They have been setting up a dealer network for about 2 years now; its been slow going as they are rather cautious.

They never had a flat fee that Im aware of, I suspect you are thinking of a dealer down in GA that ripped off their name. Good luck trying to get product also!
The true ZR site is in Oregon so $10 to the East Coast isnt bad. They would ship from there only if the customer wanted it that way. Now it is strictly thru the dealers.