is audiogon good for the audio industry or bad?

Well said Scpetscott. I've been to more than a few hi end stores and have been very disappointed with the service and most of all the sound. In fact I've never went to a store and heard something and though I've got to have that. Not to mention at least half of the time I've felt there was a real snobby attitude to go along with it. Personally the advice and knowledge I get from experienced and devoted audiophiles on this site means far more to many than any visit to a dealer. If I am interested in a product I would almost be afraid to go hear it at a dealer since I don't expect to get a real impression of it and what it will sound like in my system. The only reason I would go into a dealer now would be to see what a speaker looks like in real life. I wouldn't even ask to hear it. And I do agree that it is not cool at all to go waste a dealers time when you have no intention of buying.

Some of the comments on 'need to support the b&m' crowd remind me of BO's refrain 'that it is your patriotic duty to pay more taxes'. I wish there was a 'used' government I could purchase at half price, like most of the audio equipment I have purchased used, some from B&M dealers. Just as a new car is the worst economic way to purchase a car, so is the new piece of audio equipment. Wait, let it go into the 'used' market. I don't feel bad about behaving the way I do, just like the used car market supports the new car market, in audio it is no different. I do test drive new cars to get the feel of what I could like to buy used. As the car leasing business has proven, bargains are there for those that wait. So, continue to 'kick the tires' at your local audio dealer, you are doing his customers a favor. Just tell the dealer you are waiting for a 'certified, pre owned unit'.

the ability to unload used equipment and upgrade I believe is good in the long run. I have upgraded to new equipment that i could not have bought without getting reasonable dollars for my used equipment the result that i keep trading and more trades mean more purchases and more expensive at that. On the flip side, yes, the folks buying from me are buying used, not new...but that doesnt mean all of their equipment is used and they too may trade and upgrade and purchase new equipment down the road. more trades are good for the business.

The only reason I would go into a dealer now would be to see what a speaker looks like in real life. I wouldn't even ask to hear it.
03-02-09: Ejlif

LOL, if all the B&M stores go by the wayside you will still be able to look at a picture in a Magazine. LOL, might even have a scratch and sniff feature someday.....

I wish there was a 'used' government I could purchase at half price, like most of the audio equipment I have purchased used, some from B&M dealers. Just as a new car is the worst economic way to purchase a car, so is the new piece of audio equipment. Wait, let it go into the 'used' market. I don't feel bad about behaving the way I do, just like the used car market supports the new car market, in audio it is no different.
03-02-09: Buconero117

But what if everyone thought the same as you? I guess the used market would continue to feed on itself. The used, used, aftermarket, LOL.
Of course the manufactures would eventually go out of business. Even if all the manufactures have their products made in China they will still go out of business if there are no buyers for their product.

Viridian and Jea48 have hit the nail on the head. While it's a free market, if a large percentage of equipment purchases were of used products instead of new, it could be impossible for many high end companies (manufacturers, distributors, and dealers) to survive. It's a self fulfilling prophesy. Buying used is okay, as long as you accept that often there is no warranty, the cosmetic condition most often is less than perfect, the product may have been superseded by a more recent version or model with better performance, and most importantly an audition especially in your own system may not be possible. As a dealer I make every effort to demonstrate current products meaningfully, loaning out equipment to customers for home trial, supporting the products after the sale, giving generous trade-in allowances and fair prices. I may be an exception among retailers, but maybe that's because I was an audiophile for 30 years before becoming a dealer. I may be the antithesis of what Scpetscott describes, where he feels pressured to make snap decisions in a matter of minutes. At the same time most people are not going to use your resources by coming for a demo and then buying online. The dealer who is little more than a box mover is going to suffer the most, I think deservedly so. My clients value the knowledge, advice, and customer service I provide for long term satisfaction. I have traveled long distances to deliver and set up equipment to ensure it performs optimally as expected and will continue to do so. I do my utmost to bring significant value to each and every transaction.

Just as you wouldn't buy a car you don't know about except for pictures and specifications without a test drive, why would you risk doing so with mail order and online retailers for significant audio purchases? The idea of sending something back if you don't like it is bogus, because statistics show a lot of people won't even if they don't like it. I hear that all the time. Likewise, the idea of buying something used with the intent of reselling it for about what you paid if you don't like it is like throwing darts and is a waste of time. I see some people changing their equipment very frequently, buying stuff unheard and unseen, making buying decisions because they read something in a magazine or something online posted by people whose identities and allegiances are unknown. After a while you say what's the point. Life is too short.

No matter where you are, my advice as a longtime consumer is find a retailer who will take the time to explain and demonstrate the equipment that interests you, will let you try it at home, will set up the equipment you purchase in your home, will help you long after the sale, and has prices that are mutually fair. If you do not intend to do business or are considering buying used, be up front with the dealer. I respect people's purchasing decisions and welcome their curiosity regardless but expect to be treated in kind.