Avoiding US dealer markups

Perhaps when we are discussing US dealer mark ups, we should determine what the difference is between a normal mark up…and a total gouge!
As many folks have eluded to, there are certainly many areas where a local dealer will be worth their extra expense…no question. The issue I believe raises its head when the consumer is at a disadvantage and the US dealer knows this and decides to gouge said consumer. This is quite a frequent occurrence in this hobby!

I think that the OP is trying to minimize the possibility of that circumstance, which I would think that all of us could commiserate with.

Voltage? Import duties and taxes etc. risky

Typically the UK price already includes VAT, so if the US dealer price is another 30% above the already VAT included dealer price from UK, that's a lot. Then again, you will have to consider international shipping cost if it's a heavy unit, as well as possible import duties however I believe amps and dacs and duty exempt in the US.

Don't we complain that there are no -or not enough- brick and mortar stores to shop audio equipment but are now begrudging that store earning enough money to keep the doors open? I don't like paying higher dealer prices for gear either but I also don't and wouldn't work for free -why should they?