well I have never dealed with phone-only people. I just prefer calling over shooting emails. Emails are not instantaneous and time consuming. Good bikes go fast on CL, I want to get to checking the bike in person asap.
Then again I probably have more free time than you so my priority is actually to see the bike first hand. You on the other hand might have better things to do. I just work 9-4, six days a week with no responsibilities at night.