echappist wrote:
Again, mere insinuation using weasel words. You introduce the thought he may be biased without concrete evidence that he is.
Exactly my intent, I introduced that he is a SRM retailer and therefor the potential bias when discussing merits of SRM products. It also potentially gives him the benefit of being a subject matter expert. Sword sharp on both sides type of thing.
echappist wrote:
Let's take the premise that a srm dealer is a biased person as true (which it clearly isn't), how do the fact that a) he also sells other PM and b) he doesnt profit from the selling change the situation? Do you want him to list all the companies for which he act as a conduit to satisfy your urge for transparency? That your reaction is still "he's may be biased" as opposed to addressing either a) or b) as he has stated is indicative of confirmation biases of your own. This isnt a case of a non-fiduciary financial adviser pushing some horrible product to take a commission and you acting as the white knight warning your elderly parents that the unctuous banker at the local branch may have ulterior motives.
If I were at the bar and a Ford sales person was espousing the performance and features of the Mustang then I would suspect he has potential bias. It really doesn't matter to me if he also sales other car models OR if he isn't a good salesperson w/r to profit. I don't see why you are getting so wound up here.
echappist wrote:
And since you are so keen on making others be transparent, what is to say your own quips are without bias? C'mon now, disclose your own affiliations, meters you might have used, and any experiences dealing with faulty equipment. I've been forthcoming disclosing my experiences upthread (though i really don't need to), and for a person alleging appearance of conflict of interest, you ought to at least do the same yourself.
I'm not a retailer for any type of product so there are no possible associated bias. I do get my team kit for free and we have a beer sponsor.... so at the time I discuss the performance/merits/opinion of Saku Beer or Champion System clothing I'll say so.
echappist wrote:
And while we are at it, this is a semi-private internet forum, and there are valid reasons why one would not want to disclose one's retail connections. Some people are plainly too much PITA and go into purchase inquiries thinking that you ought to provide "bro deals" as a matter of right. @Tetonrider also doesnt need all the inquiries as his time is highly valued and just doesnt need the drain on his time. He also does coaching; should he state that whenever he makes a post about training recommendations? Some of us here wish to remain private citizens and wish to avoid publicity if at all possible.
I didn't ask for any of his personal details or business details. He can keep his privacy. A simple... "and I sell/service/use powermeters and SRM is one of my retail brands" is good enough for me.
echappist wrote:
N.B. lest you think disclosure statement, per se, would somehow improve discourse, i'll just point to the way that Mr. Rapp has behaved (see links to posts upthread) in his defence of Quarq. He was a sponsored rider at the time (if not now) and was incensed that i dared to criticize Quarq, effectively calling me a liar. The problem was a well known issue for Quarq, but he gets to throw his weight. Have you applied the same level of scrutiny to him? Where were you in that exchange calling out the conflict of interest (you've been on this board for 9 years)? You actually posted in the thread that referenced to the thread in which Mr. Rapp posted; why didn't you chime in? Why is it that you have more than 1800 posts here but have yet used the word "bias" in only one of the posts and directed at only one person? You seem like a nice enough guy, so why don't you disclose all your PM and email records so we know that you are a fair and impartial arbiter? It's only the logically consistent request in the name of "transparency."
Yes, Jordan should disclose who his sponsors are. This helps me make a personal value judgement on his comments and opinions.
I never claimed to be fair and impartial and don't think anyone else has to be on this forum. I just think it is important if you are a retailer for a product to list that bit of information if you are going to make comments on the product. Pretty simple in my opinion, maybe you read my comment with far to much snark and malice.