In order to have a valid contract, three elements are required.
First, there must be an offer.
Second, there must be an acceptance of that offer.
Third element of a contract is consideration. Usually, consideration is in the form of money, but the law books also define consideration as something of value other than dollars.
To be very frank asking for pictures or being first to reply about something does not meet any of three mentioned above. Posting an offer to buy in the thread may meet one of the three above. The seller had provided an e-mail address to respond to. I don't know if Shane also sent him an e-mail and provided a way for the seller to contact him. I am only posting this to try and be helpful, because internet sales are quite often dog-eat-dog. Always make it easy for the seller to get a hold of you. As a seller (I hate selling stuff over the internet) You always get e-mails from people asking for pictures or more pictures, and once you provide pictures you're lucky to hear back from half of them. As a seller if I get numerous e-mails about something I will look at commitment to buy first.
I have only met two of the above (although I have an agreement with the seller with regards to the third - I still have to accept the fact that until there is a form of consideration the seller is still able to change his mind).
These are universally held principles. Why do some of you feel that they don't apply here?
I'll admit that there is a dilemna for me because I know these guys and consider them friends, but not knowing who had made what arrangements with the seller, I asked if it was still available. The seller obviously didn't feel he had a contract with anybody as of yet. I offered to buy the vehicle at his asking price. The seller accepted my offer, and we discussed an arrangement for consideration.
If I did not know the other parties involved there would be no dilemna for me whatsoever. None!