Seller got back with me. Says I can come check out the pipe in person, but he wont sell it to me unless I win the auction (no one is currently bidding right now). Based on what gwtwdbss said and it already being available previously with no one buying it, hopefully I'll be able to grab it. Kinda sucks if Im standing right there with cash and he wont sell it (given if no one else already has money on it), but I guess he is going to play by ebay's rules, which is fine, I understand.
He mentioned he works on pipes 35hrs a week and does a bunch of freelance. I'll see if I can grab some pics of his collection and pass it along here for those interested.