Around here there are too many middleman and each gets their chunk of $$$. The mfg sells it to a wholesaler who basically warehouses the parts for distribution in the region. The wholesaler marks it up and sells it to a dealer who then sells it to another distributor or service shop who then marks it up again and sells it to you. A few of these wholesalers also sell direct. Imagine what their margin is. As I posted earlier you can cut out the middleman if you can wait.