how do you buy a car?

I bought a numbers matching 68 GTS 383 car , sight unseen in Indiana for $4500 2 yrs ago. Had it shipped here in Md for 600. I did see pics of the car and the PO told me that the frame rails and floors were good. And they are. Car is in my resto shop now and did need some panels replaced due to rust. Did verify that it is numbers, and I can tell that the car had never been disassembled before, Not even the drive train. Now, I knew going in that the car I was buying would require a full resto. So I figured I couldn't get hurt too bad, not seeing it in person. This PO was honest !!