The following is a critical response based on my personal impression. Please don't mistake it for a personal attack. Although it may sound like one, it is not meant to be of ill will.
I'd consider buying the hypothetical tool as long as long as it had nothing to do with you or the companies you represent. As a public spokesperson for the company you work for I find you a little too abrasive and off-putting to even consider doing business with you.
As a consumer I choose to do business with those that are easy to work with. There's at least one guy on AZB that I'll refuse to do business with simply because I didn't like that he wouldn't respond to repeated attempts of communication, and here I was ready to spend $3k and more on his wares. So instead, his competition get's my money.
After reading some of your rants, (I'll admit I had to stop reading after 150 or so words into most posts) I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I'll not buy from you either. I don't need the aggravation. While I'm sure you are civil when hovering over the cash register I find it hard to get past some negative characteristics.
And just so you know, it has nothing to do with whether it's made in China or the USA, I could really care less, I just don't like the impression I have of you from reading your posts. Nothing more.
Once again I've fallen for the trap and got suckered into posting into a thread of dubious means (we all know it was baited so you could be vindicated in case someone admitted it's ok sell out). I just felt compelled to point out that your public persona is a little overbearing, but then again, I don't meet many sales people that I like anyhow.
Again, just my opinion based on the impression I get. YMMV.
Frank
[flak-jacket/on]
(sometimes it's just better to walk away instead of proving a point)
Thank you, your point is well taken. My German friend also used to tell me that the tone makes the music. Obviously I was then and am still tone deaf.
I only have one point to make about your well-meant criticism that you say is not a personal attack.
When you say this to me. "(we all know it was baited so you could be vindicated in case someone admitted it's ok sell out)."
Then it is a personal attack. I don't know who "we all" is, but obviously all the respondents to the original question don't feel this way.
Do you honestly think that at this point in my life that I need or want anyone's approval? Surely you don't think that I thought any of the people who are "against" me personally would suddenly vindicate or validate what I do.
For the last time, the question was asked because it's a hot button issue and it's FREQUENTLY put forth on this board by SOME people and SOME cue makers that anyone who does business outside America and especially with China are selling out the USA. I vehemently disagree with this for a lot of reasons. So I asked the question to spark debate based on the topic, not because I feel guilty in any way for being in China.
If you choose not to purchase from me or any company I deal with then that's your choice. I am sure that there are plenty of people who decide to purchase from me and the company I work for because of what I do stand for so it balances out.
The beauty of being an American is that you can choose to vote with your dollars for any reason you choose and I can decide who to sell to. All of us prefer to work with people we like, it's more fun that way. I don't need to chase business at the expense of my values.
I will conclude that if I went by first impressions then I would not have become friends with two of the greatest people on Earth, two people whose political views are 100% opposite of mine and yet any of us would take a bullet for the other.
As I said however, your point is truly well taken, thank you for taking the time to write it.