I'v been looking to buy a tractor and found this listing on Craig's list.

This model sells for $23,000. new and used one's go for around $15,000.

I emailed the lister and received this responce:

Hello,
Sorry for taking so long getting back to you.
I already have tons of emails so I hope you understand that
I need to sort them out. My name is Robert D Biggers and I am
glad you are interested in my tractor .
First, I want you to know that I live in USA, but for the moment I'm in
UK.Two months ago my cousin died in a tragic car accident.
My cousin family need money urgently and that's why i sell this tractor so
cheap,because i want to help them.
The tractor is in good condition .It has a title clear which you will
receive along with the tractor .
The buy it now price is $5,000.
I have chosen the eBay Shipping Center program to take care of
all the proceedings, so the tractor is right now in their possession
in a warehouse in San Jose, CA from where it will be shipped by
eBay as I had to go abroad with some important business and
I deposited it there to do this deal in the meantime.
Beside shipping the tractor , eBay will act as the middle man -
holding the payment until you receive and inspect the it.
You will have a week inspection period.
Regarding the payment method i would like to use eBay like a 3rd
part for the deposit because eBay will protect us.I am a seal member
and that's mean I am backed up for all my auctions on eBay.I pay them fees for that!
The tractor is already into eBay possession, they inspected and tested
the tractor to see if the description on eBay matches with the real condition.
Look how they work:
1.I will contact them , and I will send your shipping information to eBay.
2.They will send us mail forms (the forms will be from customer support
team) for you about payment .
3.Those forms must be filled by every part of this deal(me and you)
with infos that they required.
4.We must submit the forms.
This means a 3rd party.
After all that will be done, the tractor will be shipped from eBay,and
will arrive to your place in max. 5 days.
You will receive a tracking # in the same day that the tractor will be
shipped from eBay.
I forgot to tell you that the shipping is free if you pay $5,000 for my tractor .
If you want to go on with this deal , mail me asap because I have another
interested buyer and I need to sell this tractor fast.
Please note that the tractor was listed on Craigslist and not
on eBay! I am just using the eBay protection and shipping
program offered by eBay Shipping Center.
Best Regards!

My first reaction is that there are tons of red flags waving in that email but the eBay angle has me curious.

Do any of you have experience with using eBay as an intermediary?

What do you think of this deal in general?

I should add that I am in Ontario so the shipping charge would be substantial.