Dealers on the site

[admin_exported]

I'm becoming a little be uncomfortable with the presence of dealers on this site giving advice about products which they sell.

Would it not be better either to ban them, or to allow posts from all dealers of all products to make comments. Yes, dealers are clearly flagged, but their advice must surely be limited and biased, as, after all, they're trying to sell only the products they mention and are unlikely to praise rival products.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Thanks for the feedback. A clarification of commercial representation is due in a forthcoming refresh to our House Rules - watch this space...

 

[idc]

I like the presence of dealers and manufacturers, but as you suggest Clare, clarification of who they are, their role and whether they are on the forum intheir own time or as an official representative should be made clear. At the moment it is down to them as to how much they say in their signature.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Indeed: which is why we're working on a House Rules change requiring them to identify themselves as retailers in their signature, confine extra information to their profile, and list the brands they stock.

We're also going to outlaw some of the more obvious touting for business/linking to online e-tailing sites we've seen of late, and keep a closer eye on those we suspect may be retailers or manufacturers/distributors passing themselves off as 'civilian' posters.

And regarding Tarquinh's suggestion that we

Tarquinh:either... ban them, or... allow posts from all
dealers of all products to make comments.

we don't see any point in banning them, and of course any dealer is welcome to join and give advice, provided they're clearly identified as such.

 

[Andy Clough]

Just to add to what Clare and Andrew have already said, the new House Rules should be going live on the site this week. As soon as they're up, I'll let everyone know.

 

[Cofnchtr]

Hi,

Wouldn't agree that banning dealers would be a good thing.

I think most have offered impartial advice most of the time. I'm sure the mods would clamp down on any improper practices as pointed out above.

I recommend B&W speakers/Yamaha amp etc. because I have them - no reason why retailers cannot advise auditioning alternatives as long as it's not the hard sell?

Cheers,

Cofnchtr.

 

[SteveR750]

Plus the "Rick @ Musicraft" vs "Dave at Frank Harvey" often provides some good popcorn moments!

 

[JoelSim]

Dealers are an integral part of hifi in my view and in many cases are very helpful e.g. Darren at Clearer Audio

 

[Andrew Everard]

Link to amended House Rules here

 

[clearer_audio]

Hello all,

As a manufacturer I try to get involved in the forums as much as possible. I think this is a good for everyone and I hope that my contributions are of interest and assistance to the users/readers.

With best regards,

Darren

 

[Andrew Everard]

Darren,

Weblink in your bio, not in your sig, please...

 

[Clare Newsome]

clearer_audio:Hello all,

As a manufacturer I try to get involved in the forums as much as possible. I think this is a good for everyone and I hope that my contributions are of interest and assistance to the users/readers.

With best regards,

Darren

Yes Darren, you're a great help - anything that helps explain cables!

 

[Andrew Everard]

Thanks for amending, Darren.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Tarquinh: I'm becoming a little be uncomfortable with the presence of dealers on this site giving advice about products which they sell.

Would it not be better either to ban them, or to allow posts from all dealers of all products to make comments. Yes, dealers are clearly flagged, but their advice must surely be limited and biased, as, after all, they're trying to sell only the products they mention and are unlikely to praise rival products.How many genuinely unbiased views do you think there are on a forum? Especially as anyone can sign up under any name and pretty much say what they want.

As for banning dealers due to limited experience, where do you buy your hi-fi from? A local dealer? A distant dealer who gives you impertial advice? Or buy blindly on the internet? Some of us have been doing this for decades, know what we're talking about, and have a decent knowledge of a wide range of products behind them. Don't tar all dealers with the same brush.

As for bias, if a product I've heard suits someone better than one we keep I'll say so - no point giving bad advice and being ignored as a result.

 

[Frank Harvey]

SteveR750:Plus the "Rick @ Musicraft" vs "Dave at Frank Harvey" often provides some good popcorn moments!
Hehe

 

[Big Aura]

just a thought on this new initative (which I applaud) - but it might be useful for us mere mortals to have either a listing of a manufacturer's key brands in their signature so we can add/subtract the hypothetical pinch of salt (i.e. a Pioneer only dealer saying that Yamaha are rubbish). At the least, it would be a useful reminder to new posters in a dealer's signature that each dealer has a profile setting out their commercial affiliations.

 

[Clare Newsome]

The house rules state that such brand details should be listed in a manufacturer/retailer's bio - which you can read on any of their posts if you click on their name above their Avatar.

So, from this very thread, if you click on Frank Harvey Hi-fi, you see this bio with list of brands stocked

 

[Clare Newsome]

The Borg collective is working well this morning

 

[Big Aura]

Clare Newsome:The house rules state that such brand details should be listed in a manufacturer/retailer's bio - which you can read on any of their posts if you click on their name above their Avatar.

Understood Clare - it was just a thought for those less-familiar with how the site works and the finer points of house rules - meant something like "my commercial profile can be accessed by clicking on my user name", or perhaps that could be construed as advertising? In which case ignore me!

 

[Andrew Everard]

Clare Newsome:The Borg collective is working well this morning

Borg out - deleted superfluous duplication.

Big A - I think it's clear enough for now...

 

[clearer_audio]

Andrew Everard:Thanks for amending, Darren.

No problem - I amended it as soon as I read the updated house rules.

Best,

Darren

 

[clearer_audio]

Clare Newsome:Yes Darren, you're a great help - anything that helps explain cables!

Pleasure.

Best regards,
Darren