Dealers hijacking the discussions

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.

I love many dealers.  They are all trying to make a living and that now means figuring out how to use all social media to their advantage.  I get that and resect that as most on here do. It's when it become's blatant selling that it's a distraction from a thread etc...

Those of us who are 'fanboys' ( I do hate that term) of a certain product we own or want to own, will always post about it in threads.  Many folks are very active posters and are known for what we love etc..., but most who are fan boys have also auditioned a TON of gear to get to what our ears like.  We realize that others hear differently and will become fanboys of their own products etc...  That's what I love about the forums.  I have learned about so many other pieces of gear other than what I own and I've changed my system a more than I ever did before because of it.  

I haven't purchased one item, due to a dealer or manufacturer hawking it on this or any other site.  It's because I trust my ears (or even the ears of two close friends who I've met here) and know what I want.  When we all upgrade, that doesn't mean that we don't still love what we used to own, it just means we are blessed to be able to find something even better and can afford it.  

This is why I love the exchanges between average Joe posters like myself.  I know some, but not all the dealers or manufacturer's, so I'm in the camp that they must put into their signature who they are.  Many of you have mentioned folks who are just sharing to share and not to sell, I love it.  Charles Hansen was one of the best at doing that as well as guys like Ralph and others.  

It's funny, but I haven't read or posted as much as I used to and partly because of being turned off a bit.  LEt's see if some folks change their style of posting a bit as it seems like many would love that.