Wordbiker

Before you buy genuine Shimano parts from Fleabay, consider one thing: Why would Shimano desire to not see their products devaluated? Are they good products and priced fairly? They certainly try, but any manufacturer must make a certain amount of profit in order to cover their manufacturing costs, advertising, research and development, racing programs, safety testing, warranties, legal costs, employee wages, benefits, overhead, etc, etc, etc...and still try to make enough to justify all their hard work and passion for their products.

If there are no profits to be had, then cost-cutting measures must be implemented, cheaper alternatives must be offered, service must be reduced, and the entire product line goes downhill due to not being able to get anyone to pay for true quality (please see any X-mart bike for an example).

If you truly want to see Shimano products go to pot, then by all means, buy them on Ebay from people with no interest in furthering your cycling experience, no knowledge or experience in applying or using them, no interest in any relationship other than a cash transaction, desparately turning them over for a quick buck with no service after the purchase as they were intended to be sold. I have personally had enough of people paying far less than retail and yet still expecting the same service one gets with paying full retail and feeding the families of those that have chosen to serve them (even with products and services other than bicycle parts).

Everyone wants a deal, but consider that deal will always be at someone's expense....often yours due to no guarantees, or someone trying to scratch out a living. You still do get exactly what you pay for.