2. misc-audio
  3. 150258-3852

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...
br3098
br3098 OP
995 posts
 
But IMHO, all dealers should be banned from the forums.
viridian, why is that?


Post removed 
gdnrbob
4,447 posts
 
Dealers should offer their advice- which I hope is based on experience, but should not try to promote the brands they sell.
Though the brands they sell might be superior, listing it as superior just isn't right.
It's kind of like saying 'Everything I say is the truth and everyone who disagrees is a wrong'.
Bob
br3098 OP
995 posts
 
It’s impossible, for me, to discern where the commercial interests start and the sage advice ends.
viridian, I understand your concern but I thing that banning all dealers is a bit of an overreaction.  Sure, some dealers cross the line.  So so some hobbyists a la "buy the same speakers I own.  I've never listened to anything else but they're the best in the world!"  So who gets to decide what is good advise and what's not?  I say that each one of us does.  As I said in my post, if a dealer clearly identifies him/her self (I'm still waiting to meet the her) then you can decide to read the comment or not.  Isn't that better than an outright ban?

If a dealer posts without identifying themselves as such that's another matter and probably warrants action from the forum moderators.  Again, all in my opinion.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
cleeds bloviates:
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.

No cleeds, criticism is criticism. Abuse is not criticism. This is exactly why we have so many different words. Each and every single one has its own precise meaning. Just because you can imagine something does not mean you get to tell me what I meant. I meant criticism. Like this. Criticising you for blaming me for something I did not do, based entirely on your own erroneous understanding of the meaning of words.

To continue with my example of cricism, there is a term for individuals who cannot understand the written word. That word is illiterate. You in other words would seem to be illiterate. Technically, illiteracy means one who cannot read the words. So perhaps you are not technically illiterate. There is however also reading comprehension. The ability to not just say the words but understand their meaning. Certainly beyond a shadow of a doubt your comment demonstrates extremely poor reading comprehension.

This is criticsm, cleeds. Not abuse. Criticsm. All the criticsm I am able to throw at you. Because you deserve it. For saying my perfectly sensible post is abusive and deserves to be removed.

Is it abusive to say you might well want to consider getting and using a dictionary? Could be. Maybe you consider learning abusive too. Would go a long ways to understanding some of the stuff you write.
More to discover