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A certain ARF I have my eye on. Tower price $209, LHS1 $239, LHS2 $275. I am willing to pay the price at LHS1 and would probably even be willing to dish out $250 for it but not the $275 LHS2 wants.
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Sorry not to include your whole post but I am only speaking to this part.

For my own self I think a $30 markup on a $209 purchase is excessive and I would not pay it, 15% on a ten dollar item is one thing but on $200 that is significant. Tower also has $20 off $150 code right now that makes it a $50 delta.
Once you get to $100, sales tax here in Texas is more than shipping.
None of the hobby shops near me mark up the ARFs, they sell them for the mail order price plus sales tax.
If you are not a Tower Super Saver member check out Omni Models
Place an order of $150 or more by August 31, 2006 and we'll take $15.00 off the total. Add in the free shipping we offer every day of the year (for $100 minimum orders) and your total savings comes to $20.00. To save just use: Coupon Number: 33W28

Mail order it and feel good about the money you are saving, as you already know the price of the airframe is just the beginning, if you break up all of your orders to be $150 you can save $15 every time at Omni or $20 at Tower.