Originally posted by Darkman
well, yeah, things that dont cost that much money, like paint, parts and stuff like that, obviously i would get them from my LHS (as I know lots of people who also works at em), but in the case of a new kit, where your LHS sells em for $800, and you can get em for $500 overseas... would you clap then? 
If there was a difference of less than $100 for a kit, then I would prolly get it from my LHS, so at least I can actually pick it up on the spot... 
Actually... (ugh, I *hate* adding up "hobby" costs, hope the wife ain't reading!!)... its a lot more balanced than that imho. Take for example:-
What ppl usually buy o/s:-
car kit... say $500-1000 - oneoff purchase
radio set... what they go for now I really dunno, ditto
charger?
ESC?
What I'd buy at LHS:-
car bodies & paints... approx $80-100/shell... x how many?
tyres/wheel/insert... approx $70-100/set... x how many?
batteries... $100/pack... x how many?
motors... $60-130... x how many?
spare parts??!? arrrgh!!! dun wanna remember...
option partts.t.t.s..t.... don't even ask...
So yeah, its about 50:50...
But to all the LHS's credit, I have *never* heard any them say "Sorry kiddo, you didn't buy that here, we can't help you". They are pretty good guys at most of them.