Here's a picture of some damage on a frame of a bike I may bid on tomorrow: http://i1.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/ef/49/b96c_1.JPG 

I'm not sure how much damage a downtube can handle, that looks pretty bad...anyone know if that would be definitly ridable/unridable? I asked the seller for a larger image if possible.

If I can get it cheap (since no one has yet to bid on it), then I would just get another frame and switch over the components (as they are new). 

don't go there...  What is the frame material?  Steel - maybe.  Aluminum or carbon fiber.  no, don't.

 I wouldn't buy it, myself.

The link did not work.  What's the Ebay item number?  If it's a quality steel bike then depending on the frame damage a repair is quite possible including removing and replacing entire top tubes, seat tubes, drop outs etc. with no adverse affects.

I've had numerous major repairs done to high end steel frames.

If it aluminum forget it and buy it for parts.  If it's carbon and you want to invest a chunk of cash repairs are possible depending on the damage.  Calfee does amazing carbon repairs and is "the" carbon repair guru in the US.

KRhea

Kevin Rhea:

If it aluminum forget it and buy it for parts. 

Yeah I'm thinking if I can get it for $500 (no one has bid yet, probably because that dent looks so bad), then I would take it regardless of the frame condition. Then I can find a $200 used frame and end up with a pretty sweet bike. 

It looks like the buyer is really ripping you off for shipping costs.