I agree: if we then think that the shop often has skills, assistance and the possibility of demonstrating and lending components and warehouse, it is right that it is paid.
However, the upward trend in prices is now a fixed constant. Often accompanied by release.2.3.4 etc... which makes everything that was on the list until the day before, age in one fell swoop, not always with macroscopic improvements....
Dealer support was always welcome, but for the most part, that has gone away. At least in the two channel 'hi-fi' market--whatever remains of that. Perhaps it is different with whole home installations (home theater, security, lighting and so forth), where the dealer provides extensive set-up/networking capabilities that the average two-channel stereo listener does not require.
Back in the day dealers either worked on volume and/or exclusivity: the former meaning give-a-way pricing, the latter typically specializing in through the roof 'no discounts allowed' MSRP products. Sansui and Pioneer v ARC and Levinson. The mainstream press supported the first, the 'underground' hi-fi press the latter, all working as the unofficial marketing arm of the industry. Today, mail order (Amazon, Crutchfield etc) works the first angle, whereas a few specialty dealers cover the latter. Because of the lack of local dealer coverage, you can now buy the high priced spread using mail-order, from franchised dealers.
In consumer space we can turn to guitars for a sales lesson. Will that be the future of hi-fi? Or is that future now? In my area 'mom and pop' enthusiast guitar stores have abandoned the 'casual' player, taken to selling instruments that start around a thousand dollars. Why? Because Sweetwater has (as I type) over 300 new guitars hanging on their wall, from a dozen different brands, all selling for less than three hundred dollars, plus all with free shipping and return if you don't like it. In Europe you have Thomann, which sells their own house brand (Harley Benton--including guitars, amps, electric violins). What mom and pop can compete with that, locally?
But what is more interesting, is the move by manufacturers into direct sales. You can buy from Fender as cheap (or in some cases cheaper) than any dealer. Hi-fi? Benchmark comes to mind at the higher (but not over the top outrageous) end of the price spread. I'm sure that every luxury brand has had serious management meetings considering the idea of direct sales, cutting out dealers altogether. But at that end of the spectrum customers probably want to be wined and dined by a trad dealer. A woman who can afford a Chanel bag probably doesn't want to order it on-line, when she can have store help fawn over her.
As far as your point about point releases? I'm reminded of the late Bob Miller, erstwhile audio store owner who wrote the following to a once (in)famous audio magazine:
I find that most equipment is fair; much too high-priced; a lot of it comes in new and doesn't work; guarantees are limited; nothing stands up. Before a dealer gets delivery on a new item, the manufacturer is advertising a newer model--much better! They can bankrupt the average small dealer, making new models every week. Don't ever try to get a part...
