Let’s talk about a scenario you might not be familiar with. Picture this: A manufacturer wants to break into a promising local market. Instead of setting up shop right away, they partner with a local dealer—someone with deep ties to the community, an understanding of customers, and the hustle to get the brand noticed. The dealer does all the heavy lifting: investing in marketing, training staff, educating customers, and essentially introducing the product to the neighborhood. It feels like a mutually beneficial partnership at first. But once the market heats up and sales start taking off, the manufacturer suddenly opens their own store, sometimes just a few blocks down. With their corporate might, they quickly overshadow the dealer who brought them there in the first place, forcing that dealer out of business.
If this sounds like a plot twist you’d see in a business exposé, that’s because it’s the kind of underhanded tactic many of us hope would only happen behind closed doors. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: It’s happening right now. We’re aware of at least one manufacturer currently using dealers to identify “hot” markets and then sweeping in to take over once the hard work is done. We’re not going to name names at the moment, but rest assured, these strategies are out there—and they’re shaking the trust that should form the backbone of our industry.
Why does this matter? Well, it matters because trust is everything in the long run. The relationship between a dealer and a manufacturer should be a partnership built on mutual respect and shared goals. Dealers aren’t just sales agents; they’re ambassadors who speak to customers face-to-face, answer tough questions, and build loyalty. They’re the ones who invest their time, money, and reputation into growing a brand’s presence locally. When a manufacturer uses a dealer simply to do market “beta testing”—getting a feel for demand, learning what sells, building brand recognition—and then cuts them loose once the market is established, it’s not just unethical. It’s a breach of trust that can have ripple effects throughout the entire marketplace.
Think about what happens next. Local dealers talk to each other, and word spreads fast. Suddenly, fewer people want to partner with that manufacturer because who wants to invest in a brand that might turn around and cut them out? Consumers may notice too, because the friendly local business that introduced them to this great new product is replaced by a faceless corporate outlet. Even if customers don’t fully understand the behind-the-scenes drama, they sense something is off. The personal touch they appreciated disappears. The unique knowledge and community connection that the dealer provided is gone. Over time, these underhanded tactics can erode consumer confidence, reduce the diversity of local businesses, and harm the community spirit that makes local shopping experiences special.
At Wickedly Awesome, we believe in doing things differently. We want an ecosystem where dealers, manufacturers, and customers all thrive—together. From our point of view, creating a sustainable marketplace is about playing the long game. That means establishing clear, honest relationships from the start. Dealers who invest in our brands should feel secure, knowing they won’t be replaced by a corporate storefront the second things start to look promising.
Here’s how we’re ensuring that doesn’t happen in our community:
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Transparent Agreements: Before we enter any partnership, we make sure everyone knows what to expect. We set out clear terms that protect the dealer’s interests, and we hold our manufacturing partners to high standards. This includes explicit language preventing the kind of market takeover tactics we’ve seen elsewhere.
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Collaborative Growth Strategies: Instead of using dealers as stepping stones, we treat them like the valued partners they are. When a dealer identifies a hot market, we use that data to help everyone flourish, not just one party. If there’s room for expansion, we discuss it with our dealers. Maybe that means bringing in additional products or even helping them open a second location. Maybe it means careful coordination with a manufacturer to increase supply without stepping on toes. The point is, we work together to ensure that growth lifts all boats.
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Nurturing Local Relationships: We recognize that dealers are often rooted in their communities. They know the customers by name, understand local tastes, and can adapt more quickly to feedback than a distant corporate office ever could. We support these local entrepreneurs by giving them the tools, training, and marketing support they need to excel. When our dealers succeed, it’s good for them, good for the manufacturers who supply them, and good for the customers who enjoy consistent, personalized service.
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Holding Manufacturers Accountable: We don’t just assume the best; we do our homework. We vet our manufacturing partners carefully, looking for evidence that they’ll play fair. If we find that a manufacturer is engaging in cutthroat tactics or has a history of pushing dealers aside, we’ll walk away. Our reputation and our commitment to fairness mean more to us than any short-term gain.
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Preserving Consumer Trust: At the end of the day, the people who walk through the door matter most. They want to trust that the products they buy and the companies they support are doing right by their communities. By fostering an environment where no one is exploited, we maintain the kind of integrity that keeps customers coming back. When people see local dealers thriving alongside manufacturers, it reassures them that the businesses in their neighborhood care about fair play and long-term relationships.
Some might say that what we’re describing is just good business sense. We agree. When dealers, manufacturers, and consumers all benefit, everyone wins. The only parties who lose are the ones relying on deceitful shortcuts. By refusing to name names, we’re not sweeping the issue under the rug—we’re making a point. This isn’t about calling out one company; it’s about changing the culture. We want the entire industry to understand that these tactics might help one player “win” in the short term, but they ultimately undermine the trust and collaboration that make for a healthy marketplace.
At Wickedly Awesome, we’re committed to protecting that marketplace. We’re not here to watch good dealers get squeezed out by bigger players. We’re here to create an environment where honesty, respect, and shared success are the norm. As far as we’re concerned, that’s the only way to do business that truly stands the test of time.