Economic efficiency takes precedence over sentiment. Problem is, more often than not, attempts to cut out you middlemen prove to be shortsighted. It's relatively easy to sell around the wholesaler, but it's impossible to eliminate the functions of a wholesaler. Someone has to distribute goods to a mass marketplace. Someone has to offer credit and collect the money.
Someone has to troubleshoot faulty products and process returns.
Someone has to decide among a vast array of products which ones will appeal to the greatest number of people in a given market. Someone has to help market those products. Someone has to stock the goods and keep track of them. Someone has to introduce new products and train installers in their use. Someone has to recommend which products to use to customers who are unsure or don't care.