Selling to first person to send money

I know posting this is not going to change the outcome but I would just like opinions on this transaction, I had this back and forth email with a seller all day, I asked for his paypal address 3 times to send the money only later to be told he sold it to someone else.

Does it look like I was serious and wanted the snake? Do you think the seller acted appropriately? I just felt like I was pulling teeth to get the info to send the guy money.....

On the sellers website it says:

- I prefer Paypal and will supply you with my user name after all terms have been agreed to.

So I didn't want to just send the paypal payment to the email address he was using.

I removed headers but left the times to make it easy to read, I am in blue, seller in red:

On Thu, Apr 18, 2013 at 8:04 PM, <dropbox@kingsnake.com> wrote:

Hi, If you will include shipping I will take her and can pay immediately.
Shipping is to 17036. Please let me know.
Thanks! - Dave


Sent: Fri, Apr 19, 2013 2:55 am
Subject: Re: Message about: Tri Color Hognose
Hey Dave,
$350 + shipping is firm
-JC

On Apr 19, 2013, at 8:25 AM, Daveszoo wrote:

Ok so what would the shipping cost be? Is this your paypal address?
Thanks, Dave


Sent: Fri, Apr 19, 2013 8:34 am
Subject: Re: Message about: Tri Color Hognose from daveszoo@aol.com
Hey Dave,
Send me your zip code and I will calculate shipping.
-JC

[B](Note - I had sent zip code in first email)[/b]


Sent: Fri, Apr 19, 2013 8:39 am
Subject: Re: Tri Color Hognose

17036


Sent: Fri, Apr 19, 2013 10:34 am
Subject: Re: Tri Color Hognose

Shipping is $45

(Note - my reply is 14 minutes later)

Sent: Fri, Apr 19, 2013 10:48 am
Subject: Re: Tri Color Hognose

ok, will take her, Is this your paypal address?

(Didn’t hear anything all day so sent again >>>>)


Sent: Fri, Apr 19, 2013 3:36 pm
Subject: Re: Tri Color Hognose

Ok, I will take her, Is this your paypal address?
Thanks, Dave


Sent: Fri, Apr 19, 2013 4:04 pm
Subject: Re: Tri Color Hognose

Sorry Dave, you've been beaten to it...there was an overwhelming response to this add. -JC

I then sent him an email asking how this could be since I responded within 14 minutes of getting the total saying I definitely wanted and this was his reply:

Sent: Fri, Apr 19, 2013 4:59 pm
Subject: Re: What? Re: Tri Color Hognose

Sorry Dave,
I used to give first dibs to the first person who emailed me(which you weren't), but with so many people flaking out, I now sell to the first person that sends me money.
It may seem unfair, but I've lost too many potential deals by making people wait for the first to decide if they want a snake or not. That...is unfair to me.
I sent several shipping quotes out from 8 or 9 inquiries. If I didn't get back to you all day it's because I have a day job...I breed as a hobby.
Your timeline, though specific to you does not reflect my reality.
Again, sorry you missed out.
-JC

He says he sells to first person that sends money -and I understand that policy - Well I thought that's what I have been trying to do all day if he would have just told me where to send it to!

Oh well like I said just frustrated.....

sounds like you tried but maybe someone offered him an extra $25.00 or $50.00? Happens, he was responsive up until the last post for his paypal .
I'd be put off by the way that was handled too, you were trying to pay him quickly, so it seems. Ive had the same thing happen where later the seller said sorry the other guy wanted it so bad he included 'XXXX' in addition to the monies I asked for, I couldnt refuse. All part of the game, fair or not, stinks, you seemed first but c'est la vie.... :/
better luck next time man.

Thanks for the input, hadn't considered that but definitely seems like that could have been the case! As you said c'est la vie was just really ticked off at the time!