I'd trust buying from Dean without pics more than I'd trust most folks with lots of them. A Centennial case doesn't need much describing, let alone pictures. Oval tube case, black suede covering, wood endcaps, liner... Dean says it's in good shape, it's in good shape... Thirty three years in the biz gives a guy a little insight, I would think.
I'm the guy he had the one return from and trust me, it was just good business that didn't work out. Dean had some leather computer cases that we both thought might be some kind of gun/sporting cases from his friend's description. He just shipped them to me and said to send them back if they weren't what I expected. I was able to determine they were computer cases, which I didn't need (being on the fossil side of life myself), and I just sent them back. No harm, no foul. Dean was very gracious and we're currently working on another deal.
To be selfish, I like that Dean doesn't do pictures. It gives me just a little time to buy what he's selling while others are playing twenty questions. Even then, I'm usually not fast enough. I regret not buying the Rambow he recently sold, or this Centennial case!
Dean (and I) are just from the era where a guy's word and a handshake were enough for a good deal... I don't know about anyone else, but I've bought some cues on Ebay that really looked good in the pics, and then you found out about that big gouge on the side that wasn't photographed, or found out that the seller's idea of "a straight cue" might have been slightly different than anyone's who actually played pool. This isn't the case with Dean. I'll take my chances with him anytime!
Steve