New Audiogon policies.... thoughts?

Bill Baker · « **Reply #20 on:** 11 May 2007, 01:04 am »

Hi Brian,
You bring up some very good points but unfortunately, AudioGon is driven by the buyers more-so than the sellers. The audio consumer knows he can go to A-Gon to find anything he/she wants but does not know of the politics involved for commercial sellers.

With the number of private sellers on AudioGon and the very few commercial sellers that will actually complain, it will be business as usual without a doubt. I'm sure it's all about the money.

On a different subject, do you know more about AudioPimp and how he comes across his gear that he sells for pennies on the dollar?

Brian Walsh · « **Reply #21 on:** 11 May 2007, 01:25 am »

Hi Bill, I may know more than most people about Audio Pimp, but little of it is printable. Actually some of it can be found by Googling "Johnny Boey" (in quotes) - his real name. Actually his reputation which I would say is quite negative seems to be well known to quite a few manufacturers and others in the business, but not too well by consumers who may not have the time or inclination to research such things.

It is difficult to post negative feedback, much less have it stick. You can't post negative feedback if a deal isn't consummated. If something is damaged or its condition was grossly misrepresented, you can post, but there can be a gray area even for that.

Audiogon is all about the money. They couldn't give a rat's behind about anybody except themselves, as I see it. Their moderation of discussion forums is so inconsistent and heavy handed that worthwhile discussions are almost impossible.

eric the red · « **Reply #22 on:** 11 May 2007, 01:40 am »

Since placing a 'Want To Buy' ad now costs $6.00 on Audiogon (it used to be a free community service), I'm waiting for the day that it costs $6.00 to answer a classified ad on Audiogon...

Bill Baker · « **Reply #23 on:** 11 May 2007, 01:45 am »

Thanks for the reply Brian,
I only recently came across AudioPimp and found his prices questionable to say the least. I have become curious about his methods now that I see more about him and the products he comes across as well as the prices he sells tham at.

macrojack · « **Reply #24 on:** 12 May 2007, 01:08 pm »

The Audio Pimp problem is easy to fix for me. I ignore his ads.

As for Audiogon, I have had a love/hate relationship with them from the outset. The way they censor (moderate?) their forum is discouraging on good days and infuriating most other times. Hate that.
They have a virtual monopoly on classified advertising and they exploit the fact. Hate that. They demonstrate in a relatively benign way the potential abuses that monpoly can inspire and facillitate. I like that.
They provide an opportunity to unload excess audio gear to a worldwide market. Love that. They will continue to raise their prices if we show them that they can get away with it. Let's boycott them now.
Unless I have a change of heart or a desperate situation, I will not use them again for selling my extraneous gear. Either I will sell off my extra stuff here at AC or I will just leave it in the closet for posterity. FUCK THEM!!!!

whopnyc · « **Reply #25 on:** 12 May 2007, 01:40 pm »

I still say $6 is a bargain as is $15 as long as you're selling something over 300 dollars. Maybe they should have a category for less expensive merchandise and charge less for the ad. The problem I have is the restrictive policies they keep adding. It's been mentioned in this thread about the picture limit and now they've added a restriction on hyperlinks. They aren't allowed at all anymore. It seems to me that linking to the manufacturer's website or a review costs them nothing unlike more pictures. I emailed them about it and they said people were abusing it. I have no idea how you abuse posting links unless you're pointing to viruses or porn but why not just ban the abuser rather than penalize the rest of us? Most companies try to be progressive, Agon seems to want to go backwards.

It sucks but there's nowhere else to go.

contrarian · « **Reply #26 on:** 12 May 2007, 03:37 pm »

Here's the good news - Audiogon is on a slow path to self destruction. They currently have a monopoly and as such, can dictate prices and policies. Eventually, this will piss off enough people to open up the market for competitors. I'm looking forward to the day it's 'AudioGoneForGood'!

What about placing a single add on Audiogon pointing to all your free adds here on AC?

The_KiD · « **Reply #27 on:** 12 May 2007, 03:56 pm »

They are getting out of hand with prices and their discussion boards too. I find myself spending less and less time there..

KiD

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #28 on:** 12 May 2007, 04:02 pm »

You truly are 'contrarian'!!

Great idea on posting links to AC...I think I'll do it in the future and see if they have issue with it. A CAPITAL idea, that is

Quote from: contrarian on 12 May 2007, 03:37 pm

Here's the good news - Audiogon is on a slow path to self destruction. They currently have a monopoly and as such, can dictate prices and policies. Eventually, this will piss off enough people to open up the market for competitors. I'm looking forward to the day it's 'AudioGoneForGood'!

What about placing a single add on Audiogon pointing to all your free adds here on AC?

macrojack · « **Reply #29 on:** 12 May 2007, 04:23 pm »

I think that Audiogon has been on a slow path to self destruction for several years. Perhaps we can speed it up for them by boycotting their site and getting the word out to others to do the same. They do not demonstrate any regard for those of us who represent their principal revenue source and they epitomize arrogance with their smug "take it or leave it" policies.
I can't tell you how frustrated I have felt in the past over submitting a time-consuming, well-considered and carefully worder opinion to their forum only to find it was lost to the vagaries of their moderator dartboard.
I'm sure that this has happened to me in excess of 50 times.

In the grand scheme of things, this is no big deal but I would like to take a break from corporate policies and abuses every now and then and here in hobby land is where I want that to occur. Like all successful corporations, Audiogon has lost sight of who is serving whom.

They seem to be modeling themselves after Microsoft.

kenk · « **Reply #30 on:** 12 May 2007, 06:13 pm »

This is crazy, we audio nuts can pay up to $1,000 or more for a pair of cable but bitch about $15

This is supply and demand and if they charge too much, then people will go elsewhere. Personally, I think Audiogon will continue to do well as there are no other competitions.

Don_S · « **Reply #31 on:** 12 May 2007, 07:28 pm »

Quote from: kenk on 12 May 2007, 06:13 pm

This is crazy, we audio nuts can pay up to $1,000 or more for a pair of cable but bitch about $15 This is supply and demand and if they charge too much, then people will go elsewhere. Personally, I think Audiogon will continue to do well as there are no other competitions.

Kenk, try rereading your post with the emphasis I have added. I think that is one of the major complaints.

Brian Walsh · « **Reply #32 on:** 13 May 2007, 08:56 pm »

Quote from: Don_S on 12 May 2007, 07:28 pm

Quote from: kenk on 12 May 2007, 06:13 pm
This is crazy, we audio nuts can pay up to $1,000 or more for a pair of cable but bitch about $15 This is supply and demand and if they charge too much, then people will go elsewhere. Personally, I think Audiogon will continue to do well as there are no other competitions.

Kenk, try rereading your post with the emphasis I have added. I think that is one of the major complaints.

I agree. The $15 is much less of a problem than their cluelessness, arrogance, and greed.

"Boycott Audiogon." Pass it on.

china · « **Reply #33 on:** 13 May 2007, 11:12 pm »

Hello AudioCircle,

I hope this reaches everyone in the best of spirits and thoughts!!!

I have to think that "AudioXsells" is loving this thread!!!
What I am saying is that there are alternatives to "AudioGon". Here in "AudioCircle" and many others. Just takes a little longer to sell, buy or whatever. But it can be done.
My personal opinion is that the "AudioGon" personal have lost touch with those that made them. The audiophiles and music lovers. Maybe someone could list different avenues for listing products. Just a thought!!
Take that to the local seven/eleven and see if it will get you a free coffee or piece of bubble gum??

As always, all the best. From China.

Ralph

Bill Baker · « **Reply #34 on:** 13 May 2007, 11:45 pm »

It all boils down to the fact that audiogon is a business. They are there to make money. It did not start out this way but has turned into a lucrative money maker. Money goes to people's heads.

audioxsel · « **Reply #35 on:** 14 May 2007, 01:01 am »

China / Ralph and AudioCircle Members,

We are a little happy to be reading this thread. AudioXsell - www.audioxsell.com is a new competitor to Audiogon. We offer our classifieds free to audiophiles while generating revenue through advertisers and high volume dealers. That's right our classifieds are free. Besides a classified section we provide event coverage of all the big US audiophile events. We pride ourselves on outstanding customer service and satisfaction. We love feedback from our members and visitors, and are currently running a promotion where we will send you an audiophile grade CDR if you post a classified ad.

We will be posting our coverage from the Stereophile Show in New York shortly with approximately 400 pictures. We invite you to discover www.audioxsell.com

nathanm · « **Reply #36 on:** 14 May 2007, 01:30 am »

I really like how Audioxsell handles images. Click them and the screen dims leaving just a single image. A keyboard shortcut to close it is also a nice touch.

macrojack · « **Reply #37 on:** 14 May 2007, 02:19 am »

I just signed up with AudioXsell. It will take some time for them to develop the reach that Audiogon has but I'm all for giving them some help. My first step in that direction happened the other day when I saw the start of this thread. I haven't looked at Audiogon since and I don't intend to again. If we don't advertise with them and don't buy from their advertisers, then maybe we'll get their attention. Or maybe AudioXsell or some other start up will just blow them into history. I'd like to see that one. Audiogon has a bad attitude and I urge all of you to withdraw even the slightest support from them.

Brian Walsh · « **Reply #38 on:** 14 May 2007, 03:38 am »

Quote from: tvad4 on 14 May 2007, 02:34 am

The next few items I sell (whenever that is...) I'll list on both AudioXsell and Audiogon. The more effective listing will be quickly evident. I hope it's AudioXsell, but I suspect it won't be so.

It's a self fulfilling prophesy. It will take a while for the momentum to shift, but I think it might this time. Have some patience.

I'm fed up with Audiogon for many reasons. They've had this coming for a long time.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #39 on:** 14 May 2007, 07:28 am »

I'm bothered by what I percieve as arrogance on the part of the owners of Agon, but while the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak!

I have a tough time not browsing, especially as they have so much neat stuff.

I recently sold a couple items I don't use anymore...would I have been able to get my price from a site with less traffic?

That said, the next peice I sell I will list on the new site to see how it goes.