Guess I'll help answer a few questions.  Keep in 
mind that I'm going to answer on a bias that a 
large volume of orders are taken.

>1)  From the time payment is received, what
>should be the maximum amount of time that passes
>before you mail the cel(s) or at least send a
>courtesy email explaining there will be a delay?

Well I try to get the cels out ASAP.  But 
sometimes due to time constraint it can take up 
to and over a week to get stuff ready and 
shipped.  Of course I process orders in batches 
as its the most effective way than just 1 or 2 at 
a time.  My average batch consists of 30  orders 
that need to be wrapped up, invintoried, etc.

>2)  What do you feel about someone who lists some
>slight defects, but doesn't mention a more major
>defect...doesn't directly lie about it, but
>withholds any information on it?

This kind of depends.  If you contact the seller 
and tell them about it and they offer to refund 
the price, then its likely an honest mistake on 
their part.   That all comes down to how the 
seller "responds" to the situation.  I know I've 
missed a few myself.....scanning 400  cels at a 
time...I just fly through them.

>3)  Does the fact that a person posts here on
>occasion make you more or less tolerant when
>things go awry in transactions

Actions speak louder than words.  :)