Well, don't overstate my positions on this. The Lacey Act and CITES have gone too, too far, and the US government has no business attempting to enforce misunderstood laws of other countries...that being the heart of the Gibson tempest in a teapot. If the US is going to enforce other countries' laws, let's start with immigration laws and make them reciprocal. Mexico has much more draconian laws re. non-citizens than does the US...for instance. As far as pricing, no matter whether you sell direct or through stores, you'd better understand that selling instruments is time consuming. Every minute you're explaining, promoting, selling is a minute you're not making ukes. Either you do it...and it costs...or a store does it...and it costs. My dealers earn their margins, and they keep me alive. I earn my margins when I sell direct because I can then afford to spend the time explaining my instruments, my options, etc.
Politically, I'm kind of a libertarian socialist!
