It's like this. If you make an offer & it is accepted, you can usually pay either cash on pick up or by paypal, though some sellers aren't rapt if you do it via paypal.
Personally, I think cash makes more sense as if you go to pick up & it isn't as described, you can walk away, you don't have to take it.
The seller might then open an unpaid item claim against you but you just reply to ebay with 'item not as described' and they will usually have your back & remove any strike.
What I am finding unusual in your post is you are saying you have to travel quite a way, so what do you do if the seller 'doesn't turn up'.
Aren't you going to their home?
If I were a seller with a pick up item, I'd expect the buyer to come to me, I wouldn't be travelling far for them.
If you have bought the item and want it, just do the travel if the seller has given you a meeting place/time. It will probably work out.
But if you do bid again in future, always factor in the distance and whether you are prepared to travel far, pay fares etc for the item.
