What is going on? Is this some sort of scam?

Gary, we got a bunch of good geeky replies but noone answered the question
actually. Tsu asked about a lockstep operation, noone answered that question
either. I can say that I live near and have visited often Twombley Nursery on
the list. It is privately owned by some Twombleys. It is a woody plant
specialist with a fine reputation in New England. The other sites seem to be
New England oriented. I think you have an interesting question. Aside
fromTwombley, I have not heard of the other places and some (maybe all) seem to
be online suppliers. If Twombley is running under dozens of names, I would
think less of this nursery of previously justified fame. If not, what is the
answer? I have seen advert flyers in different parts of the country which are
identical so media services can be marketed whilst space is between the buyers
but the original question is a good one. BTW, Twombley does not do mail order.
Mike