What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??

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Ericus Rex

Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #360 on: 4 Jul 2012, 12:43 pm »
Back to the original post.  Audiogon is the biggest ripoff in high end audio!!!!!!!!!

medium jim

Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #361 on: 4 Jul 2012, 02:47 pm »
This thread pointed out that there needs to be a General Circle, where all things that don't fit in the existing circles can be discussed ad nauseam.

Jim

JohnR

Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #362 on: 4 Jul 2012, 02:48 pm »
Been there, done that, several times. The answer is still no.

medium jim

Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #363 on: 4 Jul 2012, 03:04 pm »
Been there, done that, several times. The answer is still no.

JohnR:

I was being a little bit flippant as it would just turn into a pissing contest.

Jim

thunderbrick

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Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #364 on: 4 Jul 2012, 03:28 pm »
Back to the original post.  Audiogon is the biggest ripoff in high end audio!!!!!!!!!

I disagree.  Audiogon* may be the most inept organization in high-end audio, given their world-class f***-up, but it is a huge library of information.  I have a little heartburn with folks who seem to go out of their way to circumvent pretty reasonable fees and hide their transactions.  Granted, there is a fair amount of neurosis in this (or any) hobby, but I'm not sure they are the people I want to deal with.  Seems childish to me.  After all, AC members may have the occasional gripe with AC rules, but we don't spend a lot of effort trying to get around them.

I've had great luck on AG, buying AND selling, and made some good friends.  Wish I could say the same with some ebay pricks I've had the misfortune to deal with.

*You could argue that it's a tie between AG and Monster, but I don't see AG extorting money from Audioquest, Audiocircle, audiologists, etc.

OK, back to our regular  :banghead: :flame: :duel: :slap: :argue: programming!

 :thumb:

totoro

Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #365 on: 4 Jul 2012, 03:43 pm »
This thread pointed out that there needs to be a General Circle, where all things that don't fit in the existing circles can be discussed ad nauseam.

Jim

You've already expressed in this thread that you have disdain for the arguments in the thread, and the "kiddies" in it (your word, not mine). If you dislike it so much, why have you posted several times in it? I understand that you think there should be consensus at the end of an argument, but not all arguments end cleanly. If you don't like this thread and think a thread about the expensiveness of audio equipment doesn't belong in this circle, fine, that's your right. But the mods here seem to be ok with it: nobody is forcing you to read it, and it actually hasn't been all that much of a flame war.

If there weren't any arguments, that would indicate that there was a sterile monoculture of people who all believe the same thing.

medium jim

Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #366 on: 4 Jul 2012, 04:02 pm »
You've already expressed in this thread that you have disdain for the arguments in the thread, and the "kiddies" in it (your word, not mine). If you dislike it so much, why have you posted several times in it? I understand that you think there should be consensus at the end of an argument, but not all arguments and cleanly. If you don't like this thread, think a thread about the expensiveness of audio equipment doesn't belong in this circle, fine. But the mods here seem to be ok with it: nobody is forcing you to read it, and it actually hasn't been all that much of a flame war.

If there weren't any arguments, that would indicate that there was a sterile monoculture of people who all believe the same thing.

Totoro:

At the same time, many expressed their thoughts over and over again.  My comment about the kiddies was in reference to a couple who started to personalize their comments, if you took offense to it, oh well, as it wasn't directed towards you.

My point about a consensus was pointing out that in discussions such as this, there will rarely be any agreement, just a lot of venting that never solves anything.

As far as moderation, Letitroll98 did a commendable job as it would have been easier to nuke the thread.

BTW, AG is okay and I too have bought and sold on it without issues....

Jim

Ericus Rex

Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #367 on: 4 Jul 2012, 04:09 pm »
I disagree.  Audiogon* may be the most inept organization in high-end audio, given their world-class f***-up, but it is a huge library of information.  I have a little heartburn with folks who seem to go out of their way to circumvent pretty reasonable fees and hide their transactions.  Granted, there is a fair amount of neurosis in this (or any) hobby, but I'm not sure they are the people I want to deal with.  Seems childish to me.  After all, AC members may have the occasional gripe with AC rules, but we don't spend a lot of effort trying to get around them.

I've had great luck on AG, buying AND selling, and made some good friends.  Wish I could say the same with some ebay pricks I've had the misfortune to deal with.

*You could argue that it's a tie between AG and Monster, but I don't see AG extorting money from Audioquest, Audiocircle, audiologists, etc.

OK, back to our regular  :banghead: :flame: :duel: :slap: :argue: programming!

 :thumb:

A 'reasonable fee' is their flat rate.  But the percentage they tag on top of that flat rate is criminal.  A more expensive item is charged extra just b/c it sold for more.  Audiogon accepts no increased risk nor incurs any extra expense or hassle by listing an item that is more expensive.  How can you/they justify this surcharge?  This is why people circumvent their new system by selling covertly.

medium jim

Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #368 on: 4 Jul 2012, 04:11 pm »
A 'reasonable fee' is their flat rate.  But the percentage they tag on top of that flat rate is criminal.  A more expensive item is charged extra just b/c it sold for more.  Audiogon accepts no increased risk nor incurs any extra expense or hassle by listing an item that is more expensive.  How can you/they justify this surcharge?  This is why people circumvent their new system by selling covertly.

I haven't bought or sold on AG since the new ownership/reorganization...are the fees now higher?

Jim

thunderbrick

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Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #369 on: 4 Jul 2012, 04:26 pm »
A 'reasonable fee' is their flat rate.  But the percentage they tag on top of that flat rate is criminal.  A more expensive item is charged extra just b/c it sold for more.  Audiogon accepts no increased risk nor incurs any extra expense or hassle by listing an item that is more expensive.  How can you/they justify this surcharge?  This is why people circumvent their new system by selling covertly.

I see your point, but I hardly think people with higher-priced items should pay the same to sell little stuff.  AG is entitled to charge listing fees whether it sells or not.    They are providing the marketplace that, aside from very expensive ebay, none of us could access on our own.

We manage to buy and sell stuff at little risk (buy used, sell used, don't get hammered on depreciation, etc.).  The web has made information a commodity that people expect for free.  If that keeps up we could ALL be out of a job.

If you took ALL of AG's current ads, multiply it times the listing fee, how much would that be? Would it cover equipment, labor, utilities, upgrades (kidding on this one!) answering emails, PROFIT, etc.?    Doubt it.

Despite how screwed up AG has become it is of value to me.   Do I like increased fees?  Hell, no!  but just as I support AC, I think AG is worth funding.

EDIT:  If I were selling low-priced stuff on AG, I'd be pissed if someone selling a $10K preamp for just the listing fee.  We can't keep everybody happy.  Do they incur more work when listing big-buck stuff?  Probably lot, but the VALUE they provide to the pricier sellers also goes up by providing a world-wide market.

And in the end it's all opinion anyway.  AG fees criminal?  If that's so, what do you do with firms and individuals that blatantly LIE?  Shoot 'em?  Not a bad idea, and we'd get the rest of their stuff at the estate auction.   :thumb:

srb

Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #370 on: 4 Jul 2012, 04:27 pm »
I haven't bought or sold on AG since the new ownership/reorganization...are the fees now higher?

It used to be 1%, it is now 2%.

A 'reasonable fee' is their flat rate.  But the percentage they tag on top of that flat rate is criminal.  How can you/they justify this surcharge?  This is why people circumvent their new system by selling covertly.

I don't like the commision on sales, but it's your choice whether or not to enter into a sales contract with Audiogon.  The reason some people circumvent the commision is because they choose to not honor the legal contract they agreed to and it's relatively easy to get away with it.

On two occasions I have contacted Audiogon to notify them of the commission due them because the sales were concluded via personal e-mail.  I didn't like paying the commission, but unfortunately it was what I had previously agreed to.

Steve

thunderbrick

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Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #371 on: 4 Jul 2012, 04:34 pm »
It used to be 1%, it is now 2%.

I don't like the commision on sales, but it's your choice whether or not to enter into a sales contract with Audiogon.  The reason some people circumvent the commision is because they choose to not honor the legal contract they agreed to and it's relatively easy to get away with it.

On two occasions I have contacted Audiogon to notify them of the commission due them because the sales were concluded via personal e-mail.  I didn't like paying the commission, but unfortunately it was what I had previously agreed to.

Steve

Steve, you are an honorable man!  Bright?  Not so much, but honorable is much more important!   :lol: :lol:

Sleeping well at night is much better than saving a few bucks, anyway.   :thumb:

totoro

Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #372 on: 4 Jul 2012, 04:40 pm »
Totoro:

At the same time, many expressed their thoughts over and over again.  My comment about the kiddies was in reference to a couple who started to personalize their comments, if you took offense to it, oh well, as it wasn't directed towards you.

My point about a consensus was pointing out that in discussions such as this, there will rarely be any agreement, just a lot of venting that never solves anything.

As far as moderation, Letitroll98 did a commendable job as it would have been easier to nuke the thread.

BTW, AG is okay and I too have bought and sold on it without issues....

Jim

I didn't take offense, it just seemed a little contradictory to me to be very anti- this thread while posting to it several times. I brought up the "kiddie" thing just as support for my position that you seemed anti- this thread.

I agree about the venting, etc. But I think there are several issues here. One of them is that very often, many of the participants seem to feel free not to make coherent logical arguments. This isn't a problem with the topic at hand, but with the behavior of the participants. In a sensible discussion, one's opponents would point out one's own illogicality or false premises _without recourse to ad hominems_. Another is that, at times people think that their personal opinions and views are somehow more "real" than those of others, should never be challenged, and thus don't need a rational defense. Of course, I do this as well, we all do, but it's not a reasonable way to engage with the world, and certainly isn't how we left the middle ages and entered a secular age of technology. If a point of view is objectively wrong, we should be able to show that with reason, not ad homs, put on offense, and streams of invalid arguments of various other descriptions (not accusing you of any of these, btw).

But seriously, if we start saying that certain beliefs about audio are sacrosanct and can't be discussed or questioned by either side, we've left behind the world of science, technology, and engineering, and entered the world of theology and dogma. That would, IMHO, be really sad.

srb

Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #373 on: 4 Jul 2012, 04:43 pm »
Steve, you are an honorable man!  Bright?  Not so much, but honorable is much more important!   :lol: :lol:

Sleeping well at night is much better than saving a few bucks, anyway.   :thumb:

Well, the items were < $1000 which made the decision easier than $10,000 items!

Like entering into a real estate contract, if you personally sell your home to a friend, you still owe the realtor the commission.  The same agreement for an "exclusive listing" is also written into the Audiogon contract.

If you sell the item elsewhere, you still legally owe them the commission.  I'm glad that particular scenario hasn't come up because I'm not exactly sure where my moral compass would lead me on that one!

Steve

medium jim

Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #374 on: 4 Jul 2012, 04:57 pm »
Totoro:

Not anti-thread, just as you say anti those who continue to post the same argument over and over, or attempt to bully others who chose to post counterpoints.

I will say it again, knowledge is the ultimate defense against being ripped off.

Jim

totoro

Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #375 on: 4 Jul 2012, 05:13 pm »
Totoro:

Not anti-thread, just as you say anti those who continue to post the same argument over and over, or attempt to bully others who chose to post counterpoints.

I will say it again, knowledge is the ultimate defense against being ripped off.

Jim

OK, I misread your intentions then. Sorry about that.

Knowledge is a good defense, but as is often said, "we can't know what we don't know", and this can be problematic in a situation with seriously asymmetric information.

totoro

Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #376 on: 4 Jul 2012, 05:14 pm »
That is just the part...where you "challenge another subjective whatever", you seem to want to impose your idea of reality on another...
There are some people that think they have the authority to wake me early on weekends(when I wish to sleep late) so they can save my soul. They are the Wicked Ones.  :lol:

One can posit expectation bias as a reason for perceived changes in sound without challenging anyone else's experience of reality. The expectation bias argument is challenging an explanation of what caused that perception. If there are people who are actually challenging others' subjective experiences, they should be called out explicitly, since they are making an argument that can't be won.

But if person a says: "there are no good known engineering reasons why components a and b should sound different, so the null hypothesis should be that the perceived differences in sound are due to expectation bias", he is not making a claim about anyone else's subjective experience of reality. He is making an objective claim about the world that is, at least in some cases, testable. This testing may be very expensive or impractical in some or many cases. But the argument that this is a claim about people's subjective experience of reality is simply false.

JohnR

Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #377 on: 4 Jul 2012, 05:28 pm »
But the argument that this is a claim about people's subjective experience of reality is simply false.

That doesn't make the claim correct though.

Devil Doc

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Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #378 on: 4 Jul 2012, 05:35 pm »
Totoro, your post reminds me of a story. One of my Psych. professors took me aside one day, looked me in the eye, and said, "You know, not everyone believes in this stuff. Many people don't want to admit to themselves there are things they simply aren't in control of." Well, too bad for them, but it's just not worth pounding your head against a wall trying to convert them. I mean, it's not like they're on the road to Perdition. They're just going to waste their money and it's their money to waste. I need to get out of the life saving business.

Doc

Letitroll98

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Re: What's the biggest rip-off in high end audio??
« Reply #379 on: 4 Jul 2012, 05:47 pm »
One can posit expectation bias as a reason for perceived changes in sound without challenging anyone else's experience of reality. The expectation bias argument is challenging an explanation of what caused that perception. If there are people who are actually challenging others' subjective experiences, they should be called out explicitly, since they are making an argument that can't be won.

But if person a says: "there are no good known engineering reasons why components a and b should sound different, so the null hypothesis should be that the perceived differences in sound are due to expectation bias", he is not making a claim about anyone else's subjective experience of reality. He is making an objective claim about the world that is, at least in some cases, testable. This testing may be very expensive or impractical in some or many cases. But the argument that this is a claim about people's subjective experience of reality is simply false.

I think there's a logical fallacy in that argument, specifically the section in quotes.  Who is the authority that declares there are no good engineering reasons why?  I've heard a lot of good engineering reasons why components should sound different.  I think you have a clear case of Biased Generalization there.

Okay, okay, I know it's just an example to make your point, couldn't resist, sorry.  I would note a couple of things.  No matter how much your statements hew to logic, you're Spock on the Enterprise here.  This is an internet forum, not the Harvard debating society.  You can make logical arguments without being assailed for it, but when you bring up a litany of other's failings, all you do is create a Straw Man to Poison the Well, which is doing nothing but looking like a Personal Attack.  (Did I do okay?  I looked all that stuff up on the internet)  Nothing wrong with being intelligent and educated, bad form to flaunt it. 

My recently departed Father's best lesson for me is that you'll learn a lot by asking questions, and nothing by giving all the answers.