Hahahaha, dude... the ski pimp? Is that self declared? Wow...
Anyway. I'm saying that anyone who promotes a ski brand they are affiliated with and passes it off as an unbiased opinion (what? I don't work for company x. I work for company y! Clearly, you can listen to me) shouldn't be listened to. See, the thing is, it doesn't matter if he's skiied the 9wards. They could be tinfoil wrapped around 2x4s and he'd still give them a good review. That, I have a problem with. I never said the skis sucked. Damned if I know if they do. I said presenting an opinion in that way is something that should be pointed out lest someone actually LISTEN to him and treat what he says as a realistic opinion of the skis' performance. You talk highly of skis you sell to sell them. That's okay when you're in a sales atmosphere... I mean, hell, you're clearly working for the shop, you're expected to hype a product up. But misrepresenting a biased opinion as a neutral one? That should be flagged. Threads like this are designed to help people make the right decision for them (which may be absurd anyway, but that's beside the point). Saying, essentially, "Buy these skis because I'm affiliated with them" is crap.
Personally, when I make a comment about anything in this industry, it's because I actually believe it. Not because it's coming out of my interests, and not because it's going to get me something.