Agree with Thrush on sending the ebayer home to put a high bid on. Thats what I have done with stuff and I always state that I can end the auction early at my discretion.

Dumbest thing though is going for a Bhuna when an auction is ending, especially when someone has said they will take it!

Definately go with the cheque buyer as potentially you could end up with nothing if the ebayer is a joker. Whatever excuse you give the ebayer it will look like it didnt reach the price you wanted though.