Dealers hijacking the discussions

Mark Twain said it best...
Keeping your mouth shut and being thought a fool, rather than opening it...
B

I should add that when a manufacturer posts,  and it's someone like Ralph of Atmosphere it doesn't bother me at all... his posts are often technical in nature and it's clear to me that he is doing it with the best of intentions.  Plus he is informative and maybe I'll learn a little something by reading his post.   Sure there are others ,  but he comes to mind because he is active here.   As long as a manufacture does not use the forum as part of their marketing strategy , it's ok with me.  In fact it shows me that they care about their products, customers,  and reputation.   

Well the carefully and wisely assembled rules that govern the use of this forum clearly and expressly allow the active participation of dealers and manufacturers in these discussions and my review of the rules indicates that the same rules here apply to all who choose to participate there is no particular favor granted to any class of participant that how the forum works.

I have no issue with manufacturers and dealers posting here as long as they identify themselves as such when discussing products that they produce or sell.  That way you can better judge the credibility of their opinions.

I am on the record disliking dealers. That said, they bring a different perspective to the discourse here and, as long as they identify themselves, they should be allowed to post.

Just as with members their posts fall into the good, the bad and the ugly, but why should they be different than anyone else?

Of course they have a financial interest, but so does the cat that just dropped 15 large on the latest Audio Research contraption.