Call me contrary .. but I'm not seeing anything that looks like a scam to me yet.
Scammers don't usually call on the phone because it can be tracked back to them.
And as for needing a quote in writing? I would too! I want something written down
somewhere that says what I'll be paying.. especially if I'm just in a position to order
on behalf of someone else and need to be able to get reimbursed.. I wouldn't expect
anyone to pay me back based on a verbal .. and don't think anyone else would either.
99.9% of my orders are from 'across the country' and while Paypal has been fine for
the most part, I can see your hesitation on a larger order because Paypal freezes
funds first in a dispute, then takes their time sorting everything out. And they tend
to side with buyers, rather than follow the logic and paper trail.
But a certified check from a bank local to him should be OK.. you can call the bank
in question and confirm funds. The way banks work now, they don't even wait for
the physical check (or even keep/return them!) they just process it electronically.