> I have a friend who has bought a couple of ATVs on eBay.   However he only
> bids on machines that are within driving distance, so he can check them
out
> before actually going through with the payment.  All he really risks is
some
> time and gas money, and the possiblity of bad feedback on eBay.

I've sold a few vehicles on eBay and have offered a variation on this theme.
I clearly state that if the item is not as described in my ad, the seller
does not have to complete the transaction and negative feedback will not be
left.

That being said, the last vehicle I sold, a 1959 Renault 4CV, went to
Louisiana.  Obviously, the buyer wasn't inclined to drive to CA to pick up
the vehicle.  In that case, the buyer asked for copious amounts of further
information as well as additional photographs before bidding.  He did his
homework.

Cheers,

Jeff