The company supports their dealers and there will be some folks answer that, so far, they had good success and saved a few dollars..
The company is not likely to undercut their own dealers on sale price.
I, personally ,like dealing straight with the plant.
The company has been there for a half century and many of the folks you talk to have spent their careers, working with these products.
If I want facts/opinions about products ,or how something will work,I'm not dealing with someone that just checks for the info on their computer screen.
The plant will have discussed it with the last hundred,or so,folks that have the same question.
A dealer may have an interest in something they need to sell,or maybe produces more profit,or they have on hand.
You will be talking to family members,or owners,often, when talking to the plant.
The units you are talking about,will probably outlive you,so when you look at the few dollars saved,over the months and years,the incremental amount will virtually disappear.
If I place an order,the dealer will check with the plant.
If there is shipping problem,the dealer will check with the plant.
If the unit has a problem,or I wish a modification be made,the dealer will check with the plant.
If I need a part,and want service to sit on their watts line, to talk me through the installation,it is folks I'm used to talking to.
If I have questions about trading my unit up for a different model,the plant is who I talk to.
If I decide to move up,and am interested in a refurbished,warranted unit,I'll be talking to the plant.
If I move,maybe even out of the country,and have questions about how to modify,or get supplies,etc,the plant will probably have someone in that area that has had the same questions.
If I have specific needs,or my needs change,I'll be talking to the plant.
If I have questions about how to use products,cooking, woods,sauces,seasonings,comparisons,etc.,the folks at the plant use the products all the time.
If I have questions about how other owners/cooks have approached situations,you are talking to folks that are involved in this all the time.
The one thing that doesn't change is, the good folks on the forum are happy to talk about bbq with you,no matter where you bought your cooker.
Just my $0.02
