THE CUSTOMER WHO CAN'T AFFORD IT WILL STILL PRICE IT FOR HOURS

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THE CUSTOMER WHO CAN'T AFFORD IT WILL STILL PRICE IT FOR HOURS

Whether online or offline, time-wasters behave the same way.

That prospect you want to approach? Let me show you how to know if they have money before you start marketing — whether it’s in your shop or in your DM.

First sign — how they ask about price.
Offline, someone with money will touch the product and ask, “How much?”
Online, they’ll message you saying, “Hello, please how much is the blue gown, size 12?”
See the difference? Specific questions show seriousness.

Watch how fast they respond.
In your shop, someone with money won’t spend 10 minutes calculating.
Online, they won’t take three days to reply after you send the price.
Quick decisions show available funds.

Check their behavior.
In a physical store — are they carrying a basket or just walking around?
Online — are they saving multiple items or just viewing?
People with purchasing power gather options, not just look.

The questions they ask matter.
“You get warranty?” works both online and offline.
Someone asking this is thinking long-term. They have money for quality.
But “Your last price?” — whether in-store or DM — is a red flag.

Look at how they enter your space.
Do they walk into your shop with confidence or scroll through your page with purpose?
Both show purchasing power.
Someone hiding in a corner or using an anonymous account — same thing.

Body language and profile language say a lot.
Offline — watch if their hand shakes when you mention price.
Online — check if their profile shows real life or just vibes.
Real money shows itself everywhere.

Look at consistency.
That customer who buys small items every week from your shop has money.
That online follower who orders monthly has it too.
Regular anything beats one-time everything.

Payment behavior is the same.
In-store — do they bring out money fast or search every pocket?
Online — do they send payment quickly or start giving stories?
Money that’s available doesn’t hide.

Time of activity matters.
Someone who enters your shop at 2pm on a Tuesday or messages you during work hours has more purchasing power than weekend window shoppers — online or offline.

Check who they come with.
Offline — did they come with a driver or ten noisy friends?
Online — do their mutual friends buy or complain?
Birds of a feather flock together.

The multi-channel test.
A customer who sees you online and still visits your shop is serious.
Someone who’s everywhere but never buys anywhere is just surveying.

Quick filter method: Mention payment.
Offline — say “We accept transfers too.”
Online — say “You can make payment via transfer, here’s my account number.”
Watch how fast they respond.
Silence means no money — whether face-to-face or on Facebook.

Watch their purchase pattern.
A regular customer who suddenly disappears or an online follower who stops ordering — something has changed in their pocket.
Track the patterns.

The formula works everywhere:
Past behavior + Present questions + Response speed = Real purchasing power.

Whether it’s Instagram or in-store, WhatsApp or warehouse, the signs are the same.
Real buyers move differently from window shoppers.

Stop chasing people who can’t pay.
Focus on the right ones — online or offline — and watch your business grow.

Time is money. Don’t spend yours on people who don’t have theirs.


—Jbm Sopuruchukwu 
Advertising Copywriter, multiplying Nigerian business revenue.

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