Is it all good or are there still lemons out there?

Judging by the numerous posts by new members seeking advice on what audio/visual equipment to buy, this forum is clearly a valuable and valued source of information. The extent to which established members are prepared to share their wisdom and experience is nothing short of amazing. However, the usual format is as follows: a new member asks for guidance in his purchasing decision, established members respond by giving the thumbs up to a particular brand of audio/visual gear and suggest that the new member audition a selected range of equipment to establish which best meets his preferences or requirements. Very rarely, if ever, are we told to avoid a particular brand or model because it is rubbish. Is this because the established brands do not produce any rubbish components? Or are we so locked into our loyalty to a particular brand/s that we are unable to offer a truly balanced view? Would new members seeking advice not be better served by being told what brands or models to avoid? Would it be useful to have a thread outlining the negative experiences of members with a particular audio/visual component?