They are still around because there is always a market for good, personal service. I don't think we should be blaming anybody but ourselves if we don't have the business we desire. As for AVAD, I used to work for an electronics distributor and it is a very cut throat, dog eat dog business. I don't blame AVAD a bit for trying to leverage their position to increase sales, that's what businesses do. Personally, however, I don't think I will participate in it. I am perfectly capable of marketing my own business. I see AVAD's plan attracting builders that I wouldn't want to work with anyway, and I don't like being restricted to AVAD product. Instead I will be seeking out lines and avenues to differentiate myself from AVAD and other big retailers. Hopefully you truly custom installers out there will do the same. Vote with your $$, you do have a choice.