[Scifi Cards]

The reason distributors exist is logistics.

Manufacturers would need a complete shipping complex if every order when through them, be it 1 box, 1 case, or 1 pallet.

Using distributors means they only have to ship to a few dozen addresses. And I would assume most orders are multi case orders.

Distributors in turn ship to a few hundred addresses. Orders as small as 1 box are handled this way, but again you're usually looking at multi-box orders.

The dealer level again chops it up, selling packs, boxes, cases, and breaking product.

The manufacturers don't want to ship to every dealer, let alone every customer. They let someone else bear that cost. Currently they don't warehouse much either, as most products are sold out at the manufacturer level, with distributors and dealers stocking most of the unopened product.

Ed