[crASH]

When any of us deal with an on-line vendor for the first time, our (at least my) lasting impression of them is based on only a few things. Do they have what I want, do they "appear" reputable enough for me to share my credit card info, what are their return policies, and how much is the shipping?

Occasionaly I'll find a site that has what I want, but the shipping costs are all out of whack. Like the measly $25 poster of CSX 2430 I bought last week. The Shelby "sanctioned" website had the price listed as around $25,well okay... and they said no one else has this poster, okay... and that shipping is...$25 !!?? It's a 24x36 poster fer cryin' out loud. So I looked a little further and found it on eBay for $9.95 plus 7.95 shipping. I realize being a parts vendor and selling posters is sort of "apples and oranges". I'm just sayin' that due to these occasional experiences we have become cautious of the on-line vendors who max out their profit margins by jacking up "shipping and handling". AND, I'm NOT saying the vendor in question has, or will ever, do this.

Once we've had a safe experience with a vendor we then learn to "trust" them, but that first time, especially on an expensive purchase, I've generally got my "shields up, and photon torpedoes armed."