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Critic's Corner Discuss a review. Provide constructive feedback. Talk to the industry. |
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Critic's Corner Discuss a review. Provide constructive feedback. Talk to the industry. |
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In Reply to: Re: Regarding your comment of it being... posted by John Atkinson on February 21, 2007 at 07:44:38:
regards the desirability of comprehensible policy that would have the effect of articulating sound business practices.Stereophile, IMHO, leads the critical review community in this regard, and I have already stated my opinion that it is to be commended for doing so.
It now appears that one category of product, i.e. cables, is in some manner unique, and the particulars would seem to create opportunities for misunderstandings. I have merely indicated that there seems to be no fundamental reason for such unique treatment.
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Now back to pactical concerns, why not simply make it a matter of policy that manufacturers agree in advance to accept return of a test units by way of COD shipment from Stereophile, simple as that, no consideration given to residual value, nor anything else.
Unambiguous simple policy is obviously highly desirable and in this instance I can only imagine that something similar couldn't but please anyone who sought "... a common standard of behavior regarding review samples...".
Now the issue of long term loans has also propped up and, again, it seems to me that it would be prudent to review current practices given the potential for a long term loaner being construed as somewhat akin to a "gift".
The benefits of a reviewer having access to certain components for reference purposes are obvious, but how can one truly deny the suggestion of potential favorable bias toward a manufacturer who generously grants a long term loan?
Clearly if such components were purchased (at the industry concession rate) this potential gray area would be eliminated. Moreover upon sale of such a component, one that in all likelyhood has been designated as amongst "best of breed" by the reviewer, the magazine could reasonably expect to recoup at least a very substiantial portion of cost.
True this would involve some economic pain, and would likely result in access to fewer "reference" components, but the benefits likewise cannot be reasonably denied.
This, and the related issue of treatment of cable products, is something I, and I imagine many others, strongly feel would benefit from common standards, and as befits its' leadership role I would like to see Stereophile take a lead in this.
The leader of the pack doesn't complain of a double standard, it sets the standard!
No Guru, No Method, No Teacher
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Follow Ups
- I have made it abundantly clear that my concern - bjh 10:12:06 02/21/07 (0)
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