Garmin was likely started in a garage like half the companies in the
world.
Why don't you start a company and give everything away, while giving great
service. We will see how long you last before the conspiracy theories
start.

Its pretty obvious you have a Naderite fear of businesses. If not, I would
love to know what you do. Doing business with you is either hell or
heaven.
I can't tell which.



Garmin was a fairly well financed start up by some PhD EEs if I recall.

I have no fear of business. I am against wasting money. If I pay a dollar to
a "top service dealer" for a product I can order on the 'net for 0.50, I
expect my ass to be kissed. If not, I better damned well see an extra 0.50
value in my doing business with him.

My point is, from my experience over the past 5 years, "quality services"
have largely disappeared across the board. Everything is becoming
commoditized. I made the mistake of going to a "highly regarded" paint shop
for their "Perfect Paint" system for my airplane. They shafted me so bad, I
would have been better off going for the lowest bidder. I just don't have
the time or patience for that kind of crap anymore. If I can't trust them to
get it right the first time, then I will just go cheap, or put a "liquidated
damages" clause in the contract.

Either I suck at selecting aviation-related service providers, or
statistically service has degraded across the board.

My last annual I went to a new IA that was "raved" by other owners. He never
did everything I asked for. I just left it at that. This is after being
raped by an IA in Florida last year.

So tell me again why I need to pay $1 from an "official dealer" when I can
get the same thing through the 'net for 0.50??? How is that bad business?

If Garmin is demanding I go through one of their "official dealers", I have
to ask if I really need a Garmin now, or just wait a few months for a price
drop or grey market or ebay.