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
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.
Post removed 
I understand and I respect your opinion.  I simply listed my suggestions for user guidelines that I thought were ethical and made common sense.
Sound advice/ suggestions from the OP.

I personally have no problem with dealers posting here at all especially if offering some of their actual equipment hands on/ ears on experience.

Some do push the boundaries I admit and from what I have seen they rightfully get pushback for it so all's fair.
I would add being honest and open minded is a precursor to establishing this two way venue.