Is it more expensive to buy directly from Apple?

Excuse me, I'm just curious, but is it actually more costly to make a purchase straight from Apple compared to other retailers or resellers? I've heard differing opinions on this matter and would like to know if there's a definitive answer. Is it true that the price tag attached to an Apple product when bought directly from the company is generally higher than if I were to buy it from a third-party seller? And if so, could you explain the reasoning behind this possible price discrepancy? Thank you in advance for clarifying this for me.