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  3. 150258-3852

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 3 responses by rbach

rbach
200 posts
 
I defend the right for anyone to post on this forum. I especially enjoy when a manufacturer will post info about his/her build or design process, technical information, future plans, show engagements etc....I also appreciate dealers that occasionally offer info on system matching, brands they are familiar with or to answer a question a poster asks. What I don’t care for is when a dealer searches the forum DAILY looking for an opportunity to make money.

I only know of one dealer that continually breaks #’s 3 and 5 of the ’suggested dealer guidelines’ you have so thoughtfully provided. This dealer will search the forum looking for someone that is looking to buy a piece of equipment and is asking for suggestions. The dealer will then POLITELY discount any suggestions of gear that have been recommended (that are not carried by this dealer) then offer products they carry as a much better choice. If anyone objects to the dealers advice, the dealer will then argue relentlessly defending their suggestion. Some posters are OK with this dealer. Some say just try to avoid or skip over their posts, while others can’t stand the pushy ’sales pitch’ nature of their posts. It seems as though whichever thread this dealer decides to contribute to, controversy follows, along with deleted posts from angry posters objecting to the way the dealer tries to conduct business in the forum.

To me, this is using the forum as a sales platform.....which I don’t think it should be used for.
rbach
200 posts
 
@ctsooner

You are absolutely right. Audiophiles waxing poetic about their gear is about passion for the hobby. Dealers doing it (in the forum) is about making money....big difference.

rbach
200 posts
 
@soundsrealaudio

With all due respect, think you might have miss the point of a lot of the posters on this thread. Most are not against ALL dealers that post in this forum, just the ones....ONE who posts daily pushing his products and dismissing products he doesn't carry, then arguing with posters that don't agree with him.

Again, pushy dealers with one purpose only (in the forum) are the real offenders. Dealers the post occasionally with good advise are a real asset.

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