i think it would be a great idea..BUT do you think some of these big retailers would allow this to happen??.....i know if i was a big box store and i heard of a manufacturer cutting into my merchandising,i would certainly do a few things to curtail the manufacture's method of selling to my public...either threaten to drop the line or source out a new product...imagine if we could get shimano onside by selling a one time bulk load of rods....the mark up on rods are approx 3 times of retail....bps would freak, wouldn't they??
now having said that....it would be interesting to see where the said manufacturer would draw the line,...we as consumers would have to have one helluva big buying power..to make it worthwhile to the manufacturer,to choose this new avenue over the traditional retail stores
im all for this and would help in any way i can