Is your "word" something to trust?

[Jeff H]

That stinks! On the 1st JL8 car I had, I gave my word to a potential buyer who was flying in from the west coast. I had another buyer ask me if I took a deposit and I told him no, but I wouldn't let anyone else look at until the first guy had his chance. This buyer was ready to wire a deposit and I told him no. The west coast buyer ended up buying the car. I've held several cars for people with a small deposit or no deposit at all because I'm a man of my word. I've lost out on a couple of cars because the seller wouldn't let me look at it until the next day, but they told me I had first shot at it. Then somebody else came along early in the day and bought it out from under me. If you gave a deposit, then there might be some legal argument that he owes you that car at the agreed price. If he sold it, then he should find another one for him at the same price. Does anyone with a legal background know if this situation has any kind of potential reward to it or is it a waste of time and money? Always curious to hear other thoughts.