JaBek1 - the laws are slightly different for auctions in the real world, a phone bidder in that situation may have a proxy examine the goods, if there is a problem it will be between the proxy and the buyer, not the auction house.
We have new online selling laws, those with businesses on Greedbay or eBid have to abide by them as if they were selling on an online shop. It makes no difference whether the item was bid for of bought outright.