While we're ranting, here's mine....Basically it's the term 'box shifters'. I don't know where it originated from, but it's a well used phrase on this thread, and on this forum in general. I certainly don't understand why it's used to describe some UK retailers.
Is it because they sell more stock than their Irish counterparts? Well, fair play to them if they do. I don't think any Irish retailer would put a limit on the amount of stock they sell, and I believe they do their best to sell as much as they can. They are in the same game as the UK sellers.
Or, is it because they offer nothing to the modelling community apart from sales? Well, again I'm sure their after sales service is as good as any, and furthermore they have commissioned models that might otherwise never have been made.
As for the physical shop that you can walk into, well they have those too, for anyone who lives close enough or is willing to travel. I personally don't live near any model shop, so all my purchases are online. I've bough from both Irish and UK sellers. If I'm totally honest, any problems I've had with items I've bought online have been with Irish retailers......