Buyer backed out of a deal after private and public commitment. There was a severe lack of communication and multiple empty commitments. An example showing that someone’s word isn’t always their bond.

A deal was agreed upon on July 25, 2019 for three rifles. On January 5, 2020, the member backed out of the sale.

Through the near six months of our pending deal:

- I stated I would take one rifle at the asking price, which was accepted by the member. I then sent another follow up after a few days with an offer to buy three rifles, which was also accepted. I then publicly acknowledge in the for sale thread that I would be taking each of the three rifles that were posted for sale.

- A significant lack of communication ensued, with weeks or even months between responses. I provide PM, email, and direct phone number contact methods in order to finalize our deal. Seller continued to pull me along commenting multiple times to what the next steps would be, via both PM and email.

- Empty commitments to provide additional pictures (even though I eventually stated I no longer wanted them and just wanted to finalize the deal).

- Empty commitments on multiple occasions to follow up on our conversation and to payment method preferences / next steps.

- An FFL was provided for shipping purposes and to hopefully expedite the process, which, because of the lack of communication and backing out of our deal, has resulted in issues outside of this deal and use of that FFL.

- Member followed up in January 2020 stating he was no longer willing to sell the rifles due to the condition of the rifles changing from the original agreement. I acknowledged that I still wanted to finalize our deal. It resulted in the member not responding and deleting the original sale thread.

I understand the member was going through some life situations over the period; however, he was active on SH and even pursuing his own deals on the side.

Unfortunately, this is an example of a person not abiding by their own word.