I have been left holding the proverbial empty sack a number of times due to some characters on the swap boards that contact you and then inform you "CONSIDER IT SOLD". I could post some calls in here, but why bother. Well, I don't know about you, but to me, that means, you just bought it and the funds will be forth coming.
I know I stand behind my word and reputation. I have even bought stuff when I found another item nicer or cheaper than the one I told the seller I wanted, and went ahead with the transaction. I may end up keeping that item or selling it later. Sometimes a person responds to something for sale without fully considering it, knowing what they are buying, etc. We all make mistakes or act too quickly.
But for me, if you tell me "CONSIDER IT SOLD" as it does in the email I have, I kinda take that to mean, turn away any upcoming potential buyers (which I did) because someone "committed to it".
I had this happen a couple of months ago to me, and there was no loss of funds, I am not hard up for money, there was no asset loss, but just a bunch of crap dealing with these types of individuals way too frequently. Why do you waste peoples time? If you want to flip equipment, get it off Ebay. Most folks on swap boards just want to move a piece of gear out of the shack without all the drama.
What does an adult do when they purchase something for $100 or $1000 from another op and something unknown pops up? You contact the Seller and as adults, you work it out within a reasonable amount of time after receipt. People should read the postings. If something is posted AS IS, No Refund, No Return, either accept it or move on. Pretty simple. Why do some folks feel the need for a 30 day back warranty? Sellers on swap boards are not dealerships, and some folks that buy items have no clue how to properly use it, one reason for the AS IS caveat. If I don't feel comfortable with that statement, I just move on to another item. Very very simple.
Be an adult and have some integrity. If you don't know a lot about the item, ask questions up front, don't just tell the Seller, "I Want It". Yeah, I want a lot of things in life too but I am a realist.
If you can't afford the asking price, don't email or contact the Seller. You can't afford it or don't have momma's permission.
If you feel uncomfortable with the transaction, MOVE ON. I turned a chap away that actually offered me a tad more then the guy that "CONSIDER IT SOLD", who in short order, back peddled two days later after I uncabled, gathered everything up ready for the transit or either the item or myself with the item, lost use of it in the mean time and ended up hooking it all back up, and pulling the post and he told me he never made a commitment to me. Really? Certainly not what the email stated. Whatever, won't be doing business either way with this guy in the future and certainly not too worried about it. Sometimes it is a matter of maturity.
Figure out what you want, check your funds, be an adult with decision making or just move along. Simple as that.