Looking at this carefully, I can see that from a business point of view, Metroplis are of course making all the right decisions. Why ?
(1) They know that Ian desperately needs this book
(2) They know that it is very unlikely that anyone else (that is, collectors who own the remaining 6 copies) would want to sell it
(3) They know that the amount of future business that they will do with Ian is rather limited - after all he only has 30-odd left to complete his DC collection
Thus the correct course of action is to buy the book, say to Ian that he has another seller interested (whether true or not), then SIT on it. Tell Ian he might sell it to him. Make Ian sweat it out. Occasionally have some 'friendly' discussion with Ian about a possible price.
After about a couple of months of this, Metroplis will sell Ian the book for some outrageous price, maximising $$$ from a business point of view.
And the seller that Ian 'allegedly' brow-beated ? Is he at blame in all of this? Not really. He obviously was aware of the Ian-Metropolis situation, and worked out that he could get more by selling to Metroplis rather than to Ian directly because he knows that Metropolis will sting Ian for a much bigger amount. Again a purely business arrangement.
Now whether Metroplis will get a warm feeling about this - of course. That's all part of the game. Most definitely Metroplis wanted Ian to say his peice on the boards so that they could respond so convincingly. Business is business - but getting fun out of it makes it all the more sweeter.
Ian - you will get that book - but only at the price and time of Metroplis's choosing. Just put it down to experience.
