As online stores evolve, we will see more and more specialty stores and less general merch or electronic flea markets like the current big two. They do so well because they were/are the only two established online stores with any kind of following and that goes back to they being the only skin in the game ATM. because there are so many specialty niches in r/c hobbies, their are tons of small online stores to service these segments and most are one horse operations that exist primarily because of the owner's love for the segment they are supporting with their little store.
I'm convinced as we move more of our lives on line, stores will evolve to where the only difference between the small town era of clusters of mom and pop shops to service the local community and the modern equivalent will be the ease of browsing without having to drive to the physical location. As long as anyone can buy a (relativity) cheap spot on the interwebs and has the desire and a little startup cash, they too can grab a part of the e commerce revolution for themselves. I'm currently selling an r/c related product through just such a place. It's a small on line store that caters to the hardest of the hardcore toy car racers, run by a fellow traveler who opened his store with a handful of items he was making in his garage. As his rep for honesty and enthusiasm for his hobby grew, he has added additional products he makes as well as a few he deems worthy of the market he is serving. I'll never get wealthy through his place but it's enough to make it well worth the trouble of making the item and shipping it to him to list on his store. If I had a mind to make a living this way it would require some time effort and cash, but not near as much of either as would be required to set up a mega-super-duper we got it all on line store or a brick and mortar operation, but I'm convinced it could be done for less time and effort than would be required to earn the equivalent of your typical work for someone else job these days. Not talking about doctors or lawyers, more like working at the local retail outlet hawking sporting goods or clothes, lawn service, that kind of income.
I know another guy servicing the r/c car market through an on line store who did it part time for a couple years and has since quit his job at Merill Lynch. He works about two thirds the hours for more money and does it all from a shop he built in his back yard. Pretty good work if you can get it.
