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Yes but, what is the value added by the people they want to get involved? Why is too early to invest? Just because there are not already a zillion of users and they are not able to evaluate? Why later it could be interesting?

Basically there is just boilerplate to say "no thanks" but no real information. Just a general feeling that they are not able to really evaluate.

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Email is prone to misunderstanding so you have to be verbose. If I would have gotten a "no thanks" that would have left me guessing "Why?". Possible reasons which are ruled out by this message: 1) I don't trust YC anymore; 2) The guy you referred to me was a jerk; 3) I'm out of the VC business; etc.

I don't know the guy, but... consider the power dynamic. PG sends him a sales pitch and the guy pushes back. What's he supposed to do, fall all over himself and say "where do I sign"?

No, he says, "yeah, maybe".

Wouldn't you do the same if someone came to your door looking to sell you something?

> Wouldn't you do the same if someone came to your door looking to sell you something?

My usual reaction is "what else d'ya got?"--until they run out of "else"s.

This way, the situation is reframed as them not having anything I like, rather than me not being willing to accept what they have--and it's then much easier to just politely end the conversation.

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