As some would know, a discussion thread was removed from public view yesterday regarding an unfortunate experience at an Hi-Fi retail outlet.

 

I'll set the record straight now, StereoNET has had no contact directly with the retail outlet named in this discussion thread, and it has been removed solely at the discretion of StereoNET.

 

While not totally relevant, It did not involve a StereoNET sponsor or recommended retailer.

 

StereoNET should not be used to name, shame or air grievances with industry members. It is our belief that there are always three sides to every story, and human nature dictates that when someone is posting an "experience" of a negative nature, some facts are often left out or it's not posted in the full context. There is also the problem of the named party not having a right of reply, but ultimately the question is why should StereoNET even be the medium that is used for discussions of this nature? There are other avenues for that - Google reviews being just one option.

We are about promoting the industry, good sound, and bringing together like-minded individuals. We run a professional, moderated website. It is not just another social media platform. Threads of this nature have no positive outcome, reflect very poorly on our own brand as a whole and its good standing within the industry. They are often are nothing better than a public display of tit-for-tat.

 

If you have a problem with a retailer, let them know directly, use your own social media pages (facebook, twitter) to have a rant. If it does specifically relate to a StereoNET sponsor, then please let me know directly. If it involves a brand or company we recommend then I do absolutely want to know. I have discontinued sponsorship agreements previously when StereoNET members have not been treated fairly.

 

We do not provide the forums for this use. I hope this makes sense to our readers, for the better overall experience and long term success of StereoNET and our community.

Marc, as you say there is always more than one side to a story and this is a tricky subject for sure.

I do wonder though whether we are potentially losing one of the benefits of our community if we are no longer able to warn fellow members about poor or even dodgy behaviour in the Hifi world ?

Edited September 5, 201411 yr by Sir Sanders Zingmore

Sir SZ, a good point however

 

i think a genuine grievance requires more than just a bruised ego or an isolated misunderstanding to initiate a smackdown thread

Edited September 5, 201411 yr by mello yello II

Marc, as you say there is always more than one side to a story and this is a tricky subject for sure.

I do wonder though whether we are potentially losing one of the benefits of our community if we are no longer able to warn fellow members about poor or even dodgy behaviour in the Hifi world ?

 

I am more interested in the after sales service, including warranty etc.  

 

The mentioned thread from yesterday was purely I hated the sales person in the shop as he treated me bad ( in his opinion) . If the fellow spoken to one of the other sales guys, he may have had a different experience?.

 

I totally agree with Mark. These types of threads serve no purpose except to look like a bunch of whining babies. Similar thread about a shop in Brisbane with a crusty owner - however he provides great after sales service for everything he sells.

 

  If the shop is that bad, commercial reality with lack of sales will ultimately decide its fate.

 

 The mentioned shop has been in business for many years and has always provided myself with excellent warranty service if anything has gone wrong with any of my purchases. 

 

For me, that is what is important long term - ability to provide warranty.

 

 

If there are any of these dodgy operators about, I think that should be reported on SNA   - @@Marc?

 

cheers

Edited September 5, 201411 yr by metal beat

Marc I have to agree with Trevor here, in that I see what you are aiming to achieve and yet the knowledge about what is not good is part of the value of SNA and is, to my eyes, in line with SNAs positive principles.

For example, I've thought twice about joining Popmarket due to their packaging problems. But that was after a good test of credibility had been made, there were photos.

Ive also been able to step in when one of my favourite hifi retailers, not a member, was being cited as an example of poor customer service. Not so, in fact my experience is of someone willing to help novices and even tyre kickers, as long as the customer wasn't daft. 'Daft' includes reading a few internet articles and believing you are an expert, or buying cheap reprint CDs and expecting them to perform like an audiophile-level pressing to the point where defects must be in the gear being auditioned. This raises the point that not every retailer has right of reply.

yesterday's thread came across to me as a full-on rant or spray, with little desire to work to a solution. I would rather see such threads locked after the first post with the question "have you tried to resolve this dispute with the retailer?" and still have the collective wisdom of SNA available to me, including poor packagers and the specific foibles to be found among Melbourne's eccentric hifi retailers ( and they all seem to have something, I think it's a joy! )

 

 

Edit: Popmarket

Edited September 5, 201411 yr by ThirdDrawerDown

While reading info on who are the good and who are the bad retailers is useful ,airing grievances on SNA could leave SNA open to legal action ,I would imagine??

That would not be good for any of us.

As entertaining these threads are to read, and gawd, some of them are hilarious... there are a multitude of places & ways to express a grievance.

 

IME other forums that allow this stuff to air, eventually end up not-nice-places-to-be.

 

Smack down the industry some where else. No good will come of it here.

Perhaps a listing of dealers and then no comments, just a ranking of smiley faces to suggest whether potential customers should go near them or not

 

May help them treat customers better to get the smiley faces up

Isn't it all the same thing?

 

Count the smilies

Count the red ballons

Count the times says "I'm not happy, Jan"

What about naming and shaming people in the "Feedback" section?

 

 

......<snip> 

 

StereoNET should not be used to name, shame or air grievances with Australian industry members. It is our belief that there are always three sides to every story, and human nature dictates that when someone is posting an "experience" of a negative nature, some facts are often left out or it's not posted in the full context. There is also the problem of the named party not having a right of reply, but ultimately the question is why should StereoNET even be the medium that is used for discussions of this nature?

... <snip> 

Isn't it all the same thing?

 

Count the smilies

Count the red ballons

Count the times says "I'm not happy, Jan"

 

Yeah but it gives the opportunity for the overall number to even out. Rather than one persons angry experience, it can be countered by positive experiences giving an overall indication of the retailer

 

It also includes no specifics of the situation so no one person is specifically named or shamed.

But.

 

It only balances out if every transaction is recorded as positive, neutral, negative; eg eBay.

 

This is fraught.

 

If only the customers who feel unhappy about the experience nominate, then that is biased. There may be 10 x more happy customers but they may not feel like nominating, coz they got what they expected, or they can't be bothered.

 

It is better to vent your spleen where you are the controller of the account eg Facebook etc, rather than a public forum where other people may be responsible for what others have to say.

Festivus has been cancelled until further notice

I've found that those with positive experiences are quick to voice same on this website. If someone starts a thread which others disagree with then it doesn't take long to pick up on it (right DVP???).

Is this more of a decision about a concern for conflict of interest with sponsors down the track?

Pity, I value reading personal experiences of members on this website.