I installed them and wired them up myself, sourced the panels carefully, and piggy-backed my order on a large shipment for a 4MW community solar array to get a bulk discount.

The big guys, Home Depot, Lowes, Best Buy,   never stock anything & totally depend on direct factory shipments.   

The wholesaler fulfills a pivotal role in ensuring that the manufacturer has sufficient liquidity to continue to operate its machinery/run its factories while the goods are being distributed in relatively small shipments to retail sellers. 

@Julie WalkerHere’s the exact same unit I recently installed in a house I’m currently remodeling. https://www.budgetairsupply.com/icp-carrier-grandaire-model-2-ton-14-seer-heat-pump-split-system/If you do order from them just make sure inspect it really well, because they do get damaged in shipment.

 He emailed me last night saying" I and very sorry for the late response I am not used to checking this email as I only receive junk here and phone still not in due to weather backing up shipment etc.

It's not a million but I have ALOT of various shipments coming.I have all orders via email. 

But it seems sleazy to me, reminds tangentially of the infomercial scam where they give you the first month of product for free but you have to sign up for the recurring monthly shipment.

He will ask you to pay $1500 USD upfront and then insist on sending you funding package by shipment not electronically.

I have moved ahead of other permits, caught failed shipments, and gotten sub contractors to switch their schedules all from just giving a brief friendly check in 1-3 times a day or a week before I am expecting the given service or delivery.

Each time they call (if the company picks up or ever returns our calls), all they say is that they are waiting for other shipments to move with theirs.