These seem like reasonable suggestions. It is annoying to read certain users who repeatedly complain about dealers who post here. Audiogon rules clearly allow dealer participation. While there may be some dealers whose advice is not especially useful, the same can be said of some of the hobbyists here. And I'm being kind.
My Thoughts re: Dealers Posting on Audiogon
I originally posted this in a thread in the Speakers forum. It's more appropriate here:
As a former audio dealer and long time Audiogon member who has walked the tightrope I will say that, while I do not have a problem with dealers posting on Audiogon, I do feel that there are some basic rules that should be observed, both by the dealer and by everyone else:
For dealers:
1- Clearly announce that you are a dealer
2- Try to be helpful, objective and educational
3- Understand that an Audiogon forum IS NOT a sales venue
4- If you mention or recommend on of your products, mention again that you are a dealer for this product so that it's clearly understood that you have a finalcial interest in your recommendation
5- Don't trash the competition or other brands
For Audiogon members:
6- Don't complain about dealers posting in Audiogon forums. They are A'gon members like anyone else. If you don't want to read dealer posts them just don't read them
7- Just because a dealer makes a recommendation in which he/she has a financial interest does not automatically make it a bad recommendation. If the dealer comment is in the spirit of the discussion and or answers a question then it's probably appropriate, IMO
8- Dealers, well *many* dealers, have a lot of experience that most just audiophiles do not have. If a dealer is posting to be helpful to the group and not just trying to sell stuff then take advantage of that experience. Their answers to your questions will guide you as to whether they are interested in being helpful members of the Audiogon community or just pushing gear.
I hope that this is helpful guidance. Just my opinions...
As a former audio dealer and long time Audiogon member who has walked the tightrope I will say that, while I do not have a problem with dealers posting on Audiogon, I do feel that there are some basic rules that should be observed, both by the dealer and by everyone else:
For dealers:
1- Clearly announce that you are a dealer
2- Try to be helpful, objective and educational
3- Understand that an Audiogon forum IS NOT a sales venue
4- If you mention or recommend on of your products, mention again that you are a dealer for this product so that it's clearly understood that you have a finalcial interest in your recommendation
5- Don't trash the competition or other brands
For Audiogon members:
6- Don't complain about dealers posting in Audiogon forums. They are A'gon members like anyone else. If you don't want to read dealer posts them just don't read them
7- Just because a dealer makes a recommendation in which he/she has a financial interest does not automatically make it a bad recommendation. If the dealer comment is in the spirit of the discussion and or answers a question then it's probably appropriate, IMO
8- Dealers, well *many* dealers, have a lot of experience that most just audiophiles do not have. If a dealer is posting to be helpful to the group and not just trying to sell stuff then take advantage of that experience. Their answers to your questions will guide you as to whether they are interested in being helpful members of the Audiogon community or just pushing gear.
I hope that this is helpful guidance. Just my opinions...
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- 93 posts total
These seem like reasonable suggestions. It is annoying to read certain users who repeatedly complain about dealers who post here. Audiogon rules clearly allow dealer participation. While there may be some dealers whose advice is not especially useful, the same can be said of some of the hobbyists here. And I'm being kind. |
The Gold Standard of dealer posts is Audiokinesis aka Duke Lejuene who is always extraordinarily informative, on point, and modest to a fault. Even after I figured out he was the owner of Audiokinesis it was hard to believe because even when covering subjects directly related to his products he talks about the principles and only mentions his own when its relevant, ie someone has brought it up first. Its kind of surprising dealers post at all. It seems to me it can hardly be worth it for the flak they take. When in fact we would be smart to encourage them and study what they have to say. Even if for whatever reason we disagree. I'll use an example from something completely different so you can see how its exactly the same. Porschephiles have RennList. When it comes to Porsche engine reliability, power and engineering probably no one in the country has more hands on knowledge than Jake Raby. Do a search, see what I mean. Yet when he takes the time to tell us what's really going on inside our engine's what happens? He gets dumped on. It should be clear I'm not talking about professionals hawking their wares. Anyone doing that deserves as much criticism as we can throw at him. As long as they're providing info to the best of their abilities though I say thank you sir, thank you very much. |
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millercarbon It should be clear I’m not talking about professionals hawking their wares. Anyone doing that deserves as much criticism as we can throw at him.And those posts - "as much criticism as we can throw at them" - are often deleted by the moderators, and rightly so. What you describe is abusive. This is a forum where everyone gets to express their views, within the rules established by Audiogon. Complaints about users here should be directed to the moderators, either by flagging the posts or directly through the "Contact Us" link. Either way, I have found them quite responsive. |
- 93 posts total