,

I had an aftermarket part break on my motorcycle,, I bought this part about 3 years ago, I couldn't find the receipt, but I tracked down the vendor and sent them a friendly email,,the replacement part is on the way. I'll recommend the Company to my friends.

That's how Customer Service is supposed to work.

I've been into cars for about 4 years now, but I've being into rc airplanes for about 30 years.
It used to be, the hobby shop owner met you at the counter, remembered your face, maybe even your name. And would help you and answer any stupid question you may have had.

It seams nowadays, the owners are out to lunch and they have hired high school kids with maybe 1-2 years into the hobby or less. A couple years ago I went into Hobby People in Encino (the original hobby shack store) and they had hired a young lady (17-18 maybe). She had absolutely NO knowledge of RC cars, planes or boats. How do you go about hiring some one like that? Then you have to deal with the kids that have a couple years under their belts, thinking they know it all.

What I've seen over the last 10 years or so. Too many people with very little or almost no experience are working in the hobby stores. It is really unfortunate for the guys/gals new to the hobby. They get no or bad information for the store. I've seen some of the worse advice come out of the mouths of kids working behind the counter. I went into the hobby people in Lakewood once and the guy almost wouldn't sell me the plug I wanted, because he thought it wasn't the right plug for my application. He actually had the nerve to tell me the plug I'd been using for 3 years in my airplane engine "won't work"
It makes me shake my head. It's really is no wonder you see so many shops struggle and so many people come in and drop out of the hobby.