Hey, Bill....no need to get on the offensive. Here is a link to the forum sponsors -->
http://metaldetectingforum.com/forum_sponsors.php
The manufacturers have vendors sign an agreement that they won't publish / write / or otherwise advertise a lower price than MSRP. The markup is minimal so although there is some wiggle room, its not a huge markup. The vendors are big corps, mostly average Joe's and Jane's that run a lil' shop. The "way it works" is you call them, tell 'em your from the forum, and they'll give you the best price they can offer -- an offer that is usually less than MSRP and/or includes a few freebies.
Minelab had a promotion going on (not sure when it ends or ended) that gave 15% off MSRP to all current and former US Military folks. This was a subsidized price to vendors, otherwise they could not sell detectors for that rate.
Anyhow, best of luck with the purchase and H/H! -David