There's nothing odd (either a bit odd or a lot odd or anything in between) about me being momentarily devastated. My momentary devastation was based on having my hopes raised by making it to the final screen. My initial expectation of not seriously being able to succeed dwindled the further along I got in the process. So played no role in how I felt at the end. And thus, became irrelevant and not odd at all.

I also mentioned in my initial post that "I know the way it tends to work". What this means of course, is that I am aware that other sellers and sites also operate this way. In that, the buyer doesn't have a piece purchased, although it has been carted, until the final confirmation screen has been reached. This is of course common knowledge. The reason I mention it is because I simply wanted to make it clear that I'm not trying to hold graffiti prints to a higher or different standard above the 'lowest common denominator' standard adhered to by many other sellers. Also I mention it partially to avoid any confused false accusations of ignorance on this point. What this doesn't mean is that I feel it unjustifiable to feel disappointed given the circumstances of rising probability (perceived or actual) with each incrementally successive stage on the way to confirmation. Or for that matter, to relinquish hope that GP might up their game in the future.

As to your question. I'm not blaming GP for me "not being fast enough" as you presume. Which would make no sense. I'm expressing dissatisfaction and disappointment with the process which allows buyers to reach a final stage and then effectively have the item stripped from their cart.

I'm open minded and am happy to receive constructive criticism from anyone, if they honestly have any to share.

what you think should be vs. what is... Which one ends up with you having a print? If you're prepared for what to expect you can act accordingly. Something in demand selling out right away when you try to buy it online is a popular culture trope at this point. A lot of complaining stems from naivete. Wax on, wax off.

Have not checked GP in ages but let me take big leap and say Martin Whatsons, Sniks etc...

Starting to (at least from this thread), the weekly 'archive sales' 1xRun used to do. Oh well, your business but probably not the way to be a respected one. my .02.

It's not enough for most to have the choice to buy or not buy. They want the option to buy and to buy for below aftermarket prices. It's obvious many are salty at the prices at or a little above aftermarket. Imagine the vault sales at half the pricing. People would be like :"Oh thank you GP, you're awesome, I was finally able to grab "x" piece for a reasonable price! I couldn't afford eBay prices!"

This thread would be full of that for sure.
And eBay would be filled with pieces just bought from the vault.. the hypocrisy.

... no ... just not selling to blanksky

There are a few whatsons for sale on the forum at the present moment way below eBay / vault / market prices ,if alls correct they should get snapped up.

So is this going to be a GP bubble pop? Or is it every artist under GP? But only their GP prints?

Any artists that has an inkling of a following now creates a bubble by advisors by becoming overproduced , repetitive and overpriced , overstaturates the market , most artists sell out on these type of one day sales but there are huge amounts of works elsewhere at galleries , print houses , eBay that just do not sell , a simple search shows , social media and how items are portrayed creates a tiny snap shot and immense hype . .this new idea of market prices harm most artists careers in this scene long term unless they are advised to cash in as its only short term in this scene .
Katrin fridriks , Sandra chevrier, pez,pejac , kunstrassen example of where prices pushed up quickly to so called market pricing and they just hang around on the secondary market , the galleries / print houses / advisors make their money .

You don't think things have gotten really wild over the last 5 years?  

Take away the flippers that sell 1 week to 3 months after a release most people sell years later then are surprised when they do not achieve the latest galleries listings .
Again many galleries have stock available although sold out on their websites to create desirability ,and generally when prints are £1000 + most of the buyers already have in possession and a a limited market becomes the secondary market.
In the beginning remember most prints were £150-250 hence fuelling the demand and people happy to pay upwards , now releasing at the so called market price will just stop collectors pursuing their favourite artist and only a limited few will be happy to keep paying upwards .
Second round of the nick walker , miccaleff days , a lot of penny stock portfolios out there

Wow, first time I've seen one where Pez Hopescotch isn't on there. They must have actually sold them all now.

Absolutely not his best works.... 

Tiger PP FOR 999 pounds. Basically ivicerates the guy who was trying to sell his regular edition for 3k on here and got pissy because people called him out.

A lot of goodies but a lot of the prices are very high. You could buy a lot of the stuff on eBay for cheaper.

also add that thry ship with UPS so if you’re international you are going to really get dinged in duty and fees afterwards.

never minded GP vault sales as usually there are a couple of prints that are priced somewhat well and a chance to buy variants not previously released. but these prices are through the roof this time on most everything.