I don't think Ron is a scammer by any means. I think the only thing Ron is guilty of is hanging on entirely way too long to a supplier. I understand he does not want to lose a quality product but the quality product is nothing without quaility service...and this is missing from the supplier and retailer at this point.
Send the man his money back. Tell your supplier you ate the money and get reimburrssed from them. This is not the buyer's problem or fault. Handle it accordingly.