We don't undercut the dealer network. In fact I run a shop in Germany selling AN products and, as a one-man-band, am one of AN's top 3 dealers worldwide. I stick to the AN retail prices and get the same discount every other big dealer gets. And, yes, on the Norton side I sell practically nothing but AN parts.
The fact I make money, enough to make it worth my while to continue doing it, shows AN does not kill the dealers. What I do notice, however, is that many dealers ignore our monthly circular on what bits we have re-introduced and often whine something is not available because they are too lazy to check if it is.
We are cautious in taking new dealers on. We try to help those who have been and still are loyal to us and, in the US, refer small dealers to Coventy Spares who are one of the few outlets who ALWAYS read and digest our news, immediately stock the new items, and then, within a short time, have to re-order these as I have seen to my great joy.
If not taking on a cowshed in the middle of nowhere that normally wrenches on the off-road bikes in the neighbourhood and happens to be lumbered with a Norton by a befuddled passer-by means that we "point-blank refuse to support dealer accounts" then, yes, we are guilty. I know certain wholesalers are far less discriminating to the point they supply e-bay dealers who work from home in their spare time at the same prices as traders who have to make a living from selling parts. If you applaud this strategy you are unlikely to underwrite our strategy. But then you shouldn't be surprised if reputable dealers like Rabers stop selling parts because they cannot compete with these part-timers.
I do not know where others get their fork bushings from and don't much care. All I know is that a tool is needed to make them for us and that tool is ours.
Joe Seifert/Andover Norton