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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

Showing 2 responses by larry5729

larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,000 posts
 
I applaud someone who has gotten the guts to at least breach this subject.  

They did not connect the dots until I made several comments about how wonderful SALK Audio speakers sound.  Dealers certainly do not like to hear the words “sell direct”.  

However, I do want dealers to participate.  It would be helpful if they identify themselves should we all know where they are coming from.

There are only two worthwhile independent dealers in Denver.  However, even they stock abbreviated lines and assume their customers will not spend the money for the good stuff.  If they don’t have the good stuff, how will they know what sounds better without hearing them and comparing them?  This is where the manufacture comes in to play.  They need to choose the dealers who are selling their volume and reward them with either consignment or special terms on their high line speakers.

Dealers are an asset to this group and just need to be identified.  We should require them to be listed alphabetically by dealer name so we know who they are.

i think most of us in this group just want an unbiased opinion.
larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,000 posts
 
I meant to add.  I decided to go with REL rather than go with Rythmic subwoofers.  Because Rythmik only sells direct, I was unable to hear them.  Here, the dealers scored 100 and Rythmik scored 10. 

People Les do not buy $300,000 Bentley’s without buying them first.  
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