Will,

"Some people want a local dealer and immediate availability."

I agree, but most people want the best of both, immediate availability and low price. The fact that shipping can be very fast can give you that option.

I think what you find is that more and more dealers are selling protected products on the sly over the internet. Sometimes the manufacturers will react and take the product away, but sometimes they are turning their heads the other way. I believe as the competition heats up, it will be hard for manufacturers to enforce their protected area policies-they will either start to sell direct (or though authorized online dealers) or they will start up another company to sell product direct.

In other words, I think it is going to be increasingly rough for the normal retail dealers (turn key installers are another animal).