Well, if he has references then that's a BIG help.....otherwise I wouldn't send him a dime first. I'm pretty sure this guy is on Rebelscum.com and also Heman.org ....or at least I think I've seen him post there.
Holding his own auction is just a tad screwy though....if he wants the best offer (which is what he sounds like he's fishing for) then he should just E-bay everything......because most of us buy on E-bay anyways....and I'd feel safer in an E-bay bidding situation on a deal like this....since both parties would be bound to a contract