Originally Posted by
mstateglfr
some European retailers sell for less because they buy for less due to wholesale cost differences.
some European retailers sell for less because theybare registered as bike manufacturers and get OEM pricing then sell some products for above OEM but under retail. That's gray market. Its why a brand new chain is delivered in a clear plastic bag or other components arrive without the retail packaging.
For your first suggestion, yes, that sounds reasonable, though who sets the wholesale prices -- Shimano or the distributors of the Shimano products? Are US wholesale prices higher due to an inefficient distribution model, or just because Shimano/distributor want to try and make more unit profit? If your LBS could purchase parts from a UK retailer and have them shipped, why are they prevented from doing so? Or, why can't LBS purchase from UK wholesalers. Is it all about protecting some random (is it QBP?) distributor and for what reason?
Your second suggestion I've seen before, and I can't believe that's the case because there have certainly been (and are still?) bike making companies that also sell parts. Until recently there was Nashbar who had their own line of bikes. Competitive cyclist owned the Merlin brand for a while; not sure if they own any at the moment. Any independent bike maker in the US (Moots, Dean, Allied, ?) could then theoretically become a kick-ass Shimano parts reseller. LBS stores in many major city are now Trek owned.. are they selling Shimano parts with OEM preferential rates?