I'm not too concerned about warranty service...and no, I don't know if I bought from an "authorized" dealer. Don't care. I saved the total cost of the extra stuff- my estimation: $65 saved...even after shipping.

It has the warranty cards with it, so I'll fill them out, send them in, and be on their books. If they chose to deny service (which I doubt will need to be done anyway) I would politely make my case to them. If they still chose to deny a claim I would make it a point to NOT recommmend them to anyone within earshot...hell, I would even consider sending it back to them and telling them to keep it as I would buy an Elite.

I understand companies sometimes make it a point to refuse service if not purchased through an authorized dealer but let's face it, the Internet is changing the business model. Plus, can a company really prove you did or didn't purchase a trainer from an authorized dealer? Maybe they can, but it's not like a high-tech piece of electronics which has internal serial numbers AND is marketed in many countries as a different product name/model number. These are exactly the same products being sold with exactly the same designations. Furthermore, unless these are "falling off the back of a truck" someone is buying them from Cycleops for resale. I know I can't call the company and buy one trainer, you must be a dealer...or a dealer must be selling them to a wholesaler. Which ever way it happens, even if the serial numbers were logged at the factory they would be considered sold to an authorized dealer. Therefore, NO worries on my end.

PJ