[Tom '74 911]

I came across a decent deal on eBay, but was outbid on the auction. The seller contacts me a few days later saying the buyer backed out and was I still interested? After some discussion (email and phone) we agreed on a price. He offered to re-list the item on eBay w/a buy-it-now (which he did) and then have me pay him through PayPal so we would both be protected (his words). As soon as the auction was posted, I "bought-it-now" and payed through PayPal - basically immediately.

Since then, communication w/him has been difficult at best. He is a few states away from me and I have been trying to arrange w/him to have a friend pick up the item (it's big) for two weeks, but it's been difficult. The latest news is that he is going to deliver it to my friend's but this has been postponed/rescheduled a few times already.

There have been a few red flags along the way, yet every excuse/reschedule could have merit . . . if he's being honest w/me. I hate being a dick. It's not something I'm good at or enjoy. My emails and phone messages to him have been getting increasingly more firm in tone, but I have yet to demand ultimatums or threaten getting my money back.

I've read good and bad stories about the eBay/PayPal resolution process. How do you guys handle situations like this? I like to believe people are generally good and have yet to be scammed like this - have I just been lucky up until now?