I learned this lesson when trying to acquire some teak furniture and an outdoor wicker set for a home in Michigan. At the time we were shopping in north suburban Chicago. We found brand-named items we liked, but the prices caused the rapid onset of indigestion.
In that we had the names, suites, models, fabrics, etc., I decided to shop around online. I found a great place in North Carolina called Black Lion <
http://blacklion.com/> We were able to save about 40% from the best price we were being quoted in Chicago. That was for premium quality synthetic wicker furniture. You may run into some circumstances where the manufacturer is strong-arming the re-sellers to sell only at MSRP. If that happens, just keep shopping. Sooner or later you'll make a connection. Black Lion charges no sales tax and ships (at very reasonable cost) using LTL movers who deliver when they accumulate a load in your area. This might take as long as 2-3 weeks, but often delivery is sooner.
We just bought a large teak cushion storage chest for our lanai from another re-seller in North Carolina. It was made by the same manufacturer in England that made our furniture. Savings? Fifty percent from the best price I could find in Orlando, even including the shipping cost!
For appliances, I still use exactly the same store I've used for over 20 years...Abt Appliance & Electronics in Glenview, IL <
http://www.abt.com/>. They'll beat any price you'll find locally, don't charge sales tax, and will ship free using "white glove service". (That means they carry the item into your house, unpack it, set it up and get it working and then remove all the boxes and packing material back to their truck.) Abt's prices even beat Costco or Sam's. If you want a real live salesman's name who will give you both good advice and good prices, send me a private message.