Why preference to the international store?

Not a preference, just the way it worked out. Empeg UK had all the carrying cases in stock. Since only a small number of cases remain, it made sense just to leave them there.

Also, the cases have the "empeg" name on them. I know that we don't care about the embroidery, but I would think SonicBlue would prefer to sell products with their own brand name on them.