I am a Works Performance dealer, among other things. I have customers all the time who call and ask the price of a new pair of shocks. I flat out tell them that they are cheaper to buy direct from Works Performance's eBay outlet. I am not bitter one bit. I don't understand the logic behind this. I guess if you're ONLY in the business to make a dime, the argument is valid. I, simply, am not. One of my most popular lines is: "Don't spend money unless you absolutely NEED to." My goal is to save my customers every penny possible. Maybe it's a terrible business model, but it's working. I send customers to other vendors who are better at specific things, than I am. I want my customers to have the best product, at the best price. If I can't give that to them, I will tell them who can. It's all about supporting this community.
If a manufacturer wants to sell below what their dealer's retail is, that is their prerogative. The dealers have the option of carrying the product line or not.