There is nothing (except greed) stopping local dealers from price matching the online dealers. If they are too lazy to get in the online sales game, then maybe they should sell their dealership to someone who WANTS to grow the business and make money. One thing is certain, anytime the free market is interfered with, the consumer is the one who pays.
I've had a pretty good relationship with my local dealer. BUT, I've ordered things online from other dealers because of pricing. asked local dealer to match the online price & was told he couldn't buy it for that price, much less sell it for that price. I call BS. how can one dealer sell to me ( and you know they're still making a profit) less than the local can buy it. maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think the MOCO is selling the same parts to different dealers at different pricing. I told local guys I'd like to keep money local but I can't see giving away extra thousands because of dealership greed on mark up. my daughter used to work in motor clothes & I know what she could get me clothes & parts for( even with the mark up over cost for her). it's crazy on the mark up.