Same sentiments and experience here - many times over.

If it is a high volume competitive item Deere is usually competitive. If they think they got you, usually not. We buy a lot of stuff elsewhere anymore. Shoup and Sloan are regular sources. If a dealer stocks the part I would expect to pay a little more - it costs money to keep stuff on hand. If they have to order it, price rules here. In my opinion they should have a two tier price system - with a lower cost (discount) for parts they don't carry on the shelf. That might encourage them to keep some more stuff.

John