TTT .. I am aware that ebay favour the buyers in most disputes.
The way I look at it is, if someone goes out of their way to scam me, they are going to do just that. It has happened twice in the past and I just contact them and ask that they don't leave me any bad feedback, refund their money and take it on the chin. I also suggest if the item does arrive .. just keep it.
Having dealt on ebay for as long as it has been about, I can confirm that most buyers are decent people and don't try to scam you. As long as the vast majority are honest, then we will always have a trading platform.
The day that I have to start chasing Couriers companies and the Post Office over scams will be the day I shall give up. If you worry about ebay having access to your account then remove any overdraft facilities in that account and daily remove any funds that are paid into the account.
The one thing that I can now see easily since the change over, is exactly how much ebay extract from every payment received from a buyer. Each transaction is itemised, whereas before you just received a monthy bill for the whole months fees.