Barry,
I never said that Home Depot sells everything at a 6% markup.
As for the two tool houses you frequent, no, their employees (the few they have) don't donate their time. The owners don't live in tents. And they are not charities. I never implied that they were.
I do, however, have a few questions for you.
Where do you do your comparison shopping on Ridgid and Ryobi?
What advantage would any company have in selling their product to only one distributor?
If Home Depot is the only retailer of Ridgid and Ryobi what would be the purpose in selling those brands at a 6% markup?
Are you a contractor?
Do you sell tools?
Do you work for Home Depot?
Do you work for TTI?
Do you work for Ridgid, Ryobi, or Milwaukee?
How many different models of the major manufacturers do your 2 little guys have?
How many tools do your 2 little guys have that Home Depot doesn't have?
What other services do your 2 little guys offer that Home Depot Doesn't offer?
Look, people, I'm not here trying to get you to buy any particular brand of tool. Ridgid, Ryobi, Craftsman, Chicago Electric, Emmerson, and any of these other cheaply made power tools have their place. That is, in the hands of homeowners and not in the hands of contractors and serious woodworkers. I really believe that Home Depot doesn't care one bit how much they rip off the american public. I know (and the knowledge is out there) these lesser, cheaply made tools (ESPECIALLY Ridgid) are in some cases being posed as equal in if not superior in quality to the tools put out by the major manufacturers. Ridgid power tools are of the same caliber as CHEAP Black and Decker tools with one exception.... Black and Decker knows their $39.00 circular saw is a $39.00 circular saw and they sell it as such.