I see nothing wrong with buying a pedal steel from the manufacturer if that's what you want to do, and for what ever reason(s) you may have. Most steel manufactures today are reputable, and some actually really do care about their customers. However, on the other hand, there are also some very good reasons to buy your guitars from an authorized dealer, and I will attempt to list a few of them I think worthy of your consideration, especially when you're making this kind of investment, which isn't small change.
As Bobbie said, a dealer can offer extended warranties past the manufacturers warranty if they so choose to do so. This, of course, is at the dealers expense should service ever be needed during that period of time. Unlike a customer who may have a small deposit on a guitar in waiting, a dealer has to pay thousands of dollars up front to stock the guitars he wants to put on his floor for sale. He not only has to wait his time to get the guitar, but he also has to wait for a time there after until it's sold before he will realize any of his investment back. If the dealer is knowledgable with his products, he will be able to perform just about anything the factory can do regarding special "setups" on a guitar, regardless of what that may be. In the case of Bobbe and myself, we don't just play these instruments, we also work on them, (any brand, not just Emmons,) and we can build one from the ground up if need be.
Despite what you might have heard and/or want to believe, authorized dealers will receive presidence from most manufactures, and the reason for that is because dealers order guitars "all the time" not just once or twice in their life time. For example, a customer might order a guitar or two, maybe up to three times in his life time resulting in approximately a $9000.00 to $10,000.00 investment. On the other hand, some of us dealers will spend that much on guitars in a single month, and if sales are good, every month. Figure that, X a years worth of sales, and the cash flow for a manufacturer is at a minimum... quite attractive. So to answer a question (or moreover an assumption)posted here... Do dealers get special consideration from manufacturers? Do the math. Do we get special treatment because we are "steel guitar stars?" Maybe in some wild fantasy dream we had about it!
I can't, and am not, speaking for all authorized steel guitar dealers here, however, I have no problem in admitting that stocking steel guitars at my store is probably one of the worst investments I make. Nonethleless, just like you, we have a deep love for the instrument that, (through some sort of imagined mental gymnastics,) makes it all worth it to us, despite what common sense should dictate.
I don't know about you, but I remember way back when I was looking to purchase a steel guitar, and I sure enjoyed going into a music store, (albeit few) and getting a "hands on" feeling with an instrument I was thinking of purchasing, same as with any other type of musician looking for a particular instrument of his liking. It goes without saying, steel guitar dealers these days are far and few between, and if they're not supported, well, it won't be long till buying a steel guitar from a dealer won't be an option. Point and case, we not only support our customers, but the manufacturers as well. We do this because we sincerely want to, and we put our money where our mouth is. On the contrary, my friends,where steel guitars and related equipment is the issue, we're not "middle men", not by a long shot, but in fact, we are one of this industries biggest investors and supporters.
Regarding what Mike Weirauch has said, what's to argue about? He not only supports a dealer, but also some of the manufacturers who don't have dealers, and he does this religiously. I didn't see Mike pointing any fingers at anyone. All Mike Weirauch said was "here's what I do, and/or have done," and is offering incontestable proof to substantiate what he said.
Although "price" is sometimes a concern, in my case, my customers don't buy steel guitars from me to see how cheap they can get it, but moreover, in knowing that should they encounter a problem, they can come to me and get it fixed "NOW", not a week or a month from now, but right now, (or at least in most cases.) The same can be said should some modifications be needed. We don't only stock the steels, we also stock the parts needed to do just about anything needed. In addition to that, we also stock just about every steel guitar accessory available. I know that Bobbie does this too, and that, my steel friends, is another huge investment in itself.
In any event, if you want to weigh the pros and cons of whether to buy direct, or from a dealer, listed here was a few things I think worthy of considering. This, of course does not apply to every brand of guitar, as some are not available to retail music dealers at any cost. However, those that are, you can bet that we have a sizeable investment in, and we have our reasons for doing so, be it personal, business, or otherwise.
"Where" and/or "who" you buy your guitar from isn't what's really important here. What is important is that you continue to buy from those invloved in the steel guitar industry, be it guitars, finger picks, or recordings, because with you supporting it, and generations after you, it will help to keep this industry alive.
I can already hear the stones hitting my windows here after saying this, however, I think if we would put as much effort into supporting this unique industry as some folks do condemning it, (and/or those involved in it) it would certainly be a heluvalot better place for everyone.
In any event, that's my home-grown philosophy on the subject here. <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Danny Hullihen on 21 January 2002 at 05:00 AM.]</p></FONT>
My comments were general in nature, and was just an observation of the industry. In any good business deal I look for results not promises. But , I do find it amusing that you feel the need to defend one brand all the time. I also think it's amusing that a company that sells direct to the public will charge you more for buying from them. How is it that a dealer can sell cheaper than the factory? Hmmmmm. Makes you wounder doesn't it. A wise old man once said,"An old building on the corner of the street does not a factory make". 
Hey buddy I'm with you. Get the best deal you can were ever you can. No harm in that. The fact that you were able to get a better deal from Bobbe than you or I could have from the factory speaks for it self! 
If your feelings got hurt I'm sorry. 
) This is simply because I have known him for a long time and have had prior dealings with him that were fair. I also understand that you need an industrial pair of hip waders when dealing with him 