Joe- My dealer told me he was slating the next 3 921's for ebay auction. The first one that arrived was paid for by me so that is the only reason it didn't end up on eBay. I don't consider them offering their product line on the internet opportunistic (in a bad way) at all. It is opportunistic in a basic business sense. They are not taking advantage of anyone who doesn't want to bid or pay "fair market" price. At this time, fair market price is just 150% of MSRP! Once the supply is plentiful, this will all change.
I think if you want to point the finger of blame here it should go toward E* sales because they are the ones who have restricted the availability causing the supply-demand price hike. The supply / demand market on the 921 is indeed based on the FACT that E* claims to be doing exactly that, creating the slow release as they also claim they have thousands sitting in the warehouse. More than 8 E* reps told me this at CES. One also said they have the capability to make 1000 921's per week!
The only case I would point the finger at a dealer is if he lied abut availability to customers who had preordered at a quoted price and the order was accepted. Then the items come in and he sells them to another for the profit. My dealer is too smart to pull anything like this. He knows and respects the law and would not put his business at risk of violating a UCC regulation and law suit. And, he knows I'm fully aware of the UCC too.
In the US businesses have great freedom but there are minimal regulations governing business practices such as Uniform Commercial Code. If you don't abide by these you may get bit big time! Smart educated business people know, respect, and abide by them.
I think if you want to point the finger of blame here it should go toward E* sales because they are the ones who have restricted the availability causing the supply-demand price hike. The supply / demand market on the 921 is indeed based on the FACT that E* claims to be doing exactly that, creating the slow release as they also claim they have thousands sitting in the warehouse. More than 8 E* reps told me this at CES. One also said they have the capability to make 1000 921's per week!
The only case I would point the finger at a dealer is if he lied abut availability to customers who had preordered at a quoted price and the order was accepted. Then the items come in and he sells them to another for the profit. My dealer is too smart to pull anything like this. He knows and respects the law and would not put his business at risk of violating a UCC regulation and law suit. And, he knows I'm fully aware of the UCC too.
In the US businesses have great freedom but there are minimal regulations governing business practices such as Uniform Commercial Code. If you don't abide by these you may get bit big time! Smart educated business people know, respect, and abide by them.