Manners, Eticks & Audiogon --- What do you think???

Cloudgif, if you had come to this site a couple of months ago, you would have found things to be very different. I've been on here for about 6 months, and things have really changed alot in the past 30 days. For the worse. It reminds me of what happened to motorcycling. At one time, all motorcyclists were a brotherhood. When passing, each would wave. If a fellow biker was stuck on the side of the road, the first biker to come along, would stop to help, and go the extra mile to make sure his fellow bike enthusiast was well taken care of, because he knew he may be in the same shoes someday. After the general public started into the motorcycle craze, primarily with expensive Harley "show pieces" they had no understanding of this "brotherhood". They never wave, never stop to help, nor have any feeling of kinship with other riders. They are self serving, snobbish, ignorant boors. Riders who have been around awhile recognize what has happened, and it will never be the same as it was again. With the influx of members lately who's prime apparent motive was just to enter the sweepstakes drawings, this type of behavior has permeated the Audiogon. When you try to use a vacuum, you inevitably draw in alot of dirt.

Cloudgif,
I share your frustration with unanswered inquiries. At least 4 different times I have responded to for sale ads, only to get no response. Even after 3-4 repeat inquiries. Eventually I just give up, usually the item is marked sold some days later. I think as a matter of etiquette sellers should respond to their ads within 24 hrs. Certainly within 48 hrs. Maybe some sellers only respond if you state upfront that you want to "buy" the item, not just ask for info to make a decision.
Having said that I agree that most of the Audiogon comunity is an outstanding bunch of people.
Cheers

Twl, well said! I am from the old school of motorcycling and find it insulting the way the "new crowd" handles themselves on the highways and byways of this great nation on 2 wheels. But I refuse to give in, and wave to my fellow biker, regardless of make or model, or how old they are etc.

I have been into music and stereo equipment for over 25 years and have seen all types of people. When Marantz and McIntosh were the big things, there were the snobs putting their noses up at Pioneer and other similar equipment. When you are all of 14 years old, you don't have the resorces to afford the higher end pieces. But I still dreamed and looked at "The Big Ones" because it interested me.

Now there are the raging debates at tube vrs. solid state, cd vrs. vinyl, horns vrs. planars, format vrs. format and certainly brand vrs. brand. That is always going to be in this hobby. I am enthusiastic about music and stereo equipment and will deal with all that, because I like almost all music, and can tolerate the stuff I'm not overly excited about. Same with the equipment, I used to be totally vinyl, and still very much appreciate it, but life has brought me to digital and I'm just as much into it as my old Oracle turntable, although I miss such a pretty piece.

As for the manners of most people on the internet, well, that leaves much to be desired. In a society that has become more and more dependant on the internet, and offices that rely on e-mails instead of talking with each other, coldness and rudeness has entered the mainstream. It's easy to be rude to someone you don't have to face. It's easy to to ignore someone you don't have to hear what thier objections or hard asked questions. I sometimes feel that our society is loosing it's daily skill to talk face to face with each other. A perfect example is going to the grocery store and while you are standing in line the person behind you is on their cell phone the entire time, and would rather place that call while in line then have to talk with you or say good morning to the lowly cashier. It's almost like a diversionary tactic to get away from actually talking to someone you don't know.

I have no problems with cell phones, and yes I have one as well. But I use manners and think of others when I do use it. I would much rather talk to a person on the street, in the airport, standing in line with me at the gocery or my neighbors than talk on the phone. And, when I'm on the internet trying to sell something, even if I'm offended by an offer, I politely tell them no thanks. I appreciate it when I do get a response of "thanks but..." when I'm trying to purchase or bid on something.

We are still dealing with people and in this case (A-gon) we are dealing with them on the internet. Lets show the new folks coming into this that we are enthusiastic about our hobby and use some courtesy! Lets show each other that we still can be polite no matter who they are or what they have asked or offered.

Remember, we live in great times to be able to do this. We can chat with people from around the world about something that most of us are passionate about, or at least would like to sell something that others are passionate about. We can get instant responses from owners, musicaians, manufacturers and stores. It is wonderful! Only a few years ago, we had to wait for answers, and had no contact with so many people into this hobby, if you could even find them in the first place, after all, where would you meet people of the same interest except for electronic shows once in a while or maybe a small local club.

Lets all try to do the right thing, enjoy the music, enjoy our equipment and each other!

Sincerely with high hopes, (I will get down off my soapbox!)
Matt Loriot (hifirush, and yes I do have a name!)

Cloudgif - I don't think you're wrong in your observations, but I guess a lot of that stuff doesn't bother me much. You see a lot of ads for things that, at first blush, look like a great deal, but then I remember that this is a pretty open environment and cost is the driving parameter, so I realize that there's a million-and-one reasons why the deal might not be what it seems. Yeah, it's annoying to not hear back from somebody when you email them. It's annoying to read ads that are clearly misleading. But the bottom line is that we're all trying to get nice gear for pennies on the dollar, and the downside is that these obstacles have to be navigated. -Kirk

I guess some people think they have to embellish (#1) to sell something. Seems like you discovered with the back & forth attempted communication that this guy (#2)wasn't worth dealing with.

Time & time again I've commented, as have others, that when something about a transaction doesn't seem quite right then go with your instincts & stay away. I've been somewhat apprehensive about a deal or two but after talking to the seller on the phone was able to make a decision based on the phone call. I highly recommend a phone call especially when making a higher priced deal.

Twl, your comments sure bring back lots of memories. When I was riding Harleys you could buy & sell them all day long for $1,500.00 & ride them away. Maybe they needed a new chain or a Barnett clutch but definitely not a basket case. The most I ever paid for one was 3k & it was completely modified/balanced/blueprinted/custom paint/chrome. That last one was in 1981.

I attribute all these types of behavior to a general decline in the civility of people in our society today. Look at how people not only drive with no courtesy but in almost any city you can see people run lights at any intersection. And how about standing in line with someone bumping into you or going through a door & the other person doesn't even wait for you to walk by before they brush past you on your side because they're too lazy to open the door on their side or at least hesitate a second before barging past?

Not a rant, just a little observation on people & when I observe this it just makes me more determined to try & do the right thing.