I would never buy a high priced collectible sight unseen on eBay, I've been to many live auctions where you can see what your bidding on. When gas was cheap I would think nothing of driving 1,400 miles to an interesting auction.
Plus on eBay people don't let the auction run till the end and make side deals off eBay, you can't do this in a live auction.
People who buy high priced items sight unseen on eBay are fools, and a fool and his money are soon parted.