I've bought all my gear off E-Bay and had problems with only 1 item, a fusty gadget bag. I think the trick is to only spend what, in theory, you can affoerd to lose. In addition, you have an address for the supplier, so I would have no problems in paying them a visit if it could not be resolved through E-Bay.
My biggest bargain? A Nikon Series E 70-210 zoom with polarising filter for £14 including carriage!! It's absoilutely mint, and reading reviews, some pro's could not tell the difference between it and the legendary 80-200 f4.
Don't discount E-bay as a source, you could be doing yourself a disservice.