Hey,

I have a 'hookup' with my LHS because I used to work there and because I still steer business their way. Sometimes, I have to wait until after the 'real' customers are done or other little inconveniences, but I won't ever fix my mouth to complain about it because they're not making any money off of what they sell me. I'm grateful and make sure they know I'm grateful.

I've had some of those 'friend' customers before. It never works out well. You always end up living that old addage that "no good deed goes unpunished..."