is audiogon good for the audio industry or bad?

I am responding to a few folks who thought I was saying that I condone going to a dealer, auditioning and then buying on audiogon, which I have never done before... I was misunderstood here...in fact I have recently tried hard to buy products at a local dealer but the audition failed (Elipsas or cemonas in a small room didnt work). And, my recently purchased 3 items on audiogon are all from dealers...none of this equipment was auditioned at another dealer...the price was simply more competitive than simply msrp through audiogon...so it seems, I am contributing to dealers success through audiogon as I am a new customer for them.

While Absolute Sound drives me into retailers, my intent is to buy the product from the retailer as there are 2 in my area that I have spent much $$ at....if I do not, it is because of cost or the audition doesn't pan out....but as I have a better idea of the prices that are out there due to audiogon I am a more educated buyer.... In addition, I have met dealers nationwide (including ones in my own area I didnt know), opened myself up to new products and I see products at more competitive prices..especially demos or slightly flawed products which are fine for me and MUCH more affordable....these products have made owning a really nice system possible for me.....that is a more detailed explanation for how I utilize audiogon to afford better equipment.

the ability to unload used equipment and upgrade I believe is good in the long run. I have upgraded to new equipment that i could not have bought without getting reasonable dollars for my used equipment the result that i keep trading and more trades mean more purchases and more expensive at that. On the flip side, yes, the folks buying from me are buying used, not new...but that doesnt mean all of their equipment is used and they too may trade and upgrade and purchase new equipment down the road. more trades are good for the business.