So many pros and cons. Plenty of scams to fall into on line. That's the beauty and joy of this board. Sharing great finds and giving warnings of scams.

At least with a shop it might stay in business and you'd have some recourse - but most shops are middlemen, few sell their own products.

And, its the same on the Internet. There are a lot of Internet sellers that are essentially jobbers. They don't carry stock. When you order, they order from the manufacturer and pass it on to you. Sometimes they even drop ship direct from the manufacturer to you. Locharron kilt hose are an example. Widely offered, seldom stocked, usually ordered as needed.

Whenever I can I try to order on line from the manufacturer. The Buzz Kidder kilts, shirts, and sporrans are an example. Many Internet sellers carry the product, but you can also order direct from BK - which I do since we're both in Arizona....except I found out they do a lot of their sporran making over in Texas. Go figure.

One of my things is not to order on line from outfits that don't give a physical address and phone number.

I do love to wander shops. And I do love to browse the vendors at games. But I know my prices and what I want like to buy at regular price to save the long delays. If I see it and need it and the price is right I'll buy. If something is on sale that I might need someday I'm liable to grab it up too. Otherwise, I'll just look to see the goods first hand and lurk for a good price.

So bottom line I most like the manufacturers that sell direct on line, enjoy the shops and games vendors when I can get a deal or get a fair price on goods I need. I have little use for the Internet vendors who offer everything but don't really stock it.

Ron