I have found in this business people will not deal with you directly unless you have a relationship with them. Then you have to spend time getting to know who has traffic and will sell it to you.
There is a lot of leg work that would go in to this for someone who doesn't have much experience. A broker is the only option at this point.
The "retail" examples do not apply in these cases.
BTW... IDinternet here is a challenge for you...
Try to purchase a Cannondale Bicycle directly from the manufacturer and tell me what happens...
