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Message: <blockquote data-quote="WJC" data-source="post: 3164907" data-attributes="member: 25191">Well, I guess we all have a right to have our own take. I feel I have the same right.My shop had more quality instruments than ANY facility north of LA or possibly San Francisco—I made it so. While I ran probably the most expensive repair facility in the US—to discourage the wannabes—I did complete freebees whenever it was possible. Some techs would rather have the repair money than tell the customer that their objective bell was just cross threaded; I did. When a repair could be done with the customer standing in front of me, it was—hundreds of times. Then, it would be placed on the collimator, which I had in plain sight on the sales floor. I told them how it worked, what the tolerances were, and whether or not their binocular was within those specs. If not, I told them what it would cost to collimate it. Those not wanting the service was sent on their way with a bino in MUCH better shape than when it arrived, information they could use for the rest of their observing lives, and my blessings and a “Merry Christmas”—even in July. All my customers always got MUCH MORE than their money’s worth in my little “brick and mortar” shop.But, every day I had to deal honestly with people who would milk my brain down to parade rest, not thinking that perhaps I saw the sheet of online stores they kept referring to or knowing that I knew they were just using me to get information or look through the best selection for hundreds of miles. It kinda reminded me of the great Pastor Martin Neimoller quote concerning the Nazis:“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist.Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Trade Unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”Yep, brick and mortar stores are dead. Some, with wannabes on the payroll, should have died much earlier. But, some stood by a traditional value system until the stern was ready to go under. I hope all of those are proud of the inability to see the big picture when we have all left the business or died. Then everyone will get EXACTLY what they deserve … NOTHING! That time is all but here. Bill, your warm and fuzzy little curmudgeon, Cook</blockquote>

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