Does anyone or does everyone pay retail price?

There are some Mfg's that sell 'seconds' directly for greatly dicounted price.

On inspection I found no cosmetic defect at all. It is merely a way to bypass their distributors.

I saw some speakers advertised by a dealer as 'mint trade in' For a good price. When I inquired what veneer they were in I was told I could have any finish I wanted.

This was someone who wasn't supposed to advertise new below a certain price level.