WARNING !!!! on purchases.

I bought something from a member over 3 weeks ago and have yet to recieve it. I emd him last week a friendly reminder and he was honest and said sorry about that forgot understandable sometimes. Then I get a email yesterday saying he was broke and was it ok that he waited till the 18th to ship. I was sorta torn between being an a dick about it or be nice. So I split the difference. I said that was fine if thats what he needed to to but what happend to the money I sent along with to ship said Item? There are resonable delays and Im not pushy about it. But it just struck me funny that I paid shipping for the item but yet he dont have the money to ship it???