Olds, when I do a deal with someone over the internet, I speak with them and then follow-up in writing. The phone call is to develop a relationship, and the written follow-up is for protection. Rule of thumb is if they dont want to speak there is a reason, and sadly not usually a good one.
Make sure if you do this deal its a postal money order (if he runs with the cash its mail fraud and a federal offense), and there are a few slick tools on the web that will tell you all you need to know about most anyone. You just need to know where to look. Good luck to you on this.
Later.