About users with hidden agendas

I doubt the site WANTS to ban people. It’s bad for business to lock out potential customers. But any business has to maintain a certain degree of decorum to avoid turning customers off and them leaving of their own accord. We need to be glad there is a forum at all. Moderating it has to be considered an expense. More automation would help. So I think I get it. I would not hold out hope though that there would ever be any constraints in place that censure people just because somebody does not like what they say about this or that hifi topic. Other things may be more important or sensitive. Censoring is bad for business and people have a right to say what they want but not to expect no consequences either good or bad. It is what is it. Gotta just make the best of it. Nobody is required to take anything from a "bully". In some cases, like with certain personality disorders, resistance may be futile and best thing is to just ignore. Or flag posts or threads if one must. That is the mechanism provided. Just use discretion. Not liking someone or what they say alone is not a good reason to censor. Is the post even potentially harmful, threatening, ominous or just outright dishonest in some way? Different story. If one cares then it is their job to help mind the shop when needed. It’s an imperfect world, what can you say? Be tolerant but stand up for what is "right". Off soapbox.....cheers!

@ghasley +1000

@mapman : I can assure you the vast majority of those people have zero intentions to buy or sell anything here. the "potential" part is close to zero. They are here for the mayhem in the forums only. 

@thyname the mayhem they create is their hobby, not audio. The next time they’re in the throughs of yet another manufactured outrage, ask to see a picture of their system and you discover their drama is nothing more than a smoke screen to obscure the fact they have a poor system. They also tend to be jealous and covetous. It’s always the same pattern, essentially psychological and personality disorders on full display.

Ted Denney III— Synergistic Research Inc.

@mapman : I can assure you the vast majority of those people have zero intentions to buy or sell anything here. the "potential" part is close to zero. They are here for the mayhem in the forums only.

I am sure that happens, but I don’t think that alone violates any site rules. An audiogon user gets access to forums and ability to transact. So I would assert that is just par for the course. Also if one gets caught up in the forums actually discussing hifi and music, there is perhaps a greater chance they will buy or sell something. I think that is why the forum exists.....to help plant the seeds per se.

ask to see a picture of their system and you discover their triggered outrage is nothing more than a smoke screen to obscure the fact they have a poor system.

Well, maybe if you are here on a free forum you can help them out with some free advice.