I was quite saddened when I read the topic heading because on first sight it looked like the end of probably the main source of good quality parts for our cars. Having looked at the new supplier I think it might actually herald an improvement, at least for those of us who order over the internet.
Reading between the lines, we all know that Richard doesn't do email and the best way is to ring him up. Even if you haven't used Richard (you should !) then you get a feeling that he keeps the website running because he has to, not because he wants to. It obviously brings in more internet sales/enquires than he can handle, especially if he's a "talker" & not a "typer".
The new supplier appears to do internet sales as their main business and if you can believe what's written on their website, then they are still going to be using Richard to source parts and expertise. So effectively they are taking the day to day sales job which I suspect Richard doesn't like doing anyway. I think he'd prefer to be making or designing things and not typing into a keyboard.
Here's a link to their "About" page which seems to sum up what's happening.
http://lotuseuropaparts.co.uk/contents/en-uk/about.htmlBrian
