Having no intermediaries between the buyer and seller is a defining characteristic of a(n) ________ marketing channel.

A) indirect
B) vertical
C) horizontal
D) two-step
E) direct

A direct marketing channel is defined as having no intermediaries between the buyer and seller. Indirect channels involve intermediaries such as wholesalers or retailers, while vertical and horizontal channels refer to the relationships between different levels or types of intermediaries. A two-step channel involves an intermediary such as a distributor or sales agent. Therefore, the best choice for this question is E, direct.