What do I expect from my lhs? Hmm... NOTHING! That way I can't be disappointed in the poor customer service, lack of product knowledge, outdated stock of parts, and the constant asking of "What's the part #?"
Now before you go and say I am anti-small business, I am not. The shop I refer to is one of the better known national chains which I won't name but we all know. I do however strongly support the two individual dealers in my area and will order everything I can through them as often as possible because they are the individuals that provide a place to race, are extremely friendly, and have excellent business sense. R/C is not their source of income. They are small business owners that use their storefronts to become dealers in order to help our hobby thrive.