Dealers hijacking the discussions

@brf. When the moderators aren't doing what should be done then someone has to.

PS you're still wrong ;)

I personally feel that full disclosure should be in the poster's handle or forum name as this keeps things straight.

I did not have to come on as a company name but, hey, it's only correct, IMO. And IME.

We have never complained to moderators or asked to have posts removed.

You guys need to realize there are many actual shills on these sites with direct links to manufacturers or dealers.

You guys also need to realize that dealers base their sales decisions on sometimes what they believe in or on what they think will sell.

We have always chosen products based on two principles sound quality and value.

What  you think of as shilling or trolling is trying to draw attention to prouducts that might also be an excellent fit for the OP. 

As mentioned before the chance to actually sell these products is low.

What is wrong with suggesting options that the OP wasnt thinking about?

I can assure you our mention would have been brief but then Gr4blu comes in and bam.

The forum is supposed to be an open exchange.

Lets say you were in the market for a new Dac $15k and some dealer suggested dac x and after you researched said hey this dac hits all my buttons and you get to hear it and it sounds better and costs less would you be better off or not?  
Information and opinions should all be considered valid.

How do you learn unless you are open?

I don't mind dealer participation in the least, AS LONG AS THEY DISCLOSE THEY ARE A DEALER.  Caps fully intended.  

For me personally, once I put 2+2 together and figure out a poster is a dealer subtly pushing an agenda, they've lost me.  I mentally and visually ignore their posts as if they're not even there, and they've lost me as a potential customer. 

And yes, I've also been solicited directly by dealers through the messaging system after posting in a thread.  

"As mentioned before the chance to actually sell these products is low."

I can easily believe that. Seems to me that very few actually take the advice that is offered here anymore, excepting fuses, DIY power cords, tweaks, and a certain brand of speakers and one of power conditioners.

audiotroy: Outside of the members that actually visit your store (it appears that the success rate is relatively high then), what would you say is the rate of success from your recommendations directly addressing a member’s gear-selection situation being followed by the subject member or even influencing their purchase decisions?

Dave