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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
prof
3,474 posts
 

I have few qualms about dealers posting on forums. It’s up to me whether I find their posts useful or not.

That said, and especially having been back in the speaker market again over the past few years, I can not remember a dealer who has ever offered me advice of any worth. Even the nicest most well-meaning dealers.

First, they have something to sell, so their view is inevitably skewed towards those products.

Second...I don’t care how much experience they’ve had with gear they sell and others. They’ve come to their own conclusions and those are not my conclusions. When they are talking about gear I know and have heard, I often don’t agree with their take on it, or if I do then they haven’t added anything to my own. (Even in the speaker forum a certain dealer-in-question who has posted a description of a speaker I've auditioned, and it didn't match what I heard at all.  I have no reason to rely on such accounts).  

When I go gear shopping I’ve done my homework and I bring a lifetime of audiophile experience in knowing what I’m looking for. I don’t need a dealer to say a darned thing; I just need to hear the gear for myself. Nothing the dealer says matters at all if the gear doesn’t meet my standards and criteria.

soundsrealaudio's avatar
soundsrealaudio
756 posts
 
viridian

As a dealer I learned early on never to promise anyone anything, I changed my wedding vows and simply said

 " I will try to stay with you through thick and thin with as few transgressions as possible" 
soundsrealaudio's avatar
soundsrealaudio
756 posts
 
rbach

 I am with you regarding daily pushing most just worthless BS.

especially with out a hint about the fact that they are dealers. I still don't know who is and who is not a dealer. 


cd318
2,636 posts
 
Dealers opinions could be useful as long as they can resist the temptation to push their own stock. Pretty daunting task I’d say, unless you are lucky enough to operate outside of any financial concerns.

Then there’s the issue of watching passively as someone chooses a clearly inferior product when a better alternative is readily available. Or worse, going elsewhere. Some may find it easy, some might prefer watching train wrecks. Totally beyond me.

As a control freak I’d prefer to be at the design end, no strings attached. Just turning out the best product I could at the given price range.

Of course, that runs the risk of doubting your own sanity if it fails to sell, but at least that way you might finally get the sound that you’ve always been after.


oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
4,867 posts
 
^^^ 

If you've designed a great product and it isn't selling, hire a good salesman to sell it for you. 

Frank
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