How much do we at A'gon influence the industry?

On the industry, probably not much and not at all for some manufacturers.
On personal buying choices, it seems A'gon sometimes perpetuates "fads" where a couple of active posters are able to influence the buying choices of others.

I would be more interested in hearing about how much the American (i.e., USA) market influences the audio industry as a whole since I know the Asian market is very active and Europe also has a lot of audio users.  I know several USA manufacturers that do a significant overseas business - more than some would think.

To those of you who say No,nottah and zilch. I recently completed a long search and purchase for a speakers upgrade. This forum and others out there on the web guided me (Sure I did speak to my dealer as well.). 

I’m fortune to have landed with a PrimaLuna HP. That was web guided and landed. Look at their ads (also scads of others) and they site some web reviews. 

Othet than some tube rolling I’m not a flipper as staying married is preferable. I’ll just have to dream of mono blocks, exotic speaker wire, and a purpose built litesting room. 

Given my sixty plus years I’d think those in this age band would use the web for guidance less than the younger amongst us. 

I asked my my kids and some of their friends if they buy expensive stuff sight unseen off the web and they all said yes. 

Heck you can buy cars off the web so why not hifi after too many endless hours reading and pontificating. 

To the point 

Thinking forums don’t influence manufacturers in the hifi industry just isn’t so. I’m not just saying this. I know for a fact that in my industry (loathsome advertising) many company’s monitor forums specific to their businesses. Clicks is the world we live in when not tuning out to blissful music. 

As one one client put it “the forums are like having a focus group but with out having to pay for it.” And yes Virginia there are folks they read and folks they turn out. They also count everything. Everything. 

When you buy something often you are asked for a review. We are being just as watched as we are watching. Thanks Orwell. 

The ?s about audiogon maybe the above poster didnt read that part

I can't comment on audio manfactuers, although I bet the Corned Beef vs Pastrimi thread had the processed meats industry quite abuzz....

Even when not looking for new equipment I have always sought out HiFi related sites/review/forums. It took a long time before audiogon showed up in my search results.

I don't know if it is because I have visited or other factors have moved it up in search results, but know a search on 'audio forum' or 'HiFi forum' return audiogon on the first page (granted it is the last result).