[Arran]

Why pay more then you have to? In my area guys regularly try asking $150 to $250 for a console radio, it then of course sits there until the price goes down or they accept a realistic offer. The first rule of antique radios is to never pay what they ask, when someone is asking a high price more often then not you can get them to take substantially less, especially with knobs missing. Maybe old radios are harder to find in your area compared to some, well so are old radio parts.
The reality is that although the cabinet is less common then the lowboy versions it still isn't anything special, it's a typical late 20s early 30s four legged console. Now if you had found one in the Tudor style cabinet, which looks like it's much rarer, then it may be worth paying more of a premium.
You bring up transportation costs, fair enough, what about the restoration costs? If a set worth $100 (as is) but you pay $175, and then needs $40 worth of knobs, another $40 worth of tubes, and another $30 worth of caps, resistors, wiring, but is worth maybe $200-225 restored it isn't a bargain even if you save on shipping. Why get snarky? I was only trying to do you a favor here. The seller is asking to much, period, why run to his defense? You asked for an opinion, you can take or
leave it as you will.
Regards
Arran