"Ebay this, Audiogon that". Let's face some facts. I bet if you were to look at the "good to bad transaction" relationship between AudioGon and Ebay, it wouldn't surprise me if the numbers (on a percentage basis) were close. One must also consider the size of the Ebay community vs. the Agon community. Two completely different worlds.
I have been using and enjoying this site for a while now. I have seen a significant number of transactions go stale.
Integrity is a quality that must be assured by the individuals involved in the transaction. What medium is used as the vehicle for that specific transaction is irrelevant.
I have developed relationships, both on a professional and personal basis, utilizing both (and other) websites. I have found that in every case, if I conducted myself in a professional, courteous manner, and treated people with respect, I received the same in return. I have had over 40 transactions between Ebay and Agon. I have never had a single issue.
Maybe, I've been "overly fortunate". But, I would like to continue thinking in this same manner until of course someone sticks it up my GiGi. Then I would possibly have to reevaluate my method of thinking.
In terms of Agon people being more intelligent, I'm not sure I could put much value in that statement. I will say that the majority of us "Agonr's are a little more passionate about our hobby. But does that make us more intelligent?
In fact, if you really think about it, most of us would probably be willing to spend over $500 on a power cord.
How intelligent does that make us? :)