AudioBanter.com - View Single Post - Atkinson corruptly accepts audio discounts

(Bruce J. Richman) wrote in message ...
Nousaine wrote:
"Michael McKelvy" wrote:
"tor b" wrote in message
. com...
Anyone think he pays retail? ;-)

Do you think anybody who writes for any audio magazine pays retail?

Actually that's one of the 'draws' of the trade. The 'writing' certainly
doesn't pay that well ....I'm hoping that Mr Atkinson will wil drop in
and tell use exactly what the Stereophile "writers" are paid....but the
availability of products at an industry accomodation price (roughly 65%
of MSRP) for review samples (read that as "used" pieces) is an
attraction. And the long-term loans are an even better deal.

Are you willing to divulge what the writers for Sound & Vision or
other magazines you write for are paid? For that matter, why should
any magazine editor or writer discuss their fees with the reading public?

I agree, Dr. Richman. I don't think this is something that needs to be
made public. Note that this is not the first time Tom Nousaine has referred
on r.a.o. to the subject of how much Stereophile's writers are paid.

But in regard to the initial question I'm guessing that Mr Atkinson
personally pays for very little. Either he gets products for long-term
loans OR his employer pays for all the other products at accomodation
pricing.

Does that differ from the practice in effect at other audio magazines?

I believe that Stereophile's policies are more rigorous than those at other
magazines, but I don't have hard information on the latter, of course.
Speaking for myself, I have personally purchased almost every piece of audio
equipment in my system, at the usual accommodation price, which tends to be
the price the dealer pays. This is not "corrupt," as the offensive thread
title states, and must be put against the need for reviewers to have more
than one reference available.

In my opinion there's nothing especially wrong with the practice but
readers should be aware of what it might be.

That same level of awareness should then apply to all audio magazines.

I agree.

And regarding all the silliness in this thread about my "Mercedes
collection," I don't see the relevance of this to audio. Surely how
I choose to spend my disposable income is up to me?

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile