To give an example, a couple weeks ago a local-to-me dealer had a number of guns on GB, a couple of which I was interested in. I emailed him asking (a) whether he would allow in-state buyers to pick up rather than go through shipping to their FFL 30 or 40 miles up the road and (b) a question or two about the gun I was interested in, seeking to clarify his description.
He got back to me with straight answers.
I did not bid on the gun, but that was a function of the bidding having gone over my budget by the time I signed in an hour or so before the auction ended.
Does that make me a "bad" potential customer?
I was favorably impressed with his forthrightness and responsiveness - and thanked him for it in a brief email replying to his response. And I would consider doing business with him if I saw something he listed that I liked.
Example 2. Every dealer who won't respond to an email, or won't provide as-clear-as-possible pictures of the bores.
I won't do business with them. I'm gratified for them that they have been so successful that they don't need my money.
I try to ask straight questions and like straight answers. I'd rather a guy say he doesn't know than try to bullshit me.
At a gun show, I will step back while looking at someone's wares if he has another customer come along. I like chatting with the sellers to learn about what they're selling. I also like seeing how they treat other customers - to see if it's different from how they treat me.
And if I see something I want/need and the price is right, I buy it.
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BTW, and a bit OT - if you want to shut down a telemarketer and make him go away, ask him whether he's accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. Works.
