How to find local audiophiles

Audiogon needs to openly encourage optionally sharing contact information. 

It's their policy to filter it out in messaging, you can't share contact info.

It would be nice to know the who’s, what’s and where’s of members who all are understandably blocked so as to avoid nixing Audiogon’s percentage(s) take on sales. I know I’m in N Cal near Sacromento in 95616 land.

Most members names are not their names in “real life”. I have sleuthed out a few who have been most kind and helpful to me. Despite some typical cyber thuggery most members are kind and helpful. Very.

Some local audiophiles don’t want to be found I suspect for a host of reasons perhaps security factoring in for many? Finding local kindred spirits would sure be nice (as would be less time online) but friends and family sate above all.

It would be nice if Audiogon allowed contact information sharing. But their business is in bringing together buyers and sellers. Their revenues disappear... as does the forum... if folks simply see posting of stuff for sale and then do a deal outside of Audiogon. So, I can’t see any way they could do that and survive.

you can easily "encode" contact info in messages.

I understand the reasoning for enforcing to be the middle man in the transaction but the real purpose of such a platform should be the guarantees. And in that case, it makes no difference knowing or not knowing the other party. You would want audiogon to be the broker and pay the fees happily to have a safe transaction and a smooth process.

People from this forum hooking up to meet in person is not a threat to their profit.

Start with music first.  I am incredibly fortunate to have two neighbors - each literally two doors away! - who enjoy jazz, like me (though not our only musical interest).  About 10-12 years ago I went up to one of their doors on a late Saturday afternoon, and when his wife answered the door, I asked her “can [his name] come out to play”. He was on a different floor but heard me and yelled out “yes!”. That started a thing among the 3 of us where we gather every month or two at my house, start with appetizers and manhattans in the kitchen, and then move to serious listening and scotch for several hours.  Even though neither of them is an audiophile, per se, they both have been deeply involved in my system journeys, appreciate the quality of the sound, and give great feedback.  But most importantly, we’ve become good friends over the years and always look forward to catching up, using the excellent excuse of music and booze to do so.