Well, I gave up, and decided to just buy the 3808 from Best Buy, for $1099.
I almost didn't even stop, but did at the last minute on the way home. Walked in, first guy I saw (talked to him before, not sure if he remembered), all dressed up in his nice shirt and tie, asked if they would price match a call in price from an authorized dealer from another state. He wrote down the details- 6th Ave, 1099, told him it was special AVS pricing on a 3808. He was with another customer, so he passed it on to another employee I've talked to beforer and a blue shirt customer specialist with him. Apparently the specialist has first call on to match as he told them to just do it without finding a manager. They didn't even bother to look at the website or call the 800 number to verify the price.
Then they went to look up the model, and the specialist commented that it was an 08 and an 09 would be coming out soon anway...one of the Magnolia guys just looked at him and was like "uh, actually there is not going to be an 09 replacement for this one". Thought I might be in trouble at that point, but I heard him respond something about the 4308 and it being out for a year now. They called the GM to do the price override for a $600 discount, did two year financing, and I'll be getting certificates back (for movies).
I was out of there after about 20 minutes. Unfortunately they did not have one in stock, I could probably have had a demo one, not sure if they would have given more discounts or not, but I opted to pick up a new one next week. All in all I'm quite pleased, now I just hope the other dealer will take the Marantz back without a hassle (he did know I was demoing it against other receivers and I would possibly return it).
And, the icing on the cake, when I got home I had a BB mailer waiting for me for this weekend with coupons for additional financing or reward points. Bastards.
