The credit card backing is the perfect answer. I have that option, I sometimes buy a great many items in a month and can split up the payments. I don't like to pay by check because pay pal guarantees your money back if there is a problem. I've only had 2 problems in ten years and pay pal refunded my money both times.
Update: I sent money on the fourth day as promised, I received another nasty E-mail asking me if I was to ignorant to understand English and that he was sending my money back and that I should consider the deal cancelled. I am just going to chalk it up to a lesson learned and now I will scour the sellers ads thoroughly to find any hidden terms on shipping or anything else for that matter. I will also make sure and never bid on anything from this guy again.
I not sticking up for you butt hole seller, he sound like he or she a little off in the head.but he may have had a bunch of buyer that bid or make offer's,and not pay.but once eBay gets there seller fee, it not to easy to get you fee's back that you were charged