You'll notice the answers are all over the board as far as what is a rule and what might be. So much of it has to do with region, anticipated sales, and your local competition.
If a shop has no competition and a desirable location, a manufacturer might place $5000 worth of stock on consignment over 180days. in another region, an LDS could spend so much with a manufacturer, that he demands the manufacturer give him a 50mile no compete zone.
Other challenges are in the way you have to purchase. Zeagle, Atomic, Bare and Liquivision are now all owned by Huish. If you were a Zeagle dealer, you are now pressured to become a dealer for the other products was well, even though you may have competitive product in place. Still even crazier is the sales model. Some manufacturers have direct sales reps, some farm it our to regional sales groups. It can be very nepotistic, to say the least!!