Could be legit, but I always get more skeptical when there's a boo-hoo story in the mix. Scammers and con artists love to play the boo-hoo story. (and if he's not legit, and is simply trying to sell you some of his crap, then he's a con arist in my book simply because of the lie)
There's a lady in a town near here that routinely asks on freecycle for vintage jewelry. I forget her exact story, but it's something like 'needing a gift' or some such thing. Anyway, what she really does is sell it in her shop. Uses a story to get people to giver her inventory. Again, a con artist in my book. (but not a real good one cause I dont even know her and I spotted the con right away, and later verified it with another ebayer that goes to that township fairly often and knew her shop)