What happened to the "club atmosphere" of Audiogon?

Been on this site for many years ... the only time I had a problem buying used components was when a seller forgot to pack the carpet spikes with the purchased speakers... he then mails me eight sharp spikes in a regular paper envelope.. envelope came torn with zero spikes. When I informed the seller he blamed me for his ineptitude ( I will spare you his expletives as I don’t think the PTB will post this if I do). I continue to purchase from dealers and independent manufacturers that post on this site. I live the discussions, sharing information, reviews  and opinions shared here.

I first joined Audiogon so I could buy stuff. I've more recently been
a regular poster and am enjoying stepping out some,getting my feet wet. I'm not tech savvy so have been judicious in my posts but certainly appreciate those people who have strong backgrounds in the audio world and I find a certain sense of kindred spirit here that 
has helped me progress in my audio endeavors. Certainly a good healthy benevolent approach prevails among members......I've gotten good help directly and also by just reading threads that applied to something I might want to know.  I don't have a veterans perspective here so I understand the frustration of long time members,but my
perspective may give a balance to the frustration and show that newer members are getting good rewards and good vibes along the way. This being said I also recognize that some threads degrade into mud slinging and harsh tone.......O well such is thread life everywhere. For what it's worth,I just last night joined Audio Circle.
It's a whole different thing over there.....my first impressions are mixed so it may be just an adjustment period,but lots of rules,can't search on this site,or do that,a more distinct and structured initiation than I found here. Initiation here is way less formal ......you jump in and off you go....  After my start at AC and subsequent checking things out earlier today....I must say I felt I'd come back home just to click for Audiogon.......a comfortable place. Much more to say but word escaping me for now.......I guess in a long rambling way I'm saying I like it here . I hope for the more battle-worn members it might be a good thing to hear stuff like this,as have other members 
also expressed their positive thoughts.    

I agree with the poster of this thread. I have sold a lot of equipment and bought a lot as well, here on Audiogon. Over the past 2 years, whenever I post an item for sale, I get ridiculous offers, usually half of what I am asking. One guy in particular squeezed me so hard, I just gave up and gave it away to him. I sold a 1970.00 Tuner that I was asking 500.00 for to this guy for 400.00 and he insisted I pay shipping and insurance. It was only going to New Jersey from Rhode Island, so I reluctantly agreed Tuners are a hard sell these days so that is the reason I sold it low. Then the buyer accuses me of selling a broken unit to him so I told him to ship it back and I would refund the money. After a few days, the buyer asks if I will discount it more money and he would send it to the manufacturer to be updated. To make a long story short, He got a 1970.00 tuner for 300.00 which I paid shipping on. Lucky for me, that was the last piece I had for sale so I won’t be selling anymore on here. That sale left such a bad taste in my mouth that I would rather gift an item to someone than sell it.