Not from SE, but wanted to throw my opinion into the ring. 

First, as introduction, I am NOT a VAR or vendor. I work for a very large manufacturing company, which has a very large IT department. 

I think VAR's and vendors do have a place at the table, and can offer a lot of very good information. However, the help needs to be technical, not sales in nature. If the answer isn't technical in nature, and only attempts to sell a solution, I think it should be down-voted, and if possible removed. 

Hope this adds to the conversation. Thanks.