We did have a new Moen $180 bath faucet fail in under 6 months & they would only send a new one if we paid a $25 shipping fee.

Hopefully the tide will continue lifting all ships.  

Don't go down with the ship like the captain of the Titanic.

If you don't think see the validity in the comparison, and you accept the fact that anyone can learn enough about REI through casual resources, and that the limited success gained of those casual resources is fine and acceptable, and the idea of looking beyond the simple and striving for better rather than accepting limits, then go ahead and change the surgeon to (choose any of the above) the:1 - Engineer that designed the structure of the building you work in, 2 - Person cutting your hair,3 - Accountant that does you taxes,4 - Air Traffic Controller that keeps planes from crashing,5 - The Pilot the flies those planes,6 - The Captain that sails the cruise ships,7 - Electrician that wired your house,8 - The plumber that plumbed your house,9 - Pharmacist that dispenses your meds10 - Software Engineer that designed the software you use,11 - ...I'm sure others can add to this list. 

There was a lot of money lost on shipping & handling costs which I would & could have avoided if I had looked more closely at certain items.

Chamber commerce, Economic development boards, Airport authorities, Dock authorities, Social fundraisers, get involved.  

I know how to run the inner workings of a home like a tight ship so I think this is right up my alley. 

If you compare that to home owner ship in the mid west..

I am looking to make a long term reaction ship in the field I have always had a passion for.

Sometimes they may ship them but that can be expensive.