Markups of 35-50% are normal for retail. LBS's have a tough time with high rentals, etc. and like other retailers are subject to the same pressure other retailers face, i.e. large chainstores or internet sales sites like CRC will always kill them on price. The problem I think lies with the distributors....they are buying components direct from source and are either importing inefficiently, or over pricing their goods (they do after all have a hold on the market if they are sole distributors).
