I know everyone likes to shop the best deal. Frequently folks buy long distance to save money. That's free market enterprise at work and there is nothing wrong with doing that as a consumer. That can lead to some awkward moments if you've been in your local store and then tell them you bought it from "xxxxxxx" because their prices were so much better. Or ask them to price match and give out the name and address of the low bidder for your order. Because when you do that, as soon as you are off the phone or out of sight, they are calling their manufacturer's sales rep to register a hot complaint and may threaten to stop carrying the product line. This in turn has the manufacturing rep calling the head management at the maker to protest, and then senior managment in turn calls "xxxxxxxx" and tells the discounter he is creating a marketing problem. If there are enough calls that have to made about "XXXXXX", then sooner or later that dealer becomes too much a headache and will either lose their dealership or be 'persuaded' to come up on prices. The end result is that consumer loses the source for good prices on that premium brand.

It's like playing poker, you don't have to show all your cards to win. So when shopping for your best price is to play it close to the vest and be discrete. The boat only rocks so many times before it capsizes....so go ahead and get your best deal, but keep it quiet around your local dealer. And if you use the resources of the local dealer (i.e., go to the showroom to see floor models, get help from their salespeople, check out their samples, etc.), then you really should consider ordering from them instead. Its the right thing to do.