We have a few quality gun shops around here, along with the regular national sporting goods retailers and a "destination" outdoor store.
Of the quality shops, one is the type you where you can leave looking like the guy in the magazine for a little less than $5000.
They can do that because they have had the latest sales training. Every Saturday they set new sales records.
The one I shop at has that scope rail, hammer spur or extra magazine you need, or will get you a LH bolt gun or funky Handi caliber for a reasonable price. They carry the most popular reloading supplies and know what COL or headspace means because they actually load themselves. The unit price on their primers are a little more than you can buy 1000 at MSS less hazmat, but you can buy 100. I buy my funky guns from them (#1's, CZ 452 LH, Benelli Montefeltro). I can go there during my lunch hour and touch stuff. The money I spend there churns through the local economy and ends up back in my wallet. If you live near me, you probably aleady know who I am talking about. If you don't, you probably have shops in your area that fit these descriptions.
I'm under no obligation either; MSS has some good prices, and carries certain things that my local folks don't.
So I would say I am about 50/50 local and MSS. I need both.