When buying from abroad, one sometimes realizes that standards are different in other places. In the U.S., with the vast distances, we are used to buying stuff we haven't really seen in person. Even before the internet, if we traveled 500 miles to see a used bike or car, we expected a good and accurate description before we made the trip.
I found this to be different in Germany (my original home country) and France. I bought a few old model cars on e-bay Germany, and in many cases, the photo showed the side without the scratch or missing piece. The description almost always says "as is" or "see photo." Obviously, there are exceptions on both sides of the Atlantic - crummy sellers in the U.S. and people giving very accurate descriptions in Europe. On e-bay, the feedback ratings usually give you a good idea - especially if they are from U.S. buyers.
Another example: I bought a bike in France and the guy described it as very good condition, with minor surface rust on the chrome. That was indeed so, but he forgot to mention the removed brake braze-on on the rear... The job was cleanly done, so the seller (original owner) may have forgotten about it. The bike was a sweet bike nonetheless, the price was adjusted, and the deal done. But I am glad I didn't buy sight unseen.
I don't think any of these people are evil - there simply are cultural differences from country to country. As a translator, I deal with those on a daily basis, and they are either interesting, amusing or frustrating, depending on MY state of mind.
Jan Heine, Seattle