The situation, according to Dan's latest posts, seems to be a little more complicated than we originally thought.
1. Dan offered as asking price.
2. Snoopy et al. bargained it down.
3. Dan counter offer - agreed to by Snooopy.
4. Higher offer tendered by other member.
5. Dan goes back to the table with Snoopy.
6. Mods quit.
7. Mods starting their own forum?
Now, if the mods (as is being speculated) had every intention of starting their OWN forum PRIOR to entering into a transaction with Dan, and were just trying to hammer down a "cheap" price, significantly below this asking.
My question: Were any contracts signed between Dan and the mods re: this sale? Was any money exchanged? Was Dan under any legal obligation to close this sale, or did the mods exercise some pressure to get a 16 year old kid to agree to a "bargain" price.
It's one thing to say that Dan (as one of the mods implied) was not a "man of this word", but one might also see 3 grown men, pressuring a 16 year old kid, knowing full well that they were getting a super deal, and wanting to close before any counter offers came into play.
Now, I'm not accusing anyone here of anything. It just seems that this thing has COMPLETELY blown out of proportion. Surely, some accomodation can be made with the former mods. The righteous indignation is really a bit much, as I don't think that the mods, or any of us have, have had completely "clean hands" throughout our lifetimes.
Lets give the kid a bit of a break. One can argue that the "man of this word" thing can be enforced to ones advantage, when its convenient.
The story just seems to be getting a little more complicated than the black and white version of heroes vs. villain which first surfaced.
The mods, as adults, should have discussed issues of possible compensation prior to engaging in their activities. They surely must have envisioned a day when Dan could have sold these forums. What then? Were any agreements on the table? If not, then they should have been forseen.
Any former mods willing to comment?