Hi Hotstuff,
Would it be possible for you to get a new credit card with a low limit on it like 100 quid? That way you can only get shafted so far. I don't know if this is possible because the banks seem to want to raise your card limit all the time.
I just noticed that spicesofindia.co.uk advertise the paypal logo so maybe that's an option too.
A final option might be so see if a supplier like the above would accept a cheque via the post.
Personally I can't see you replicating a bassar mix easily without exact quantities to follow.
Cheers,
Paul