> He also was demanding wire transfers or Western Union.

This, alone, is a big flashing alarm sign. If you use PayPal or a credit card, there's some way to track the payment, and to cancel it if you need to.

With wire transfer, however, you're basically sending cash, with all the immediacy and risk involved with cash; once it's gone, it's gone.

Western Union themselves say:

"Western Union does not recommend sending money to anyone you don't know. Only transfer money to someone you know personally or whose identity you can verify!

"If you are purchasing goods or services and paying through the Western Union network, you do so at your own risk. Western Union does not recommend use of its money transfer service when doing business with a stranger and is not responsible for the non-receipt or quality of any goods or services.

"Western Union does not recommend using money transfer services to pay for online auction purchases. For a payment alternative, please visit www.bidpay.com."

In short, never, ever send money via wire transfer to someone on eBay.