E-Mails, Phonecalls and General Communication Skills

Simon

I've worked in the retail world for blinkin' ages now, and if there's one thing i've learned (learnt?), it's that customer service is the most important thing. I also think that this translates to day to day life. What I mean is that if someone asks me to do something or asks me a question, then I will do my best to respond to that, in a fairly prompt way.

Example a. I get an email from someone i've never met and who lives in another country, but has read the blog and wants to offer me some encouragement.
what do I do? I read the e-mail, and reply saying thanks very much for taking the time out to offer your support. And I genuinely mean it.

Example b. I get an e-mail from someone asking if we will stock their book when we open. It is about Llama Farming in Stockport
what do I do? I reply saying thanks for the e-mail, but to be honest it probably isn't our market. I may suggest they get in touch with Llama farms or a bookshop in Stockport.

OK, so I've been sending a few e-mails recently to various people letting them know about our bold and exciting venture (opening a bookshop in Wood Green), and wondering if they could help in anyway or if they knew someone who could. I've done my best to send these to people who I genuinely think are appropriate. I'm sure they're all much busier than me, but the response i'm getting is a little thin on the ground. Thanks to all those people who have replied, even if it was a 'no, but good luck' type of thing.
Am I deluded in thinking that I should get a reply from more than 10% of the people I e-mailed, or is the 'delete, delete, delete' function one that is to be expected, and i'm just an annoying little twat, who should just shut up, and stop sending e-mails.

I realise that when my Mum reads this she'll be on the phone straight away telling me that I never return her text messages, and that I still haven't sent my Auntie a thankyou letter for my birthday, but I really mean to do it soon.