seller etiquette

@mitch2 when I commit to driving 4 hours for an item, and making time for it in my schedule, I think it’s normal to expect that I am turned down for a reason. A DECENT REASON. Selling it to someone else  for the same price is not fair, when my inquiry started 4 days earlier, I committed to buy it 3 days earlier. Everything in remote communications and deals in based on trust and fairness. That’s why there is a rating system of buyers and sellers.

You are siting contract law - which has zero applicability here. Nobody writes contracts in person to person few 100 bucks audio sales. My question was: is this fair? It is a question of people treating each other FAIRLY which I know is out of style these days, it’s dog eating dog.

Maybe someone said this already but if you wanted it and didn’t need to hear it why didn’t you just pay for it? Then he’s just holding your item, he knows it’s sold. If you’re driving up and you see it, maybe you say it has a scratch or something and end up not buying it. Then he’s turned down a sale he had in hand as opposed to one in the ‘bush’.

well I think what may not have been clear in your original post is whether the seller actually made an agreement with you that you would pick up the equipment at a certain time and place and exchange the money then. You then later said that you agreed with the seller on a time in place. If the seller agreed with you that you would pick up the equipment at his place at a certain time and receive payment then noI don’t think it’s normal. You may or may not have had a legally binding contract, but if someone makes a deal and then fails to follow through, I don’t blame you for being upset and this is not a seller with whom I would want to do business. On the other hand, if you just said hey, I’ll be there in three days and he made no commitment about those arrangements  I think he had no obligation to wait. I think it gets down to your word is your bond. Or it should be
 

@kerrybh 

I made it clear that:

I promised to pay full price

We agreed on a time and place (4 hours drive for me)

I agreed to buy it without plugging it in

The seller agreed to all this. Never said: "if I have another offer", "you need to pay NOW to make sure I don't entertain other offers", etc.

At that point why was I turned down when someone else made an offer? Why wasn't I asked: can you pay, I am waiting for your response.

For the record: I conduct myself with the priority of treating others the way I hope to be treated. I would NOT screw a buyer I agreed to meet with in such a manner as described above.