Background inspiring the recent poll
I have been on both sides of the scenario. I should preface by saying that, as an auctioneer, there is a really clear legal guideline: once you've said "sold!", the deal is done. You are legally bound to sell the thing for the highest amount that was last bid. Someone could offer you three times that much, and your hands are tied. Saying "sold" legally transfers ownership from the consignor to the bidder. I say this because it explains my bias in the matter and why this issue is so cut and dried.
I once listed a piece for $350 and made a deal with someone and was later offered $800 for it. As much as I wanted that extra dough, I stuck to my ethical guns and stayed with the first buyer. I told that first guy about the offer, though, and told him that if he'd in any way gotten wishy-washy with me, like rescheduling, no-showing or whatever, then I would have jumped on the second deal.
Last night I saw an ad for something that I knew to be a good deal. I wrote, we corresponded and set a time tonight when I would go pick it up. This was a vintage Singer Featherweight for $50 (for those who know about such things). I get an email from her today and she informs me that someone wrote her and offered $100 for it. Then she wrote back and told me that still another person had offered her $125. She asked me if I was interested in matching those offers.
I wrote her and said: " I had been under the impression that we had a deal at $50. If you are reneging on that deal, then I'm not interested in doing business with you. Sorry. Do we still have an appointment this evening? It doesn't sound like it."
I haven't heard back from her, and kind of don't expect to at this point. I have to say that I find this sort of thing fairly shady, to be perfectly honest. I don't particularly like the way real estate around here is basically an illegal auction, and I don't like how easy the anonymity of the internet makes it so easy to not have to look someone in the eye ad still tell them that you're screwing them over. I grew up in a world where your word was your bond. I still take that to heart.