That really sucks Dan..sorry to hear that things aren't going smoothly with Mikhail. I would probably act in the same way and refuse to send any sort of money until tracking was provided or upon acceptance of the amp. You should try and get him on the phone if possible and say that you will pay him when the amp arrives so that you aren't out $1000+..i'm not sure how he could expect you to pay everything before you get anything given his track record. What baffles me even more is that he knows that you're not out to scam him out of any money so I don't see why shipping the amp, without the full balanced paid, would be an issue.