buyers/sellers that DEFAULT on contract

I've had a lot of people change their minds for various reasons after "committing" to a deal, but since they let me know ASAP and seemed to be honest, decent people, I haven't left bad feedback or anything. No funds or equipment had yet changed hands. It's frustrating, because I had marked my ads "sold" and everything, but like someone else said, that's just doing business on the net. People do have second thoughts, the check they were waiting for doesn't come in, the amp they thought they had in hand doesn't come in, and that affects their plan to purchase the preamp I had for sale. Oh well, at least they let me know before any funds were lost. I've never had anyone cheat me on this site, or eBay, and I hope I never will. I think Audiogoners are the best buyers/sellers out there.

Metaphysics, I know EXACTLY what you mean, lately I have had several "confirmed" buyers, who said money order was going to be sent, addresses exchanged, one guy had me waiting at my house for 3 hrs so he could pick up in person the cables I "sold" him, and each changed his mind! Because each had the courtesy to call me and let me know what had happened, I have forgiven and forgotten, without negative feedback or angry retorts. As for myself, I have followed through each time I confirmed a deal w/a seller, whether or not I subsequently wished I could have changed my mind! I will not do that to someone, but others feel it's fair. I'm not sure I would say that it's unethical to back out when you've verbally or in email agreed to purchase, but it is unfair and inconsiderate. Someone with buyer's remorse can always resell on this or other sites. Someone else said, and I agree, that cable sales seem to be "flake magnets." I've had two confirmed buyers call later to say, oops, they are not long enough, or they are too long! Can't you measure before you tell me you want them? Sheeeshhh.
Somewhat Perturbed Sarah