Quandary: please help me decide

[amirm]

Hi guys. Need your input to decide something.

While I was at RMAF, I got an invitation to go visit the factory of one of the top five (?) audiophile loudspeaker companies (no, not Harman). They are offering to pay my way to go and see how the factory builds these high-end speakers and do a trip report. Their process and tooling very much aligns with my interest in using CNC machining to produce parts when I was discussing what they were doing at RMAF. It is a fascinating story of using state-of-the-art machining to optimize loudspeaker manufacturing/design.

Here is the problem. As you all know, I am not a professional blogger or reviewer. I don't make a penny from any of this and it is not my job. As much as I enjoy going and visiting these guys to learn what they do, and bring that information back to you guys, I feel like being paid to go do this would as a minimum take away any appearance of neutrality/lack of commercial interest on my part. I just can't get over starting a trip report with, "I was paid to go there and here is the story now." It cheapens why I do what I do to bring information to you all. To wit, my trip to RMAF was paid out of my own pocket and not funds from the forum donations.

Question for you all is whether you want to see such reporting. And look at it as a positive thing, and not what is bothering me about it. If so, then I may go ahead and do it. As it is, I am thinking of declining their kind offer. Or paying my own way there which is hard to justify for this project alone.

Appreciate any and all feedback.

 

[Barry2013]

Amir I've not read, seen or heard anything that leads me to question your integrity or professional judgement and I don't believe a paid trip to the speaker manufacturers would affect your impartiality.
So my vote is for you to go and I will be fascinated to read your findings.
'

 

[bonzo75]

Hi guys. Need your input to decide something.

While I was at RMAF, I got an invitation to go visit the factory of one of the top five (?) audiophile loudspeaker companies (no, not Harman). They are offering to pay my way to go and see how the factory builds these high-end speakers and do a trip report. Their process and tooling very much aligns with my interest in using CNC machining to produce parts when I was discussing what they were doing at RMAF. It is a fascinating story of using state-of-the-art machining to optimize loudspeaker manufacturing/design.

Here is the problem. As you all know, I am not a professional blogger or reviewer. I don't make a penny from any of this and it is not my job. As much as I enjoy going and visiting these guys to learn what they do, and bring that information back to you guys, I feel like being paid to go do this would as a minimum take away any appearance of neutrality/lack of commercial interest on my part. I just can't get over starting a trip report with, "I was paid to go there and here is the story now." It cheapens why I do what I do to bring information to you all. To wit, my trip to RMAF was paid out of my own pocket and not funds from the forum donations.

Question for you all is whether you want to see such reporting. And look at it as a positive thing, and not what is bothering me about it. If so, then I may go ahead and do it. As it is, I am thinking of declining their kind offer. Or paying my own way there which is hard to justify for this project alone.

Appreciate any and all feedback.

I think you should go ahead. You should also clarify with them, if they expect the trip report to be a promotional report or not.

 

[Rodney Gold]

Go.. report back..im sure no one would begrudge that your expenses were covered.

 

[ack]

You should go if they understand and agree that you will report exactly as you see it, no fluff, and you feel the same obligation as well.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

You've always expressed your opinions very honestly and openly don't shy away from anything. As long as they know you're going to present your findings warts and all, I say go for it.

 

[NorthStar]

Amir, you're a straight up guy...you know better than us what to do. :b

 

[marty]

That you would ask your readership for their opinions is very thoughtful, but unnecessary. Political correctness has gone too far indeed! What ever happened to "do the right thing"? Just go and have fun. Tell it like it is in your report and let the chips fall where they may. And if you don't want to go, I'll be happy to go instead Heh, heh, heh...

 

[dallasjustice]

Obviously the manufacturer has a great deal of respect for you and your opinions. The manufacturer also appears to be very confident of what your opinions/findings will be after you do the factory tour. It's clear to me that the manufacturer hopes that you will post about your experiences here on this forum. This is great for WBF.

Manufacturers follow WBF and want their products discussed in the most informative and neutral ways. I think an online forum can offer that type of credibility, especially when it comes from someone with the knowledge and experience to evaluate the product. Unfortunately, almost none of the reviewers who work for magazines can/will offer that level of credibility. I don't think your credibility would be sullied in any way, should you accept the offer. Of course, there will be those who criticize. Those folks are rarely restrained from doing so on this forum, which makes WBF such a fun place, IMO.

 

[LL21]

Amir,

- You have disclosed the fact that your expenses were covered. That sets the bar straight from the start imho.
- Personally, i think you've come across as a straight shooter for many years in any event
- If you absolutely hate what you saw and feel bad about a negative review, i think most people can read between the lines if you politely decline to say much other than a few banal comments

And if you love what you saw, and you've already disclosed the expenses bit, fire away. Frankly, i dont read this stuff looking for reps and warranties...buyer beware. But i absolutely love reading fun, thorough, passionate writing about great new audio experiences! So i look at it as entertainment...which no doubt it will be.

Play on!

 

[amirm]

That's great guys. Really appreciate the advice and kind words within. I was dreading telling them "no" at this point. I will go ahead and do it then. It is supposed to be sometime in November.

 

[taters]

I am wondering if they are offering the same deal to another audio website owner?

 

[Gregadd]

Harman is a top five speaker company?

 

[Gregadd]

That's great guys. Really appreciate the advice and kind words within. I was dreading telling them "no" at this point. I will go ahead and do it then. It is supposed to be sometime in November.

The first rule of conflict of interest is disclosure,disclosure ,disclosure..

 

[amirm]

Harman is a top five speaker company?

I said it was not Harman.

 

[amirm]

I am wondering if they are offering the same deal to another audio website owner?

I am sure they have done this for other reviewers and such. It is commonly done.

Kal, if you are reading this, did B&O pay for you to visit their factory?

 

[Gregadd]

I said it was not Harman.

Just joking. BTW I pay attention.I know you have already been to Harman.
In case I was not clear, I vote yes.

 

[Joe Whip]

I agree. I would have no problem going with the proviso that I would disclose the arrangement and report honestly with no interference or editorial control on their part.

 

[carolkoh]

Press "Junkets" happen all the time in other industries - I've gone on many of them as a games writer for MMORPG.com (that pays me) and other web-sites that I have volunteered my services at. As long as there is disclosure, as an editor said, "If I can't trust you to be objective about the game even if they are feeding you lobster and champagne, you and I are both doing the wrong thing."

As a LEDE to the article, the editor would disclose that the company paid for the trip and I as a writer often reminded my audience that only the best would be trotted out for the press. I have a talent for finding bugs during these press things, and I delight in letting my audience know I "broke the game"

So... go for it! Enjoy, and we look forward to your writeup!

 

[Ron Resnick]

Just go and have fun. Tell it like it is in your report and let the chips fall where they may.

Marty said it perfectly!