... reputation in the chipping community is rock solid. Backing out of a single deal, even if there was an otherwise enforceable contract, for the reason involved in this situation, would not, in my opinion, detract from that reputation. On the contrary, as far as I'm concerned.

You're also right about the dispute being worth so little that litigation would be a huge waste of time and effort. I also wonder whether the somewhat hoary concept of "clean hands" might not be borrowed from equity for this case, if there was one. ----- jim o\-S