Post anything that doesn't belong in any other forum, including gaming and topics unrelated to motorsport. Site specific discussions should go in the site feedback forum.
Yes, manufacturers will sell to the general public. However, you may want to find a distributor of their product instead because the factory won't discount the items as dealers will. If you are having trouble finding a product, go ahead and call the manufacturer's sales department and tell them what you want and where you are and they will direct you to a dealer/distributor.
As for shipping costs weight is the primary cost determinant. If what you are looking at is larger than you are, size will become a factor as well. If you have the relevant dimensions and weight, go to UPS's website and plug them into their program to get a close estimate of the cost.
Cheers!
Heaven: Where the cooks are French, the police are British, the lovers are Greek, the mechanics are German, and it is all organized by the Swiss.
Hell: Where the cooks are British, the police are German, the lovers are Swiss, the mechanics are French, and it is all organized by the Greeks.