Let me throw out a contrary position.
Over the past 20 years or so, about half my acquisitions have been through Gunbroker. I'm buying off of a picture and description.
I've got bad eyes, so a scope is generally a requirement. If there is a scope already mounted on the rifle, then I at least know there is probably a viable D&T job underneath. I generally replace both the scope and the rings, but it's important to know the rifle will hold a scope. A smith who can do a good D&T job is hard to come by in these parts.
Of course, these are not high-end rifles or high-end scopes. I've got a drawer full of see-thru mounts if anyone is interested.
