Entry Level Cables

Sounds_real_audio

"I could very well have a used piece of gear advertised here and then go on threads and in stealth mode to promote that piece."

Yes - and that would be bad as well. I hope you're not trying to say that other do it so it's OK.

I'm not a dealer but I would feel bad posting about something I sell - even if it's only one piece on Audiogon.

Solution is simple - post about any other brand without disclosure and avoid posting about piece you sell at Audiogon for the time of sale. Simple.

OFF TOPIC ALERT
The evolution of this thread brings back the question raised on a thread which for some unknown reason the moderators appear to have deleted. The thread offered many suggestions and I still remember mine. Add a small notifier on the signature line next to the moniker showing the status, with at least the categories of Manufacturer, Dealer/Distributor, Reviewer, Individual, and perhaps other.

Sounds_real_audio would become Sounds_real_audio (D) .

I would be T_bone (I).
The moniker or appended letter would link to the Profile page where another field would require Commercial Users (already defined by Audiogon) to have a small area to identify themselves and the products the manufacture, represent, or sell.

For the purposes of the Audiogon, you are a Commercial user if you fit any of the following criteria:
-You are a reseller or retailer of audio video equipment or related products.
-You represent, or are employed by a manufacturer in the audio video industry.
-You will be listing products on behalf of either of the above entities.
-You will be buying and selling products for profit on a regular basis.

Basically, if you will be using our website to make money, then we ask that you register as such and pay our commercial rates. In return, we offer Commercial users prominent placement of your listings, and top priority for support.

It would be easy to execute, be clear to all, and would end much of this silly back-and-forthing between Audiofeil and others, and would make disclosure a matter of course.

T-Bone

If not for Audiofeil there would be no, as you stated "silly exchange" and you wouldn't be able to present yourself here.

To be fair to Audiofeil, this was an obvious case. I do not know SRA from a hole in the wall, I remember the moniker from a previous similar situation so I know he is a dealer. I have never seen a declaration of what he sells, and it is not publicly posted. In addition, there have been other instances where dealers have used monikers which were less obvious than sounds_real_audio and been caught out advising people to try out what they sell, without disclosing their interest. Distributors as well. I would think this is such an easy thing to change for Audiogon that they should do it and be done with it.

Dealers who disclose clearly, to my mind, are more easily trusted, in all respects. It would be nice to have that disclosure built in. That way, Dealers who play the police would have structural support, and might be able to do away with gratuitous rudeness (unless they just like being gratuitously rude).