All is true to some point. I guess it depends on your local hobbyshop because some will refuse to order unless it comes from Horizon or Great Planes. Alot of companies sell to the public outright, some use a distributor, and some actually do both like lets say Custom Works and Trinity.
Not everyone has access to a great hobbyshop either. I'm fortunate my shop owner will order from anyplace if I need something because he has know me for years and if I order something special I will pay for it whether I still need it or not.
IMO great hobbyshops are hard to find. We have lots of franchise shops but that don't mean they are good and to be honest I find most of the franchise places don't have people that know about alot of the hobbies they sell.