Some vendors will selectively scam people when they see an opportunity to get away with it, large transactions off market are exactly what selective scammers want. They will fulfill on market orders, and small off market orders, building trust, even selling deals at cost price or a loss to increase the appeal, waiting for an order like this so they can make their money.
Its a lucrative business model if done right, off market dealing means they dont get a bad review and can likely keep doing this to other people.
Never deal outside the markets, they do offer protection and keep everyone accountable, it wont be quite as cheap, but its worth it for the peace of mind IMO.
Hope you avoid this kind of trap in the future, all the best!
to add to your point, the first deal we did - he shipped a good amount first and I paid after delivery. After that it was, I only paid first. Second order (this one) looking like a selective scam.
Regardless, if they dont make it right by end of day - I will be blasting them everywhere on dread EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Isn't that obvious ?
You got finessed.
Vendor probably gave you tracking for something else never destined for you to maintain some plausibility.
Worried ?
Shouldn't be as he never sent shit in the first place.
That's why you never deal off markets or without escrow protection.
First they build trust and then they burn.