I am curious, if you were a lab, would you post pics?
I honestly wouldn't. Many guys are throwing out that it's not risky for them and all of that but in my opinion it is.
I believe that photos of equipment signifying a large scale operation would get more priority from LE than a couple of hand crimpers.
I understand the need for the board to know where the gear comes from, but honestly would photos of an autoclave make the floaters found irrelevant?
Hell, most major companies don't do public tours, so why would illegal ones?
I'm not saying it's right, obviously we all want to see behind the veil. I'm just saying if a brewer is as paranoid as I am, it wouldn't happen.
I remember a while back in December you had this opinion. I was out of the country out of the time and Tap A Talk did not let me post.
If I was a lab. I would post pics. I would do it in a manner that did not give away any identifying information ( like my mail ). I'd avoid serial numbers or equipment brand. I'd also avoid wide area pics and just focus on the equipment. Kind of like Pics of my wife's tits vs her full body. I'd also ensure the camera had no gps feature enables and I'd strip all data.
If you look at Astro's pics, it's not indicative of a large scale operation. Rather a nice school lab setup.
Also no an autoclave won't prevent floaters or infections, shit you can have an autoclave and be too busy to use it just to get orders out.
However something like an autoclave is indicative of someone who has some money and love invested in the game. And this game takes time to figure out. From brewing, to powder sources to distribution.
In addition, I have said this in another thread and will repeat again, a pic is a concession from a source who is not in it for a quick 10k.
Mind you having good equipment won't keep you from fucking up and having an attitude problem.
Steps like labmax, good shipping and timely and polite customer service still need to be assessed.
Pics also have the added benefit of keeping a bad lab from easily coming back. I don't know about you but I have had 2 infections and 1 known issue of Underdosed gear so if i can prevent a loss of money and time I'll take it any day.
The public company touring example does not fly with me. There are disgusting slaughterhouses that don't show you what they do for obvious reasons. There are also humane farms that show you how they work. I buy humane and eat organic btw. I reward the company that is best for me and my health.
I by no means am being disrespectful. Your a nice guy. I like 14 the internet persona.
I think maybe your scared of losing sources is why your not more demanding of these sources ?
I told someone else, if this is your fear, go to thread Top forums created by me and go to those boards and you'll get the best sources out there without a referral.