[Black Dog]

Here is how Maestro weighs in on the issue. He runs a shop out of the UK.

"Price Cartels Are Illegal

The current fashion is to defend high prices, by authorising dealers, i.e. a price cartel, designed to remove the competitive element of sales, PRICE CARTELS ARE ILLEGAL, in virtually every country, in Europe, a company director involved in price cartels, can be liable on conviction to a prison sentence of up to five years.

The only thing you are guaranteed from an authorised dealer, IS A HIGHER PRICE, you are not guaranteed knowledge of the product, superior service, or even a correctly transacted warranty."