a couple of discussion questions

just a couple of discussion questions that came to mind recently.

1.  would you buy a reptile from a dealer that you personally did not like.  Nothing wrong with the animal, it may even be a good deal.  the dealer may even be a honest individual, but there is jsut something about them that you do not like.  Personality wise the just rub you the wrong way.  Would you buy from that person if they had what you wanted.  No names please.

I'll start.  there are just some people that I will not buy from. I don't have problems with their animals, and I am sure that If i did buy from them I would be satisfied with the deal. there are just things about them that make me not want to deal with them

2.  Should it be necessary for a reputable dealer to be posting "what do you think of me?" type inquiries.

Again, i'll start.  If you are running a legit business I don't see the need to be making the above types of posts.  Are they that insecure that they need the ego boost.  

any further discussion would be welcome.  particularily on the first issue.

Steve Schindler

1. Depends upon the rarity of the animal he has that I want. If it's just personality reasons I can overlook them to get a specific animal I've been looking for. If there is a choice I'll look elsewhere.

The people I will not deal with in any situation are usually because of honesty issues.

2. I don't think there is a problem with asking what the public opinion is of your business dealings. I think you would have a good idea of honesty issues and the "do or die" type issues but sometimes you'll get to busy or tire or... and slip up on the finer points (for example answering emails in a timely manner). I usually try to ask person to person with my clients in my day job if there is something more we could be doing to help them. This one-on-one type of private poll allows them to air minor complaints that they would not bring up in a public forum such as this.

1) This one depends on how much I dislike the person for whatever reason, but also depends on why I dislike the person. Of course if I felt very uncomfortable about the person, like I could not stand him/her then I do not think I would buy from him/her. If it was a mild annoyance or minor dislike of some habit or trait then I think I might still buy from that person. Afterall, I know that in person to person sales (face to face no electronics at all except maybe the cash register) I buy thins from people that I do not necessarily like and even buy from some I dislike. That is part of supply and demand as in they are the only person to have what I need or have it at the right price, or it is convenient as in they are nearby and have it now. Of course if I kinow the person to be dishonest I would not buy from him/her ; that is unless it is a car dealer - after all aren't they all crooks (LOL)! I really hope none of you are car dealers (LOL again).

2) If you mean inquiries wherein a dealer asks: Inquiry Glenn Bartley (thats me, I use my own name not because of ego but not to piss any off by accidentally using somneone else's real name) - what do you think of me and my business ethics? Well that seems kind of ridiculous, almost as if it is a setup and the guy asking will have his friends write good reviews to boost his business. Then again it could be a real inquiry of someone who is legitimately trying to get some references for him/herself. If not either of these then I guess it is an ego thing.

Now if you also mean inquiries such as: Hi this is Glenn Bartley, and I want to know if you think this business practice of mine is valid and ethical; or hi this is Glenn Bartley and I want to know what you think of my plan - well I think these are great inquiries, I make them all the time. I am seeking knowledge and advice not an ego boost; and I think that others who do likewise are seeking the same.


Best regards,

Glenn Bartley
<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

1. &nbsp;If I don't like someone and I can find the same animal from a more reputalbe person.... &nbsp;I'd go elsewhere. &nbsp;Otherwise, it would take an animal that I wanted really really bad. &nbsp;Generally, I'd have to say no, or it would make me MUCH less likely.

2. &nbsp;I don't have any problem w/it for this reason. &nbsp;Sometimes ppl will spread rumors about ppl, for no good reason. &nbsp;Some times ppl will tell stuff from their point of view w/out you even knowing about it. &nbsp;I don't have any problem w/ppl asking about themselves if it is to make sure that there are no undeserving black marks on their record.

-Lucas Denning

1. It would depend on what they were selling and if I could get it elsewhere. As a general rule of thumb no. I feel your imperssion of someone has alot to do with the business.
2. </span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Ask for opinions. Rather than waiting for problems to appear, show your eagerness to engender confidence. If you're in retail, work up a survey and encourage customers to point out problems and suggestions. If yours is a more service-oriented operation, make face-to-face feedback a priority: &quot;Take your 10 best customers out to dinner and ask them if they have any concerns at all,&quot; says Egelhoff. &quot;If you build that sort of trust and confidence upfront, it's much easier to put fires out later. Try to make it easy for your customers to complain when they think it's necessary.&quot;

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This was from a article I read today about why your business can fail. Having run resturants for years surveys are some of your best tools to keep things going. Since most people that sell reptiles do so over the internet then why not ask the questions here. It would be too difficult to get together with them.

Steve, &nbsp; Those are some nice topic questions and I feel timed quite well for me personally. &nbsp;

1. &nbsp;Well Hmmm I suppose it would have to do with the reason I didn't like the person. &nbsp;If the person were an honest dealer and had very nice animals too boot, I think I might have a hard time disliking them anyway, because those are two qualities I truly admire in the business. &nbsp;If it were a personal reason that maybe that person had done myself or my friends wrong in some transactions then yes I would not deal with them, but if they were honest and had quality to begin with then no wrong could be done really. &nbsp;I suppose I have been lucky with all the people I have met or done business with. &nbsp;I have only had a few minor altercations with people while being in this business. &nbsp;ALL of them simply worked out through something this business needs more of which is COMMUNICATION. &nbsp;I just wouldnt want to lose a possible new friend, a great buy, or sale by making hasty jugdements on someones charactar. &nbsp;One case in point, &nbsp;Seamus Haley and myself got off to a real bad start at one point ( I know, no names right) , only because I think we both woke up on the wrong side of the bed one day and our paths were the first to cross. &nbsp;Through communications we worked it out with no means of using violence, immaturaties (well maybe one or two lol&#33<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>, or even posting about it here in the BOI, just two guys working it out on their own with no grudges about each other what so ever. &nbsp;Besides read some of Seamus's posts and how can you not love the guy! &nbsp;Basically what im saying is if someone rubs you the wrong way just give them a chance and maybe you'll make a new friend, who knows weirder stuff has happened.

2. &nbsp;If a reputable dealer is posting inquires on him or herself it could be someone just wanting to make sure they are doing business right, making sure everyone they have sold to are satisfied and happy. &nbsp;I personally would not post any inquires on myself just for that reason of not wanting people to think i'm only tooting my own horn and possibly trying to drum up business through it. &nbsp;If your doing things right in this business the people you take care of properly will take care of you as well, or at least that's what I like to think.

I think it all breaks down to treating people they way you wish to be treated. &nbsp;Most good people come around and can see eye to eye if given the chance, and if they don't, you at least tried. &nbsp;Just my opinions on the two excellent questions......Mike

I have a client in my &quot;day&quot; job that is so arrogant as to have all the mirrors in his bathroom (which is circular) pointed to that he can see himself at all angles. He went from an average joe to making over 100 million last year (took him a number of years to get to that point but still an amazing achievement). His arrogance and demeanor gives me a headache at every meeting (I have one today with him that I am dreading) but still I do business with him because he is honest and pays on time. I think this is the type of person that sschind was refering to.

With regards to the first question, it is, as many have already said, highly situational. The reason that the dislike is there is quite important, if it has something to do with their buisness then it's easier to avoid purchase... If it's personal, totally non-buisness related... Well it can still go either way. When i don't like someone, I tend to dislike them pretty deeply and I'm not certain if most people I dislike would 1) do buisness with me and 2) remain honest in this oppurtunity to cause problems for someone they dislike as well...

As to the second, it would depend on the tone and the person. Someone who was either starting out or attempting to increase their name after a period of low level dealings I can easily see it as being an honest query, looking for ways to improve and the positive things they have already done that can be repeated... Now, if someone established as &nbsp;a &quot;name&quot; did it, I'd be a bit suspicious of their motives.

And as to the interaction with Mike when I first met him... He's generally way too nice to say anything bad about anyone else no matter what they do. I am more than capable of waking up on the wrong side of the bed twice by myself and dragging people into it, I don't think he's capable of even contemplating starting fights. I'm just nasty for no reason on many occasions. He was nice enough to forgive me... Why is something I will never understand but he's one of those genuinely pleasant and forgiving people. It works for him somehow.

Seamus, &nbsp; I think you have mistaken my kindness for weakness! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> &nbsp; I truly am one of those people who just can't stand to have others dislike me. &nbsp;It has worked well for me in some instances and also gotten me in trouble in many. &nbsp;But most of all I know in my heart of hearts I will always have my own self respect knowing I give everyone a fair shake even if it blows up in my face. &nbsp;I really tend to believe in the saying, &nbsp;'you screw me once bad on you, you screw me twice bad on me'. &nbsp;I like to give most all people the benifit of the doubt as I like to think all people have a good side, Again, some poeple prove me wrong. &nbsp;It just amazes me how this particular business which is truly like no other, brings out some of the nicest, kindest , and honest people I have ever had the pleasure knowing, and it also tends to bring out some of the worst individuals I have had the displeasure of meeting. &nbsp;I know i'm 'off topic' here but for the first topic question if I just had someone rub me the wrong way would I still do business with them? &nbsp;The answers YES, if they were honest individuals with well cared for animals. &nbsp;I think I would just try to work out the problem with that person. &nbsp;There are also individuals I have never met, never spoke to, and never will, thanks to the BOI and it's members pointing out some of those truly 'bad seeded' ones. &nbsp; &nbsp; Thanks, &nbsp;Michael

Glenn,

I regards to your answer to my second question.

I was refering to the first situation you mentioned. &nbsp;I agree that seeking info regarding a business plan, or a business policy can be a very good way to get feedback.

Steve