Common Courteousy PLEASE!!!!!

[Wintersmith]

This has been interesting to read, as I am trying to get a handle on Bartertown etiquette. I do have one example where I am unclear on the language of "making a deal":

In this example, I am offering $100 worth of models.

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Trader A: Do you still have the models you've offered? I am interested in a couple of them.

Me: Yes, I do. The couple you are interested in are $45

Trader A: What would it cost to ship to my zip code?

Me: $5 to ship. The total would be $50.

Trader C: Hey, I would like to buy the whole lot of models you posted. What would it cost to ship to my zip code?

Me: $15. The total for the whole lot is $115.

Trader C: Great! I'd love to pick them up at that price. Do you take paypal?

Me: I do take paypal. Please send to my email address. So, I take it that we have a deal?

Trader C: We do have a deal.

Trader A: Ok, I like that price. Ship them to my address.

Me: I'm sorry, I made a deal with a different trader.

Trader A: What's the matter with you? We had a deal.

Ok, so Trader A clearly felt that a deal was made. I would not, since I never made the statement that we had a deal. I answered questions about what the price would be, but by simply answering questions I don't feel that I have committed myself to selling to an individual. According to the unwritten Bartertown etiquette, who would be in the right? Did I renege on a deal with Trader A? Or was Trader A making assumptions that he should not have?

[JohnHwangBT]

Ok, so Trader A clearly felt that a deal was made. I would not, since I never made the statement that we had a deal.

While your communiations are somewhat slack, I don't believe you and Trader A had a deal, because you never confirmed. In best trade practice, you should have informed Trader A that you were still looking to sell the entire lot. That way, there's no confusion.