Equipment Emporium

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Frequently Asked Questions

Published: 08/22/10

Why can't I access most of your content pages? Other equipment sales sites are free to browse, but yours are password protected.

We require a modest donation (subscription) to access our site because websites like this cost money to create and maintain. Unlike other sites, we do not SELL equipment to generate income. That allows us to be unbiased and not beholding to distributors and manufacturers. In addition, our site goes beyond just being a sales catalog in that we review and evaluate equipment; post numerous articles & tutorials; answer questions on the Forum; and provide valuable advice.

Some of your content is available on other sites.

True, because we have been writing and publishing for many years, and our expertise is widely respected. For the convenience of our readers, we sometimes link to or provide copies of some (openly available to the public) files, such as operations manuals and manufacturer spec sheets. It saves them from having to search on their own for these important documents.

How do you determine which products to feature? And why don't you post negative reviews?

There are a zillion products out there, so we try to focus on the ones that are standards of the industry or most popular. Manpower restraints prevent us from covering them all, but we try to do the best we can. It is true that we avoid flaming a product or ripping it apart editorially. If a product does not impress us, we would rather just omit it then publish a scathing review. There are a lot of hungry lawyers out there, and we cannot afford to invite lawsuits! Also, if the manufacturers begin to fear us, then they will avoid cooperating with us. And that would prevent our access to their new products, or their engineering staff.

Then how would I know which products you have left out because you do not like them, opposed to which products you have not reviewed because you did not get around to them?

The reality is, you will not know. Just because we have not reviewed a product does not imply that there is anything we dislike about it. As for the products that we have deliberately omitted, we cannot single them out, for the reasons stated above. If you are curious about a product that we have not reviewed, feel free to email us.

How can you remain unbiased when you accept links or sponsored banners from dealers or manufacturers?

We accept paid sponsorships because it is about the money. They call it "show business" because it is, and always has been, a business. But that does not mean we have to sell off our integrity. I have been writing for trade magazines for years, and never once have I endorsed a product that I did not believe in. I ran a company, Equipment Emporium, that went out of its way to treat customers honestly and fairly. We do maintain a strong sense of ethics: we do not accept advertising from companies with bad reputations; nor do we promote products that are known to be sub-standard in performance, manufacture, or support. It took a lifetime to create a reputation around my name; and I am not about to sell it all away just to satisfy a greedy marketer.

My professor is requiring all of the students in her class to subscribe to your site. Isn't that being unfair?

Quite the contrary. Your professor is actually saving you a lot of money. We have a special rate for students; and you're actually paying way less than you would for just one book!  You get the entire contents of my own textbook, plus a ton of additional information, for way less than the bookstores would nail you for.

I've tried calling the phone number for Equipment Emporium. The 800 number no longer works, and all I get at your new number is voice mail. What gives?

Equipment Emporium is no longer a store. We no longer sell gear. All that we do is teach, run workshops, run this site, and try to make a living. As for the 800 number... if they are calling, it is to pick our brains; not to make a purchase. They can pay for their own call. Besides, just about everyone has free long distance phone service. About the voice mail, well, there is no more store. If I sat around my cramped office all day long just answering the phone, I'd never get anything done.

For any other questions you might have, please contact us.