I guess my question would be, how would a consumer know who is an authorized dealer or not? Yes I know it can be looked up but if a person is at a store and there is a brand new BGE there and the common consumer wants it, they are not going to wonder if this store is an authorized dealer or not.
Closest Sams to me is 2 1/2 hours away, so I dont know if they have any or not, but close to me is several Ace Hardware, they are a chain so are they not an authorized dealer, every one I have been to sells BGE's..There is also a farm supply chain called Bomgaars, they sell Eggs and replacement parts are they an authorized dealer, there is a grilling store selling Eggs at the Clay county fair, being a grilling store I would assume they are an authorized dealer however they are not being sold at a store but at the fair. Then there is TrueValue hardware stores(chain)some selling them, some dont.
My point is how as a general consumer would a person know if authorized or not and if BGE knows all theses places including Sams are selling their product and they dont stand by the warranty, to me that is very poor business and could ruin the good name BGE has worked for and coule EASILY result in a lawsuit.