Ok there is no way to include online purchases as those are defacto special orders (there is no way otherwise to order online).
And I see a lot of comments to the effect one can often get a kit for cheaper via shopping online. But recent conditions with regards to getting an item in the mail only to get bushwhacked by a curiour expecting duty or brokerage fees has left me to wonder if online is always gauranteed to be the 'cheaper' route.
Anyway, spurred on by the thread at Track 48 discussing the upcoming soon to be available Tamiya 48th scale 88 atg kit (which comes also with the Afrika Korps set of figures) and how everyone was groaning about the price tag and how retailers would be reluctant to stock it at the price it is asking, the question is, due you normally just buy kits as they appear (through blind good luck and random chance) on the shelf, or do you look through the catalogue (as I do) and have the store order it in specifically for you?
50 bucks for the Italeri made Tamiya release that includes the Afrika Korps figure set (which is like two 25 dollar kits actually) is ok with me to some extent. As it will be made with Tamiya plastic if I am correct (which I tend to prefer in a lot of cases). Even if not the case, the thing is, I special order what I want. Thus my local store doesn't really take any risks with me and my needs. I also know she moves a lot of Dragon to a few locals (whom I have not met, but she claims are there :)).
She has a fairly nicely stocked shelf in the store, but I suspect she makes most of her sales on demand. Which is likely how any rational retailer should go.
I do occasionally see some kits on sale out of country online for peanuts. But my son's last purchase (from Razor in the US) for a fancy schmancy key board (I think he's nuts :)), was already pricey at 60 bucks, but to get told at the door it was 21 bucks more thanks to brokerage fees, sure makes a difference.
I have been told these brokerage ambushes are getting more common. I can't see the worth of a 20 dollar kit that costs 30 off the shelf, being a good idea if it arrives at my door and is looking for more than 10 bucks in brokerage fees. I like a good deal, but it needs to hit my hobby table and have gotten here the same deal I saw on the computer too.