I still trying to figure out what the fuzz is all about.
How's the bad guy? Feathercraft, MEC, or somebodyelse?

So MEC had one left in stock for mail order, (or was it Feathercraft)?
It's the last one, so what? If it is OK? MEC often buys stuff once a year on bulk to
get good pricing (but I guess boats are not in that category -just to expensive to
stock them).

The local MEC store had none in stock, that's easy to understand given the price and
demand in such a product.

So why not mail-order, since their price seems OK and competitive to the Feathercraft
price. It's not unusual that dealers are able to sell below manufacturers direct
pricing. Makes sense, than manufacturers don't want to compete with their dealers,
otherwise they would not have them for long.

Based on language and attitude in the first message I don't want to know how the
conversation in the store went. I found MEC staff so far very cooperative and
helpful, in the store and on the phone.

My 0..02 $

Ulli