I invented the blue dot reserve for collectors who saw a painting at the show preview that they wanted to purchase.  So if you see something online but want to come see it in person first or bring a spouse or friend to see the piece before purchasing just contact me a let me know and I will put a blue dot on the piece and give you right of first refusal.   Blue dots were applied on a first come first serve basis.  Once the show starts or if someone else wanted to buy the piece the blue dot collector had the right to purchase the piece or the blue dot was removed and the next purchaser was free to purchase.  Modifying this for the present age of previews online, this would mean I will call you or text you to notify you that someone else would like to buy it if you haven't made a decision yet.  This eliminates a lot of acrimony when collectors are vying for the first dibs on paintings.My first experience with this phenomenon was at the Greenwich Workshop Galleries shows during a “Of Ships and the Sea” exhibit when Graham Stiles who was the director at the time.   He had a number of collectors come in for an early preview for work and those collectors would be able to buy paintings during the preview.   While that’s great for the artist and the gallery it isn’t particularly fair to novice collectors who would be furious when at the opening they saw red dots.  So the blue dot eliminates this problem and everybody relaxes a little.   All is more fair and open and anyone can put their blue dot on a piece to hold it while they bring their spouse, aunt and uncle and whomever and that way they know they’re sure of their purchase.   Also, they are given right of first refusal but if they don't purchase new collectors still have an option to buy.  A collector did have to buy it within the first 15 minutes of the show with a preview blue dot.  Collectors could also use the blue dots during the show openings and they would be able to browse the whole show and then come back and buy the piece.  If someone else was interested in the interim and I called out and say who’s blue dot is this and then if they were not there they lose out but they’ve been given a fair shot and most the time it works out really well for everybody.   Everyone gets what they need and they want and then the next round those collectors that didn’t come to the preview and put a blue dot on a piece are aware that they can do it and so then they do.