What concerns me even more is that I have heard six different people tell
me they have been threatened, intimidated,  and lambasted for their
opinions (which they shared on the histonet) by companies they gave
unfavorable comments about

As you said, Money for capital equipment usually requires years of
begging, bribing, and sometime very "creative" financing.  Knowing what
the options are and how they compare is required. We don't just go to the
nearest car dealership when we need a new vehicle. We investigate the
choices and choose the one that best fits our needs and our wallets.
Equipment demos are helpful but daily user opinions are far better.

If companies who monitor the histonet can't understand that the freedom
of expression is a CONSTITUTIONAL right and that participants of histonet
exercise this right to express their solicited opinions than maybe they
should "Unsubscribe".

My last two cents on this subject.
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