AudiogoN Inception Date?

Audiogon was founded in 1996 by Arnie and a couple investors. The site became very successful, but the forums became quite a problem for the monitor or lack thereof. In about 1998 or ’99 they shut the site down completely for a few weeks. They contacted twelve of the most active members (the dirty dozen), I unfortunately do not remember who all was part of that.

Anyway, we as a group re-organized the forums to be close to what they are now. Prior to that is was crazy, we tried a huge number of different ideas, all that made things worse.

It must have been around 2002 or 03 that Arnie sold the business to investors, that was when ad fees came into place. They have increased ever since and have driven a few of us away from the site. Despite the crazy fee structure and the complete lack of trust in their members, Audiogon is still a great site with an active selling site as well as forum.

JD

10-15-14: Jadem6
It must have been around 2002 or 03 that Arnie sold the business to investors, that was when ad fees came into place. They have increased ever since and have driven a few of us away from the site.

Thanks for the history lesson JD. I remember when they first started charging fees. It was still a great place for a long time.

I am one of those who have been driven away. I won't give them my credit card for their file, not after all of the Target, Home Depot, etc., scandals.

I can no longer access my home page, but occasionally I can still sneak into the forums to post. I'm sure one day that loophole will be closed too. Arrivederci AudiogoNe

Jmmcgrogan, you're just being too paranoid, what's wrong with you! Getting our credit cards on file is somehow a "benefit" for users or has that facade finally faded? I certainly would hate to see agon getting shortchanged on their cut, I get that, but you ain't getting my CC info on your file.

You guys better figure something else out. There is no way, no how going forward I am going to risk my credit/personal information to online vendors for their/my convenience ESPECIALLY in light of the recent breaches with some of the major league players. There is no sanctuary anywhere in the cyberworld we live in today. You better figure out a better way, that model is dead and you're too late to the game to start playing. I'm already concerned about my Amazon account and have considered changing CC's to avoid any potential problems in the future.

This may have been the dirty dozen. Jmcgroan2 were you one?
Trelja
Redkiwi
Dekay
Albertporter
Cornfedboy
Gregm
Sean
Bob_bundus
Garfish
Tvad
Ozzy
Jadem6

I joined in 2005 and learned a lot on this forum.
Here is a very recent thread where AlbertPorter lists many old time audiogoners:

Old Time Audiogoners