well bbforks, i'd like to say "your welcome"
i dont mind comming here and discussing things based on my opinions, it helps keep my brain functioning hehe ;o)

but comming from a dealer stance side of things i dont ever see this happening what Mike is proposing. The automotive industry even though very similar to ours, it still is a different game all together and always will be. What we serve as a roll in society isnt as broadly based as the automotive side and i dont see anyone opening up a public aftermarket parts store for forklift parts do you? Aftermarket parts can be obtained openly through a dealership by anyone that wants them.
As for privilidged information on 'how to fix' a forklift? I highly doubt "all" of the information will ever be released, us dealerships have the right to survive too you know ;o) If we gave away all our "trade secrets" then we wouldnt survive now would we?

Any "service ended" business has been this way for as long as i've been in this business, it's always been way. The ability to get information has always been about "how resourceful" a tech can be and also about "who you know". I have many connections outside of the dealership venue that are very helpful at times and i use them to benefit my ability to perform my job everyday. As long as i have this i hope i will always be the "good" technition that i am today.
Its a dog eat dog world out there and we all have to live in it and deal with it on a day to day basis. As long as there are people out there that base thier business solely on thier ability to make money you will always have those that are not willing to help others. I myself am not "all about the money" so i dont mind helping those that are trying to help themselves, but there are limits as to how far i will go with that , I have to survive too ;o)