This is not strange at all, in fact it is biz as usual. This is done
to protect the retailer. Imagine if you were a retailer taking you
X% profit on Vegas by selling it for $450. Now here comes SF selling
it directly for $399 -- who's going to buy from you? Furthermore
(and more importantly), why would you stock it if you knew folks
could get it direct from the manufacturer for less than you could
profitably sell it for? By not undercutting the retailer, SF
1) Establishes a valid MSRP
2) Doesn't interfere with retailers who are after all their customers
3) Can offer "special" direct deals without undercutting retailers.

F. Paul Lembo III wrote:
>>John,
>>
>>THANKS!
>>
>>I was about to give Guitar Center $500!
>>
>>I want to know, why does Sonic Foundry want more $ than retailers
who
>>are buying it FROM THEM. SF is not the only company with this
>>seemingly strange policy... I'd be curious to hear an explanation
as
>>to why, in the digital era, you should herd your customers
>>elsewhere??? The only thing I can think of is that they have an
>>agreement with their retailers to overprice on purpose.
>>
>>
>>FP III
>>
>>
>>
>>John Hand wrote:
>>>>I just ordered Vegas from Leigh's Computers - www.leighs.com
>>>> for $449.00, and it is in stock.