This is the other thread where similar things were discussed:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=59545
My posts in that thread are still relevant so I'll link to them directly:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...27&postcount=7
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...9&postcount=23
There's nothing in the rules that says a potential buyer has to post "PM Sent". Many sellers are contacted directly via PM without the buyer posting "PM Sent".
To my mind, the posting of "PM Sent" is not for a 'pecking order' - most people would do it so the seller know to check his or her PM! Sure, some people do it to let other potential buyers know that they got in first, but it certainly doesn't mean you WERE first to contact the seller.
The seller may have also had the item for sale on ebay or another site, and sold it through other means first.
A different potential buyer contacted me last week because they hadn't heard from a seller after a day or two and they had deposited $1500 or something. I simply can't, and won't, get involved in ANY IceTrade transactions. There's thousands of goods bought and sold every year through IceTrade. I can't possible get involved in all of them and I don't want to be involved in any of them.
If I was concerned, I would ask for the sellers phone number before depositing $1500 into a bank account.
Clive's post above is spot on. Do your homework, speak to the person, get their phone number, go and see the item, speak to people who know the person, etc.
It's always going to be buyer beware.
In this instance (this thread) it's not even about someone getting ripped off - it's simply about Chris thinking he missed out on a sale because he felt he was first in line, when in reality, he wasn't.
It's not the first time that has happened and it won't be the last. So a reminder, posting of "PM Sent" does indicate a pecking order. However the seller of course should be honest and truthful and sell to the first legitimately interested buyer.
Cheers