A dealer’s double dilemma. It is June 30. A single-day, outdoor New Hampshire show in what has been a summer of most difficult weather.

A steamy morning; you can fry eggs on the sideboard. The gate opens at 9:30, and the wave of buyers sweeps up the aisles of 150 booths. As any dealer knows, the first hour’s energy is critical.

A woman enters my booth, eyes a small, costly piece of early Maine furniture in original, vivid paint, and examines it carefully upside, backside, inside, and out.

"I’ll take it; here’s my card," said the Maine dealer. "I have to run. I’ll be back."

I know the need to run. A buyer doesn’t want to miss an opportunity in the next booth. I place a sold tag prominently on the piece and tend to other customers.

The woman returns before noon after the show’s energy has ebbed. She begins reexamining the piece. Long pause, interrupted by sighs. The following conversation ensues:

"Gee, I thought the paint was redder. I wish it were taller. You’re going to hate me, but I’m not going to take it."

"Madam, you told me you were buying the piece."

"I know. I changed my mind."

"Madam, this is a one-day show. You’re a dealer. You know we only have a limited chance to sell. That is a terrible thing to do."

"Well, people have done it to me."

"That is not the point."

"Well, I’m not buying it."

"Then I have to ask you never to come into my booth at any show ever again."

"Do you know who I am?"

"I don’t care who you are, madam. Don’t ever come into my booth again."

"Well, you have gall!"

"Madam, leave my booth now, please."

"You are not being professional!"

"Madam, I do not have to be professional with someone who has no integrity."

She leaves. And so, the first dilemma: is there a way to avoid such experience? Demand full, immediate payment, risking her stopping the check if she changes her mind? Demand a cash deposit? Her first-born held hostage until the check clears?

I was prepared to suffer the loss as tuition in experience college until dilemma two became apparent: she did the exact same thing to two other dealers that morning. This now was not an isolated incident but serial sleaze. Without the honor of a person’s word, there is no antiques business.

Rather than simply seethe at an unfortunate, selfish, likely pathological woman, I’d rather work toward positive action. How do other dealers handle this situation? I’d like to hear from the good folk in this business to whom the word "integrity" still has meaning.