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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
tobor007's avatar
tobor007
135 posts
 
I think the best policy would was suggested by the original poster
For dealers:
1- Clearly announce that you are a dealer

Obviously people do buy equipment based on advise given at Audiogon. I do go to trusted brick and mortar stores for information and purchases. However, I know they are a dealer and are employed to sale their products primarily, which is fine because I can check out other products elsewhere. Some dealers are very honest and helpful here, others are not. I would think trustworthy dealers would be fine with a disclosure policy.
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cleeds
5,947 posts
 
bigkidz
I would like Audiogon to have a notification on my user name where it would indicate manufacturer and for dealers, dealer.
That seems like a great idea. Wouldn't that make pretty much everyone happy?
big_greg
6,623 posts
 
Dealers and manufacturers can be a great resource.  They can and should know a lot more than the average enthusiast.  All the dealers I've met with near me have been very helpful and they are all enthusiasts who love music and this hobby.  I went on a record crawl with one of our local dealers last weekend and had a lot of fun.

It's great when they make time to share their knowledge and educate people.  These are givers.  When all they do is talk up their products and use these forums to aggressively push their products, they are takers.  If someone is a giver, I'm more likely to trust them and reach out to them if I'm considering a purchase.  I don't trust takers.  I actively avoid them. 

That may not bother you, but by the tone of numerous posts I've seen about this issue, it clearly rubs many forum members the wrong way.  And for every person that actively posts, there are probably 10 more (at least) that only read the forums and have the same thoughts.  I don't know what the ratio of forum users are that mainly browse vs. posting, but my guess is that there are a lot.

I don't think there should be any restrictions beyond those that already exist for dealers and manufacturers. 

The OP's set of guidelines are very good in my opinion.  Dealers that ignore them run the risk of alienating prospective buyers and damaging their reputation.  You'll notice that very few dealers actually post here.  Most are smart enough to figure out that there's more risk than reward.  Some aren't.
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audition__audio
1,481 posts
 
Requiring them to list their affiliation is enough. 
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