I couldnt agree more. I almost always use a supporting vendor.
That being said, just because someone isnt a supporting vendor, that doesnt mean he isnt one of the best.
I had some major problems a few years ago with a supporting members build, to the point that I really lost interest in my ride & sold it some time later. This trans didnt work right from day one, and though this vendor tried, & tried, & tried he couldnt get it right. I know this can happen to anybody at any time but I really spent some time & $$ & it just never worked for me.
Anyhow, I still needed to have the trans repaired so upon the advice of a local T.R. club member I started over & went to Janis in Ohio. It was done on time, at the price quoted, ( the same as everyone else but it included many hardened & billet parts where theirs didnt) and worked great the first time & still working to this day. So there is an exception to every rule. I still use supporting members every chance I can but my #1 rule is only use Janis, supporting member or not.