RE: Kbacon....was I a sucker?
Money is no excuse when someone was nice enough to lend a bow out, as one can always borrow enough shipping money ($10-12 tops??) to get it back to them quickly. ( and thank them for their generosity!) Neither is pretty much any other lame excuse this side of being on your deathbed in the hospital IMO. Ship things when you say you're going to, and don't screw people over, cause what goes around, comes around.
Yep, if it was me and I went thru all of that I'd already be in the truck and on my way for a "visit", especially if I was already planning to go to Indy later in the week anyway.
There may be a good explanation and we must give benefit of doubt until we know for sure, but from what you stated it does sound like a "string-along" at this point. Good luck.