So if all the business trends towards a select few places that are able to sell a kit with a $5 markup and stay in business on volume alone, that may be good for the consumer in the short term, but how is it good for the hobby in the long term?

This same practice has really put the hurt on other hobby and consumer electronics industries. The whole idea of MAP policies is to prevent it from happening. Apparently most people don't share my view, but I'd gladly pay a few dollars more for a kit to help keep the retail industry healthy.

Anyway, that's enough of that, we can return this thread to the actual topic now. I'm just a dumb magazine guy anyway!