There is another side to the price and Shimano story. What I've heard is that some on-line stores buy "leftover" parts from big bike factories like Giant. The cost of these parts are below wholesale prices and that is how they can offer it at the prices that can not be beaten by standard bike shops. We have a local online shop that also does not sell Shimano anymore. Maybe Shimano stepped in to protect their wholesale network and the bike shops that's been part of this global network for decades.