Great question. I do take promises I make very 
seriously, and that includes dibs.

Personally, I have avoided giving dibs on my 
cels. I just don't plan on selling any of them. 
Emergencies can occur, but I have considerable 
backup funds (which I never touch) just for such 
occasions. I do know people I would offer a few 
cels to first if I needed to, but I have 
refrained from making a full committment. I feel 
I would be stringing someone along indefinately 
if I promised dibs. I think that would be unfair, 
but that's just me. 

As far as dibs promised to me, I would be 
thrilled if they were kept. However, I realize 
some people give dibs as a way of politely 
declining an offer and not as a promise of a 
future sale. I guess I would not be particularly 
hurt if someone who gave me dibs sold to someone 
else. 

Anyway, this is a very interesting topic. I have 
enjoyed the responses so far and an looking 
forward to see how more collectors feel about it.