Are Dealer Recommendations Useful or Useless?

If the dealer recommends speakers they carry and you purchase them, then the recommendation was certainly useful to at least one party in the transaction.

-IMO

Seriously, Peter. Nobody is going to know your system's pros and cons like you do.

I believe any consumer should rightfully be suspect about any dealer's recommendation for a product they carry always has the potential to be subjective since they are in business to sell. Yes, I know there are some good dealers and bad dealers out there.

As a friend had said in a recent post, the best thing one can spend on their system is time. I'm convinced now that there is no substitute for time.

And I think the way you've been buying and/or borrowing power cables and in-line conditioners to demo in your own home is an excellent example to determine for your system, which works best for your system and your own preferences.

-IMO

Quicke, then exactly what was the 'consultant' consulting?

I think I understand the point you are trying to relay.

But the sad part is that nobody is ever going to benefit from consultant's knowledge base and experience.

If the 'consultant' is not sharing his expertise, then he is not deserving of a commission.

Unless, of course, he get's you a nice cup of hot coffee and quickly swaps in and out the different products you are demo'ing.

Of course, the other side of this coin is that I'd rather have the consultant who is trying to earn a commission relay his 'expert' opinion such that it was more of a fragrance rather than an odor.

Imagine that our entire country took on the same philosophy as your 'consultant'. Regardless of subject matter.

First thing we'd have to do is disband the National Education Association and shut down the public school system.

Hey, wait a minute. I think your consultant may be on to something here.

-IMO

Audiokinesis offers sage advice. Advice that should be heeded by all of us. Regardless of the industry or circumstances.

What perplexes me is the attitude that some have developed by thinking that simply being a participant in this specific hobby somehow shields them or elevates them from the ill-effects of diverse forms of human behavior.

Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of good people in this hobby, but there's plenty of the other types as well. Just like in the real world.

There an old story: "If an uneducated man walks up to a vegtable cart with a horse attached, he'll steal as many vegtables as his pockets will hold. You take that same man and educate him, he'll find a way to steal the entire horse and cart."

In other words, education does not increase morality. If anything, it's the other way around.

And no I am not a misanthrope. At least not yet. But there have been occassion where I wish I were. ;)

But I always hope for the best in others while simultaneously trying to prepare for the worst.

-IMO