I guess I am a cynic as well. I would have given the buyer zero dollars. There is no way that a pp is filed like that for no reason, then goes dark until pp is decided against buyer favor. Then buyer threatens and tries to extortion seller until he gives up half... No I think it's all BS and wouldn't surprise me that buyer is bragging somewhere that he duped some internet seller into donating on his behalf and got a deal on a purchase.
If buyer was being completely honest, he would have posted here. No excuses or bs and explained his version. At least, that's what a guilt-free person would do.