This needs a proper definition if it’s to have any value. I believe many people who are obviously (to others!) “in the trade” would not recognise themselves as “in this hobby to earn a living”. Most start of with and are driven primarily by a personal enthusiasm for music and hifi; if they spot and exploit a commercial opportunity in the field, it doesn’t make them any less of an enthusiast. They are not therefore in this hobby to earn a living and therefore by this definition not in the trade.
Try this and tell me what is wrong with it: “Regardless of any personal interest in music and hifi, if you have a commercial interest in this hobby then you are considered to be in the trade. “Commercial interest” is the provision of products (whether new or pre-owned) or services aimed at the hifi enthusiast/audiophile market including but not limited to equipment, accessories, servicing and repairs. It requires the receipt of direct payments, indirect payments such as sponsored advertisements or payments-in-kind eg product discounts or “long term loan” for product reviews. It does not cover one-off sales of personally owned equipment unless this represents a self-evident income stream”.
