eBay makes it very easy to get back your listing fees if you have a dead-beat buyer. I've had this happen several times to me, and never any problems. Also, it's important to note that your listing fees are charged to a seller account, so it's not as though you're actually out that money while eBay settles or addresses your claim.. once eBay verifies your Unpaid Item Dispute, they simply credit your account.. so no money has actually exchanged hands.
In the last few months, I've sold two computers on eBay (two MBs), one for $1500 and the other for nearly $1900..both times had terrific and responsive buyers who paid promptly. Have also sold several $200-ish items, and again, no problems..
Oh, and just a tip: it helps to require that any bidders have a PayPal account linked to their eBay account.