I've had similar experience but only buy in person. I do tend to ask a few questions before having to drive hours just to see the game in person, especiliy when picutres are limited, not great or do not show normal wear areas.
What I find when you ask questions you get ignored. It's not like we are buying a few hundred dollar item, the pins I'm asking questions about are thousands of dollars, asking a few questions that take a few minutes to answer shouldn't be an issue for someone willing to drive hours with a lot cash to buy something sight unseen, but that is just my opinion.

But in the end I can see the path of least resistance is applied and if there is a market and buyer willing to not ask questions and put cash on the glass, the seller will prefer that route over someone asking questions. So not until the pin is not moving the seller may be movatited to answer, at least that is the way I'm looking it.