About users with hidden agendas

I think it's pretty rare now when a dealer doesn't declare himself as one.

I would expect a dealer to always disclose this information. I see them do it frequently. If I thought someone was I would ask a none threatening / question about it. 
 

Actually I did the other day. Someone made the most absurd claim about cost having noting to do with performance. I just asked what his equipment was. He then said he manufactures it… and disclosed everything.

Vested interest makes a difference. When I got out of grad school I understood the concept. But, I always thought it was a very conscious process… it is not. I then spent nearly 40 years managing… line people, world-wide projects, and working among executive teams… it is not… it is typically 100% subconscious and frequently the higher the “intelligence” of the person (frequently accompanied by low EQ… and low self examination) and it is 100% invisible to the person. It was for me in early life… it takes real work to see it… and a high EQ. This is why it is such a big deal. Vested interest completely changes your values. Also drives a lot of egos on this site… because folks worked hard and value the system they put together… so the KNOW.

Praise in public.

Chew in private.

👍 +1

A selfless lack of agenda is what makes for a great forum IMO. Any hidden sell agenda is equal to politics in professional sports - utterly gross.

Is it not human nature though, how many pontificate as a means to justify their choices whether they’re in the business or not?

i suspect there are numerous industry people who post here, with their biases and agendas hidden, giving people ’advice’... some properly self identify... many do not -- 'tis one of the big problems on an anonymous forum like this, where things go by the honor system...

... but often people are dishonorable

so a word to the wise here, especially newbies, please beware when folks here are trying to ’help’ you by recommending x-y-z, be it equipment, tweaks, cables, fuses ... sometimes they are actually helping themselves even though it looks like they are being generous and kind

so click the username, see the details, see their system, see their a-gon user feedback as buyer or seller (don't have any?  beware...), see and carefully past posts -- see where they are coming from...

if one comes here naive and lazy, one can and will ’get played’