In the streets, time is money, and nothing grinds your gears more than a dealer who just can’t stick to their word. If you’ve ever been stuck waiting, phone in hand, hearing the same “I’m on my way” or “I’ll be there in 10 minutes” for hours, you already know how real the frustration is. It’s one of the most common and maddening issues for people relying on street dealers.

The Fake ETA Game

For some reason, a lot of dealers seem to treat time like it’s flexible. They’ll promise you they’re “right around the corner,” but then an hour later, you’re still sitting there waiting. It’s almost like there’s an unwritten rule that dealers have to give fake ETAs to string you along. Whether it’s them being caught up with other clients, handling business, or just not caring about being on time, it leaves you feeling played.

The worst part? By the time they actually show up, you’re either frustrated enough to snap or desperate enough to buy more than you originally planned—maybe even both. It’s a psychological power move, whether intentional or not.

No Respect for Time

For people in the street game, time doesn’t move the same way it does in regular life. Dealers are moving in their own world, juggling clients, avoiding trouble, or just handling their own priorities. But when you’re the one waiting, it’s hard not to take it personally. You’ve got places to be, things to do, and a schedule to keep. Sitting around waiting for someone who shows up whenever they feel like it can mess up your whole day or night.

What’s worse is that street dealing thrives on urgency. If you’re hitting up your plug, it’s probably because you need the product ASAP. But when they don’t respect your time, it feels like they’re making your needs less important than whatever else is going on in their world.

Communication Breakdown

The endless cycle of texting and calling can feel like a joke in itself. You hit them up, they say they’re coming, and when they don’t, you call or text again. And again. You know the drill. It can feel like a game of cat and mouse, where the dealer always holds the upper hand.

By the time they respond, it’s either another vague promise or a flat-out ghosting. They might leave you hanging for hours, only to act like nothing’s wrong when they finally show up. The lack of communication is enough to drive anyone crazy, especially if you’re in a rush or dealing with other pressures.

The Power Dynamic

Part of the reason this frustration exists is the imbalance of power. When it comes to street deals, the dealer holds all the cards. They’ve got the product, and you need it. That means you’re often left at their mercy when it comes to when and where they’ll meet you. This power dynamic is one of the reasons why dealers feel like they can move on their own time without consequences.

If you get too pushy, you risk getting cut off. If you stay too quiet, you’re left waiting and wondering when or if they’ll actually come through. It’s a delicate balance, but one that rarely tips in favor of the buyer.

Why Dealers Do It

From the dealer’s perspective, there’s usually a lot going on behind the scenes that clients don’t see. They might be juggling a lot of customers, managing heat from law enforcement, or just moving cautiously to avoid getting caught up. While these reasons make sense, it doesn’t change the fact that for the buyer, the wait feels like disrespect.

Some dealers also see this as part of the hustle, making you wait so they can maintain a level of control. It’s a power move that keeps you dependent and desperate enough to keep coming back, even if it means you’re losing patience.

How to Cope

If you’re stuck in the cycle of dealing with late or unreliable dealers, the frustration can build up fast. The best thing you can do is set boundaries for yourself. If a dealer is consistently unreliable, it might be time to find someone new. You also have the option of letting them know that their lack of punctuality is messing with your plans—just be careful not to be too confrontational, as that can have negative consequences in the street game.

In the end, it comes down to patience and knowing when to move on. Street dealing comes with its own set of challenges, and unreliable timing is one of the biggest. But if you learn to navigate the process with some caution and realistic expectations, you’ll save yourself a lot of stress in the long run.

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Street dealing is frustrating for buyers because of the constant waiting and lack of reliability. You’ve got to navigate the hustle with a calm mind and patience, even though it feels like you’re being played sometimes. Keeping your cool and setting limits will help you survive the grind, but in the end, you’ve got to accept the chaos of the streets—or move on to something more secure.