I am frequently amazed at how many externalized costs a consumer is
willing to bear, at least if the success of big box concepts is
reasonable evidence.
If our society really is getting richer (and not just getting more
capital intensive) shouldn't we see the opposite trend? More mom &
pops, more staff in the bricks & mortar (or on the phone/fax/modem),
and more competence among all the help?
-Dave