I guess I see an added value in the goods I get from the LHS. I like mail order. More than that, I like buying things from other modelers in the online swap shops. I hunt for bargains often--a little searching can really pay off. I do make sure that a good portion of what I spend goes to my LHS, though. I see it as an investment in the hobby. Even if I pay some small amount of premium, I know that Jeremy'll be there with the part or item I need on the day I realize I need it. That can salvage a day of flying. Good shops should be rewarded, and shops that are trying to be good shops should be encouraged.

I hear lots of complaints on RCU that someone's LHS doesn't stock the items that they need, so they turn to Tower instead. That can be a vicious cycle, where the shop stops stocking products that don't sell and people stop shopping because there's little inventory. I don't want to see that happen to my LHS--it's really great store. I don't get to fly as much as I'd like, so I really can't put a value on my time at the field. If supporting the LHS means I won't miss a day of flying, I've got no qualms about it.

On the larger level, I do like the idea of keeping some of the dollars in my community, too. I'm not very good about that when it comes to many things, but I try to make more of an effort when it comes to this hobby.