[TheJDMan]

My MO when buying parts is to decide on what part I want, take that part number and search for the lowest price. I try to avoid paying full list price whenever I can. Call me crazy, I'm just funny that way. I try to find answers on-line and will only contact a vendor to clearify specific information as needed.

I understand profit margins for vendors and manufacturers but there is one aspect of this discussion that can be controlled and which I have not seen mentioned which is sponsorship. Free parts cost vendors and manufacturers money in exchange for generally very limited press exposure. As a paying customer, I know the price of my parts has the added cost of those free parts added in. I am particularly offended when I see cars built by so called celeberties who have more money to burn than I could ever dream of and yet are too cheap to buy their parts and actually support vendors and manufacturers. These builds usually make a big deal about using the latest and greatest parts that are provided at no or little cost in exchage for worthless endorsements. Why don't you vendors and manufacturers simply cut out these sponsorships which in turn would reduce your overhead costs. Then maybe you could sell parts to us little guys a little cheaper and still make a decent profit margin.