At message #8, looks like TML clearly mentions that he already put in a $100 offer, this in response to VM's question whether TML could pick up for VM. That comment suggests to me that TML had a personal interest in this box before VM asks to get the radio picked up. Whether the seller responded to his offer or not is irrelevant. With this knowledge, placing a competing/higher offer against a "friend" who is trying to buy a box is unethical and turns that relationship into an adversarial one. But it happens all the time. On the other hand, when it does, it would be comical in my world to then expect the losing bidder who found/wanted it in the first place to pick up, prepay, and deliver that item to the adversarial winner. Unfortunately, the nature of collecting is adversarial (what do you think happens when members bid on the same item on eBay or when a boomboxery seller says selling to best offer?). Some people naturally lack self assertiveness and easily gets intimidated by individuals possessing a more assertive nature. Each can lead to problems.
I've personally asked folks to buy/pick-up stuff for me. But generally, I always:
1: Inform the friend I was interested in a boombox, and asked if he also was interested because I would back-off if the other party was interested.
2: if the other person indicated he was not interested, I would ask if they could be the middleman but not before....
3. I prepay for the purchase by sending the money to the other person. I wouldn't dream of asking the other person to pull money out of their own pocket to buy something for me.
This has generally worked well for me. That message record is fine but doesn't begin to show what the mindset of each person was at the time they made the comment. This could only add to the confusion of intent between the parties. For example, TML says he couldn't understand why VM would offer $200 and mess up his $100 offer. Though it wasn't spoken, could this have been going on in his head? Absolutely. Again, lack of candid communications.... Anyhow, I think it's clear that each party was thinking different things, and this thread really has no further purpose since the only thing that is clear is lack of clear communication and meeting of the minds. In the publics eye, you will definitely NOT find consensus on who was right or wrong.
My suggestion is that if you guys who are close to each other are at all interested in repairing this relationship, should just chock this up to misunderstanding and get on with your lives. Fighting over boomboxes is so common it's almost laughable. Happens almost all the time on boomboxes that are rare and desirable such as the M90. And truth be told, if the sale resulted in $600 (or close to actual market value) traded hands, we wouldn't even be here discussing it. It's only because it sold for what is perceived to be BELOW market value that it's an issue. (It's all about money). There was another example offered just here, not 1 week ago. At market value, nobody jumps but at a deal price, fight like hungry dogs over a bone
Save some for us Americans too 
