Buying used, particularly older amps, carries a risk. Ten year old - or thereabouts - should be, generally speaking, okay. So buying something like the aforesaid Arcams would most likely be fine.
However, all that said, in the event you don't like what you hear, then you've got the hassle of reselling, the costs that involves (with Ebay and Paypal, expect to hand over a good 10% of your final sale price in fees, so you will lose out to some degree) and physically shipping it out. If a problem occurs, then you've more hassle. Either that or, worse, you're stuffed.
Yes, in an ideal world, this is probably going to sail through, but given that some Alpha 10s go for well over £250 and that's before the shipping costs are included, you're running a risk. I've bought plenty of stuff on Ebay; most have gone well. Others haven't. The ones that didn't were a pain, but at least they were in the UK.
If it was my money - and I've been close to buying old Sansui amps from the States in the past - I'd make as sure as you can be that you're getting a good deal wherever you buy from and that you can trust the seller and they'll not leave you stuck with a dud if it all goes wrong. With all that done, go ahead.
Though I'd take the time and trouble to seek out a store even if it means an hour or two's drive.
Lastly, please accept my deepest condolences to you and your family for your loss.