Even during the good 'ol days of Vodavi, I learned first hand that even they sold direct to "national accounts" (and that term was defined rather loosely) and that the cost of equipment to the end user was the identical wholesale cost that I paid. Why, I even Googled a price list and found our dealer pricing lists on one end user's site! It was always the latest one so I even started using it to check for price increases. Go figure.

I learned of this when Vodavi arranged for us to install their proposed system. They even had me do the whole dog and pony show for the prospect but in the end, Vodavi didn't get the sale.

Now, with the Internet, I wonder how small shops can even stay alive.

- Dave S. -

You can never appease your ideologue opponents.