[stomachmonkey]

Find out where the car is and then post location.

Pretty good odds you'll find local Pelicans willing to do a quick inspection (not full PPI) to give you a better idea of the cars true condition.

Even a pig can look good in pictures.

Better to get a 1st hand evalution.

And no way would I put down a non refundable sight unseen.

I think sellers throw that in there to weed out the daydreamers who kill their auctions with crap bids.

See if you can engage the guy in an email thread where he agrees to refund if you take the trouble to pay for a PPI and encure the expense of travelling to see the car.