I agree - a lot of sellers pics leave a lot to be desired. If I buy anything second-hand on Ebay I always check out the feedback for similar items the seller has sold. After all that, if I feel I have been sold a pup, I complain - first to the seller and then to Ebay.
BTW, I very rarely buy anything where the seller states "...I know nothing about these items..."
There are undoubtably bargains to be had on Ebay, but you rarely get something for nothing in this life. If you pay a fair price from a well-respected with seller with good feedback then at least you stand a much-better-than-average chance of being satisfied.
In respect of strops, they are like any other leather items - old leather is generally past it - only good for display, rarely for use. If put away badly folded, they generally never recover. Who knows what has been rubbed into them? Hanging in a steamy bathroom for decades hardly helps. They were used hard on a daily basis with a very sharp implement being dragged across them - it's miraculous that any vintage strops have survived in a pristine condition!
Regards,
Neil