I'm not sure if I'm considered part of the "Attack Pack" or not. There are things I agree with the "vocal majority" here with, and there are things I disagree about.
That said, go back and read the thread you are most likely talking about. There were many guys who chimed in and said they would see more local providers for xxxx reasons. There was some talk of business logic, what strategies worked for their own business. Nobody claimed to represent all or even a majority of hobbyist until this thread. While I agree that there is a great silent majority, your claim that you represent that silent majority is the most presumptuous one I've seen to date. Some of that silent population may or may not agree with Whispers or whoever you disagree with.
So without making claims of representing anyone but myself, I would just like to see those silent ones speak up and throw their 2 pennies so that we can get a greater consensus of what the opinions of greater number of people are.
Funny story, after all that about the vocal minority over-representing themselves, you snuck in the tidbit:
My experience....if you frequent a provider..show her that your a good/honest/trustworthy regular...you can get an "adjusted" rate
Seems to me you value and repeat seeing a local lady at a lowered rate as well, just go about it in a different way. Good for you.