always dropped In for customer parts on a sundays when we couldn't get them through the trade. reason a lot of us are shutting is the likes of ebay or the bigger on line traders offering prices cheaper than we can buy through the trade. tyre pairs £30 cheaper than they get them for, chain lubes £25 cheaper than our suppliers, as you have said, if you want a nut or bolt or a call out for a loose connection costs us time and money we cant charge for.
I did hear months ago, GMS were going on line only but if you called and arranged they would sell from the door.