Its been the same up here In the North East of England. There used to be a number of model shops that were very well stocked and the staff were knowledgable.
Now I think there are only about 2 or 3 that are any good. I know a collegue of mine went on saturday to buy a Futaba handset from a local shop. They only had one left, the display which was set up already and had been tried out. There price £250 non negotiable. He bought if online for £199 brand new !
And as for some of the other shops, you walk in them and they have NO stock! They say its dead money on the shelves, but when i go into the shop and they dont have the basics like CA, or fillers what chance have they got ? And thats not unique up here !
I think some of the balme has to lie with the customers these days as well. I dont think as many people are prepared to actually "Build" things now. There idea of building is taking out of a box and plugging the batteris in ! Nuts, bolts, micrometers pah!!!
Wheres me playstation or whatever they use !
Paul