One big reason to have a retail dealer network is so the manufacturer doesn't have to deal with the consumer directly (there are other reasons but this one is a biggie). When consumers don't accept this business model then perhaps that consumer isn't the manufacturer's target. I see the real sadness in rutan 74's story is that he wasn't explained this in a manor that left him with a good taste in his mouth. Of course we only have heard the disappointed side of the story so we don't really know what was said or how. But this was an opportunity for both the manufacturer and the consumer to better understand each other, too bad it didn't end up better for both. Andy