.I think it is a poor business practice to allow this../QUOTE]
Then I guess LL Bean, Nordstroms, and Amazon are a bunch of fools as well.
You're correct that there are some who will abuse such a practice, but it does serve many consumers well, for reasons that others have already pointed out. Eagle Optics themselves have offered no information to support your speculative analysis of their decision to close up shop.
Bill
CameralandNY, Cabelas, and EuroOptic can be added to that list. gunut continues to be out in left field on most topics.