Anybody here a frequent user/visitor of Audiogon?

vman71 · « **on:** 15 Jan 2008, 04:15 pm »

For those that are, I have a question:

1. Do you feel like things have gotten crazy with their prices rising faster than the price of gas and,

2. Extremely sensored threads/posts.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Jan 2008, 04:19 pm »

I agree on both, but their buy/sell service is still a great value.

If you peruse their site, you'll find their "mission" language indicating it's a for-profit site for the benefit of the owners. They run it as a business, and their policies reflect that. It's confusing after being around sites like this that are much more user-based.

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Jan 2008, 04:19 pm »

I only buy and sell there and my tactic is get in and get out quickly with my head down. And I play by their rules 'cuz they're the only game in town for me.

hmen · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Jan 2008, 04:44 pm »

I buy and sell there but I don't participate in the forums because they're run by and for the "manufacturer partners".

BobM · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Jan 2008, 05:01 pm »

The easiest way to get censored over there is to include a link to ANY other audio related forum. They WILL NOT post anything with a lilnk here or to Audio Asylum.

Paranoid or what?

Enjoy,
Bob

MaxCast · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Jan 2008, 05:09 pm »

I've bought but never sold there.

I used to go through todays ads a few times a day

Now I just keep an eye on things in my zip code area.

There discussion forums never did it for me.

For all you sellers out there give these guys a try first.
http://www.audioxsell.com/
its free

Emil · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Jan 2008, 05:23 pm »

Let's not forget what it was like before the internet or places like Audiogon. You either placed an ad in the paper or traded a piece in to the dealer for peanuts.

Many years ago, I placed an ad in the paper to sell my Krell 50s amp. After many phone calls and useless questioned answered, the one I remember most was when he asked me how powerful the amp was. When I told him it was 50 watts, he laughed at me and told me his Onkyo was at least a 100 watts and cost no where near what I was asking for the Krell.
That wasnt you BobM who called me

Audiogon is still the best place to sell and although the feedback system is flawed, I still feel better dealing with someone at least 10 positive feedbacks.

BrassEar · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 Jan 2008, 05:36 pm »

>>Audiogon is still the best place to sell and although the feedback system is flawed, I still feel better dealing with someone at least 10 positive feedbacks.

Exactly. Audiogon is far from perfect but it's alot cheaper and better targeted marketing than ebay. I have experienced ZERO problems buying or selling there.

nathanm · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 Jan 2008, 05:37 pm »

I don't read the forums there very often but I'm curious; how would you know a post has been censored? Or are you only referring to your own experience?

IronLion · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 Jan 2008, 05:50 pm »

I've definitely had my posts censored there, it happens quite frequently in my short experience I've participated in the forums there.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 Jan 2008, 06:06 pm »

Mostly it's things that never appear. Long threads can disappear too.

lcrim · « **Reply #11 on:** 15 Jan 2008, 06:13 pm »

For upmarket equipment, its really the only game in town. I think that the owners act as pirates towards everybody, manufacturers included. I was beaten on a deal over there and they refused to help, citing privacy as being a higher concern than catching a criminal.
I don't post but do read the forums.

vman71 · « **Reply #12 on:** 15 Jan 2008, 06:31 pm »

Quote from: nathanm on 15 Jan 2008, 05:37 pm

I don't read the forums there very often but I'm curious; how would you know a post has been censored? Or are you only referring to your own experience?

On one of the threads in the "cables" section, during the holidays, the owner of Virtual Dynamics offer the first 20 people who replied, a free Power 3 power cable. I was one of the lucky people to have won one of the power cables. So I wanted to post the following after I recieved the Power 3 power cable:

"Thanks to Virtual Dynamics – Power 3 Promotion

I wanted to express some thoughts from the VD Power 3 promotion, in which Rick/Virtual Dynamics gave away a number of Power 3 power cables. It was a very generous offer that made the holidays even nicer for those lucky few.

I wanted to specifically point out the professionalism, friendliness and product itself. This was my first dealing with VD either directly or through second hand. Everyone at VD was very professional and friendly in their communications both through the phone and through emails. The Power 3 arrived the other day and it's a well-made cable that is also visually impressive.

Thanks again to all at VD for the generosity, professionalism and fantastic product! I would recommend Virtual Dynamics to anybody that is looking for cables."

They (Audiogon) would not post it because "Because it is too much like an advertisement and not really a forum discussion topic. There is nothing that would make that post acceptable for our forums."

I've had other instances where it took me 3 or 4 times to get something posted. So now, I write everything on a MSWord document and keep submitting the same thing until they post it.

Previously I had this issue with them:

ME: I guess you're just finding it easier to avoid having to answer the question. I find it ridiculous in your answer

AUDIOGON: "Our forums may take some time to post because they are monitored by administration staff. If a follow up statement does not get posted is because the statement either contained a negative comment or was off the subject of the original question."

ME: Then I see this post today:

"12-18-07: Slikric3000
Ya, and whats your wife Czbbcl. Sounds like a 50 cent ho.
Slikric3000 (Threads | Answers)"

Posting a comment by somebody, saying their wife is like a 50cent ho? Is that not a negative comment?

I found that hilarious and I've kept that email transaction as a reminder of their hypocrisy.

woodsyi · « **Reply #13 on:** 15 Jan 2008, 06:38 pm »

I bet the husband was not a featured partner.

Negativity only applies to sponsors and partners it would seem.

As a buyer, I look at the volume of feedback more than "quality" since there are only positive feedbacks.

rabpaul · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 Jan 2008, 03:29 am »

I only buy and do read their forum on a daily basis but have noted that on occasion my posts don't appear and I am very sure its not because of its content. Computer glitch?

Dan Driscoll · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 Jan 2008, 03:20 pm »

Quote from: BrassEar on 15 Jan 2008, 05:36 pm

>>Audiogon is still the best place to sell and although the feedback system is flawed, I still feel better dealing with someone at least 10 positive feedbacks.

Exactly. Audiogon is far from perfect but it's alot cheaper and better targeted marketing than ebay. I have experienced ZERO problems buying or selling there.

Ditto. I buy and sell only, I never post in the forums, although I do read them for research purposes on occasion.

vman71 · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 Jan 2008, 04:26 pm »

I agree that overall it's the best place to buy & sell but the constant increase in listing prices is ridiculous. Heck, posting in the "wanted" used to be free and now it's $6.

As far as the forums go, the biased and "for personal agenda" censorship of posting threads and responses is even more ridiculous.

I'm glad that AC and AA are not that way.

tonyptony · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 Jan 2008, 02:15 am »

Well, I've been a long time member of A'gon, so I'll chime in. Even if I'm not the biggest fan of some of their policies or prices, I still find it a valuable site. Different but no less valuable than here or AA. If your willing to abide by the policies (which are not, IMO, overbearing) you can have a healthy participation about a broad range of audio topics. Yes, sometimes threads do disappear, but they have their policy and that's how it goes. I've never seen it happen often enough to be a significant issue. Usually someone will start up a thread for the same issue and we'll all figure out how to keep the new one going so it won't go boom.

There are some long term, knowledgeable people there as well, and I find their contributions to be as useful as those here on AC. And yes, the listing now has a price tied to it, but it is by far the best site for high end buying and selling there is.

Brad · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 Jan 2008, 02:24 am »

Anybody here NOT a frequent visitor to Audiogon?

I would guess a lot of us here have used the 'gon to try equipment in our systems that we wouldn't
have been able to try otherwise.

Carlman · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Jan 2008, 02:31 am »

Brad makes a good point, it's 'THE' place to go. It's well-known, established, and works. I thought long and hard about creating my own hi-fi marketplace but I'm not so sure it'd take off... and of course, it's a LOT of work. Audiogon deserves the money they make.

The attitude of Audiogon 4 years ago was pretty laid-back but helpful. It has definitely changed and irritated a lot of people in recent months. I personally haven't had any trouble. I posted a couple of reviews there a few years ago as part of a promotion but haven't really 'participated' in the forums. I don't think you should have a forum and for-profit selling engine on the same site... If I were 'gon I'd get rid of the whole forum aspect and stick to the real goal of selling gear and provide better dispute resolution.

-C