David,
You've got a valid complaint. And it's a common one when dealing with Aquarium enthusiasts. Not sure why, but it's the most diverse crowd... from ages, to ethnicity, to honest and courtesy. The full gamut.
Let me give you a hint for future reference; Next time there's an item you want, and someone has it... for a good price. Drive the extra miles to go get it. I know as a seller, I hate meeting people half way... or anywhere but at my house (especially if it's livestock!). Call me lazy, but it's just the way it is. If someone asks me to meet them half way between them and I, and I'm paying my own fuel (diesel, which is costly... and in my diesel guzzling vehicle) it gets even harder to help them out. Essentially, that's what your doing. Taking time as a seller, to meet the person (same as the buyer is doing, but a bit more is involved). Which includes catching and bagging the fish. If I had someone show up with money, and say... "I'll take it...." I'd be hard pressed to say no if the items weren't prepaid via paypal or some sort of deposit.
See... I've had people say they wanted something, to wait a day or two... and they ended up buying it close to their home, at the LFS. Here I am holding the item, and could have sold it once or twice... yet, I held it out of good faith. So in the end, I get screwed. Doesn't make me happy whatsoever, and that buyer's info goes on my list to never sell to them again. Same with NO-SHOWS... those who say they'll be there, and never call or update me, go on that same list.
I guess what I'm trying to convey is... The sale isn't in stone, until you've paid for it. A lot can happen, and will happen in the meantime. If your wanting an item bad enough that your changing your schedule to go get it, then seal the deal FIRST with a paypal deposit or full payment (if the seller allows it). It's the only way to guarantee that it won't be sold before you get the chance to nab it. (even though that process has backfired on me once or twice... with other hobbies).
... it's an expensive hobby, and for some reason there's a lot of "miserly" buyers. As well, there's plenty of impatient sellers.
Ars3nal619 - has been trying to get a frag of devil's hand from me since January. Won't make the drive up to Clairemont from ChulaV. However, has PM'd me a few times to remind me, or ask me to bring him a piece on my next visit to my father's in Bonita. I'd do the same if I was in his shoes. But it becomes annoying and stressful to me as a seller, due to my schedule and all I worry about already. I'm sure he's not aware of that... and I don't convey that. But it's not worth the $10 sale to me. It then turns into "helping out a fellow reefer" which I'll do without a hint of asking for anything in return. But now, knowing he sold something that you were lining up the stars to go get... I won't be so hard pressed to deliver a frag to him.
I'm sorry you missed out on the deal. It happens from time to time.
.