Seller Would Not Sell Because I had Zero Feedback. Why?

Makes sense.  The seller has a 100% positive feedback on USAM.  So, I don't think it was "scammy," but, given @wokeuptobose's experience, you never know.  

@parkergetdean's suggestion to travel actulaly would've made financial sense given the paypal fees relative to the price of a plane and assuming I could pay for a hotel with credit card points.  

Alternatively, given my feedback and the seller's concern, seems like an Escrow approach combined, perhaps, with a deposit would make the seller feel more secure, correct? 

Escrow does not work well in our kind of transactions.  An escrow  business will open the box think yeah, that’s a brand ____  something, send it along. 

Who knows if it works?   It takes someone with hIgh-end experience to judge whether gear is working properly, is the correct item, and what condition it is in. 

You just have to pass on or be passed on for some deals.  It’s just the way selling online goes.  Again, don’t take it personally.

@patrickalston it's not a given that travelling makes sense, I certainly would not travel to e.g., Florida for anything. But if it's a desirable location, I would try to figure it out, you can travel anywhere off season for under $500. Not so much for the payment issue but to check out the item in person. The issue for me is that I could get something in impeccable shape or with questionable aesthetics and functionality. I feel I would need to see it in person. 17K is astronomical to me. 

I bought approx. a dozen items on Audiomart with Paypal F&F and it was always a very pleasent experience.  So much so, that if they have a handful or more of positive feedback, I relax my suspicions. 

I was just in the middle of my largest transaction to date - a $4K buying transaction on Audiomart.  I was emailing back and forth with the seller, and I gave him my mobile phone to call me the next day for some technical questions.  He said he would, but, also pushed to get the deal done before the call.  I woke up the next day with an email from Audiomart that the ad was banned and the user was banned.  He had plenty of good feedback, and his phone number was in the ad.  I am shocked because I had zero suspicions, and almost sent the money without a phone call. 

Have purchased several pieces at discount using PayPal F&F. Reputable U.S. dealer and no trouble so far. But over $5k I would travel.