I have no clue what you do but with being in business that long I'm going to assume (and possibly make an ass out of myself) that you were not in the Pool industry.
So how many customers a day did you get trying to get something for nothing from you on a daily basis? Because it is probably upward of 100 at the doors to the expo (or anything other pool event) on any given day.
The OP didn't try to get "something for nothing," (why this myth is sticking in this thread, I don't know).
None of my customers, with possible a few exceptions, tried to get something for nothing. But a few couldn't or didn't follow the "rules" for ordering online, or whatever, and I HELPED THEM GET THROUGH THE PROCESS, so they could get their stuff and be happy. I certainly didn't just say: "YOU figure it out and just follow the instructions you dishonest hack trying to get something for nothing." It's hard enough GETTING customers, but mindlessly and lazily throwing them to the competition is really stupid business.
The (former) customer and the owners can do anything they want, so I hope each is happy with that. That's business in action.
Jeff Livingston