No doubt that is pretty poor wording on his part. No question should really be out-of-line, especially when asked in a cordial manner like you did. He should also be able to provide more photos. The ones he provided are good, but not really detailed. He's asking a for a pretty hefty price tag here, so he should go out of his way a little. I'm also 99% sure that the frame is SLX and not SL also, which makes me think he might have just thrown a Columbus decal on her.

That answer would probably make me stay away as well...

Don't give up looking for a Basso though, they are great riders IMHO and well priced in the Italian bike lineup...