Quote Originally Posted by Richard View Post
Colin you are obviously an intelligent man and I completely agree with you. BUT it is early days in the revolution. Even though I have my disputes 'wiv der management' at wigwam, I still think it represents the future far more than here or PF and DEFINITELY not ZG. Reason - it has developed community. This is the future of the web, and has been my point in numerous past posts. It is not just selling on the web, that is a very small part of the equation. All hobby industry will or should develop this community, what is in the way of it - well the marketing men and retailers who pollute the web with their bullshit. There are many who don't and try to become part of community instead of trying to feed of it, and if they want to survive that is what they should do - have to do - to get goodwill.

The advice given and especially the bakeoffs at wigwam for me are the largest and strongest current finger pointing at the future. Head-fi in the US has similar. The customers *own* home will become the future retail point, but instead of being financially and marketing based, it will be information and community based. Groups of local enthusiasts who *want* to have like friends and people to help and help them. That is the future and if I have my way that is the way this forum will go as it has enormous potential as being the only one that hasn't had the management succumb to trough slurping.
I can see, and understand what you want (hope) to achieve, and to be honest, anything that stops the march of the I thing, and the dreaded MP3 into the home of music fans needs to applauded and supported. The bake off system can be used and equally well abused by retailers, makers, and general muppets like me, and too an extent I am wary of them for that reason, but they could very well be a way forward.
I think you also have to be equally aware of the latest and greatest phenomenon, that sweeps most of the boards, plus the follow my leader syndrome.
Have you considered having regional ''fan boy's'' that can borrow your kit to demo to other people in their homes (I'm not proposing to be one) as an adjunct to your e-bay site. It may be that it is a cost effective way to air your products in a friendly, non sales environment, among a group of similar minded music fans.

As for the wam, I am still a regular user of the place and to be honest a bit surprised at your trough comments. I know that they charge for trade users, but seeing as a number of us also contribute towards its cost just to use it, seemed a fair idea to me. Nowt for Nowt as we say, even on the net.