John, I didn't pay much for mine, an Acorn/Altlas shaper on manufactures cast iron stand. It was local and just £60 so I bought it rather than left it for the scrappie which was on the cards.
TBH, It's not really had much real use yet, it might never with me having a mill. But it can do things a mill can't, like cut internal keyways.
But it sure if fascinating to use. I see the one you are looking at doesn't have a front support for the block. This might have a bearing on things as the block (table) may be pushed down under the power stroke?
What about speeds, looks like it only has the one, you really need slow not fast so it may be ok.
Others hopefully will comment more as I don't really have enough mile on the clock to really help.
Be aware, Hand shapers can fetch much more than their worth, esp on Ebay...!!
One thing I will say, my shaper leaves a better finish than my mill and is easier to use for larger flat surfaces. It even cuts hard steels well where my mill won't touch it without destroying the cutter. But like I say, I'm really new to all this and a lot could be due to my inexperience with milling.
Have a look here
http://madmodder.net/index.php?topic=503.0and here
http://madmodder.net/index.php?topic=533.0