You have to take into part that he is not a shop.
You are probable getting the rod cheap.
This is buying over the internet this is the way things are done; you pay, he sends.

You can't expect to get the chance to try it out for some days, if you are not satisfied you could use the appropriate channels thru paypal to get your refund.

There is some risk involved but you get it cheaper and if you use f.ex paypal you will get your refund, but it takes some time.