Industry Participants

There is a difference between opinions offered by a vendor and others.

Vendors stand to gain financially from the opinions expressed. Others do not. if anything, they tend to be the losers if they act on bad or biased inforamtion from a vendor with a vested interest in selling particular products.

So its different but all fine as long as one realizes what the situation is.

I do think it reflects negatively on AUdiogon over the long term to let this go on this way, but I have no problem with their business decision to do so.  High end audio is full of grey areas, although this is one that could be addressed if desired.    Its just another fact to consider in the decision making process as a buyer.

I agree that industry participants have a potential for placing economic self interest first. I agree that having the "Industry Participant" designation would be a good thing.

having the designation certainly seems simple enough

i myself have based buying decisions from info gathered here and other forums . I hate to think i might have unknowingly been swayed by a salesmen's post . Looking for transparency as i am sure everyone else is too .

I appreciate most industry members' opinions and knowledge on all matters in audio.  There are some good ones here, there are also ones trying to sell ones wares.  I have no problem with that as long as I know they are in the business and  it gives me a better chance to put their feedback and opinion into perspective.  

Whats the difference between that and layman posters recommending only what they use, many of which have only tried an extremely small percentage of brands and combos of brands available?