This thread is coming from an ongoing issue. An issue that has for years affected all of us through the years, but more seemingly in the face of late. There is another thread on the effects of internet purchases on businesses, expressly in regards to expos' and shows. My issue is a little closer to home,,, in regards to the occasional maintenance purchase of belts and bearings,. my latest is the rear drive belt on the mower. To keep this quick and to the point, the one of our boys had here in town was 26 bucks, plus tax, the same lower end cheap one for 10 bucks online. After the battle of getting the belt off, before it broke, (to insure) the right size, I was in no mood to wrangle, haggle, and they were not either,,the smart remark about Chinese kids and their hooks and needles pushed me to the online purchase, be here thursday, for 7 bucks less and the original replacement to boot. so, yes I'm ranting , I like to keep it local, but there are times when a message needs sending. Not sure it matters, but there has to be a better happy medium.