THE HIFI FIVE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION STREAMING LIVE ON YOUTUBE PREMIERING IN OCTOBER!

[Ron Resnick]

As a result of a viewer question on the show last night about my personal influencer status and accommodation discount purchases I responded that I don't disclose anything explicitly because I assume that people know that influencers receive accommodation discounts. But that does not satisfy my own ethical principle about transparency and disclosure.

So I have now written into my WBF signature the following disclosure:

Purchasing Disclosure: As an industry influencer I am privileged to have purchased my components at accommodation discounts, typically 40% off of MSRP. I have the Innuos Pulsar on long-term loan, courtesy of Innuos. The VTLs I purchased used. I paid full MSRP for the Gryphon Pendragon loudspeaker system.

 

[Kbh57]

Big kudos for taking this step. I think you are right that the availability of accommodation pricing is widely known, but probably not universally so. I hope others will follow your excellent example.

I’ve worked as a regulator, worked in heavily regulated industries, and currently sit on regulatory boards ehere potential conflicts of interest are an important and sensitive topic.In my view, potential conflicts of interest, whether through accommodation pricing, long-term loans, even straight out cash payments are not necessarily a problem if handled properly. The key is disclosure so that consumers can decide for themselves whether the circumstances warrant discounting the opinion presented by a reviewer or an influencer, or anyone else who touts certain brands or pieces of gear.

It’s not the accommodation that is toxic, it’s the lack of disclosure. And by accommodation, I mean any consideration that would not be generally available to a consumer who isn’t expected to discuss the product.

Thank you for your principaled stand, which ultimately benefits the consumers who finance this whole enterprise and should never be left out of these discussions.

 

[Bobvin]

How many “likes” or “followers” does it take to qualify as an “influencer?”

 

[PeterA]

Big kudos for taking this step. I think you are right that the availability of accommodation pricing is widely known, but probably not universally so. I hope others will follow your excellent example.

I’ve worked as a regulator, worked in heavily regulated industries, and currently sit on regulatory boards ehere potential conflicts of interest are an important and sensitive topic.In my view, potential conflicts of interest, whether through accommodation pricing, long-term loans, even straight out cash payments are not necessarily a problem if handled properly. The key is disclosure so that consumers can decide for themselves whether the circumstances warrant discounting the opinion presented by a reviewer or an influencer, or anyone else who touts certain brands or pieces of gear.

It’s not the accommodation that is toxic, it’s the lack of disclosure. And by accommodation, I mean any consideration that would not be generally available to a consumer who isn’t expected to discuss the product.

Thank you for your principaled stand, which ultimately benefits the consumers who finance this whole enterprise and should never be left out of these discussions.

I assume everyone even remotely involved in the industry gets some kind of accommodation price. I also assume almost no one pays full retail on the expensive high end items.

Regarding discounting opinions, that’s simply a matter of reading what is written or hearing what it said, and forming a judgment.

 

[Elliot G.]

Peter you know what they say about assuming

 

[Bobvin]

And here all along I’ve been reluctant to ask for any allowance if I’m buying something from a line not carried by Rhapsody. I guess that makes me the sucker. Damn!

 

[PeterA]

Peter you know what they say about assuming

Well, Elliot, almost everyone I know has gotten discounts on their expensive gear. So I am extrapolating and yes, that is an assumption. I understand your dealer perspective.

 

[Elliot G.]

Like I said you have an incredibly small sample

 

[Kbh57]

Well, Elliot, almost everyone I know has gotten discounts on their expensive gear. So I am extrapolating and yes, that is an assumption. I understand your dealer perspective.

Getting a discount is not the point. Sometimes I’ve received a discount from the list price and sometimes I have not. Maybe I’m not a very good negotiator. But I’ve never, not once, received anything of value with the expectation or understanding, spoken, or unspoken, that I would talk favorably, or talk at all, about the product. That’s the point..

 

[PeterA]

Getting a discount is not the point. Sometimes I’ve received a discount from the list price and sometimes I have not. Maybe I’m not a very good negotiator. But I’ve never, not once, received anything of value with the expectation or understanding, spoken, or unspoken, that I would talk favorably, or talk at all, about the product. That’s the point..

Yes, I understand your point, and I agree. I was expanding the point that these prices are often so high that people are able to get discounts, hobbyists and influencers alike. I was curious to read that Ron describes himself as an "influencer" in addition to his industry affiliations. I wonder what qualifies someone as an influencer and eligible for 40% discounts? I too applaud the transparency and disclosure. Accommodations in exchange for positive forum posts is quite interesting. I wonder how prevelent that is. Interesting topic.

 

[Elliot G.]

Correct the negotiation of a price has nothing to do with the subject of quid pro qou. If you are receiving value for your posts or reviews or videos without disclosing it then you are literally shilling .

 

[PeterA]

Correct the negotiation of a price has nothing to do with the subject of quid pro qou. If you are receiving value for your posts or reviews or videos without disclosing it then you are literally shilling .

How does this relate to audio "influencers"? Ron stated that he thinks people assume influencers do receive some price accommodations. I doubt they all disclose it. I appreciate Ron's disclosure. It seems unusual to me. Given the sensitivity of the subject, I don't think there will much of an honest discussion of this on a public forum and then it will be dismissed because of lack of specifics. So it goes.

 

[adyc]

Everyone knows influencers got discounts. But not many people know the quantity of discount. I applaud Ron’s transparency. This is the first time I read explicitly the discount is 40%.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Everyone knows influencers got discounts. But not many people know the quantity of discount. I applaud Ron’s transparency. This is the first time I read explicitly the discount is 40%.

influencers is a nebulous term, used by different people in different ways, Ron is a dealer and hifi forum owner as well as an influencer. as a dealer he mostly can get dealer cost (generally less 40%) for his own use in any case. so his disclosure likely surprises few.

not all influencers view themselves as industry insiders at all, although some do....and truly are.