Damned if I Do and Damed if I Don't

Tpsonic: Without starting a lynch mob, it would have probably been more appropriate to state that you sell these products at the time of recommending them than when decided to retract that recommendation. Having said that, at least you made this point evident, albeit two months later.

I'm not trying to get down on you personally, but i think that most Agon users would like to think of most recommendations coming from satisfied customers, not a "shill". The fact that you clarified the situation and did so in both a cautionary and honest fashion tells me that your initial recommendation came out of respect for the product, not for your own monetary motivations. Sean
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I am a very ,very small dealer for Walker Audio {Silent Source/Omega Mikro},Mapleshade and Red Rose.I have connections around the industry,which I use to help those people who have caught this passionate "bug".I prefer to call things as I see them.This has caught me a lot of guff and I hear it from the manufacturers also.But,let us call a spade ,a spade.I have worked in audio stores and have spent time in several recording studios.I truly like what I hear using the Omega Mikros.They don't give a hoot about being practical or overly durable.The sound comes first.This has driven me to endless distraction.I try to convey this to my customers.It is a love/hate relationship.Maybe one of my customers will throw in their two cents on this issue.I clear about 3K a year in sales.If this should disqualify me from voicing my opinion,then let fellow AudioGoner voice their opinion.If that is the decision,so be it.My humble apologies to anyone who feels misleaded or deceived. Tom

Tpsonic, I think Sean's point is fair. No need to abandon this site. Starting a post with some indication that you are in the business keeps you above board. Duke is a great example, he regularly contibutes his most welcome opinions, yet always points out that he a pro.

Fair enough.I will make a disclosure before submitting my opinions,as long as I still sell audio.The Omegas are the one product that I will support and defend,regardless.

Tp: As Unsound stated, i wasn't trying to stifle input to these forums from professionals so much as trying to encourage "full disclosure". After all, knowing where someone is coming from can be just as helpful as the information provided. Since professionals are exposed to many similar products, their comments have the ability to carry more weight / offer wider levels of insight than comments coming from someone less experienced. As such professional recommendations ARE encouraged, but so is honesty and being up-front. Otherwise, you run into situations where shills are drumming up sales for products that they are affiliated with. This happened with Plinius over at AA.

To take that a step further, some professionals even go so far as to recommend products that they don't carry. Even though they may not sell them, they know that these products do have their place and may work for the situation being discussed. As Unsound mentioned, Duke at AudioKinesis is a prime example of how "professionals" can be a GREAT asset to these forums while being completely straight-up about their affiliations. As such, please don't take my comments as being "condemning" or trying to push you or other professionals away. They weren't meant that way at all. Sean
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