In the hypothetical dishwasher example, what is the buyer's incentive to lock up funds before even physically inspecting the item? What is my recourse if a spiteful seller refuses to agree to releasing my funds if I decide not to go through with the purchase?

I'm not being facetious. I'm trying to understand why one would need to use an escrow service for something like this.

Buyer and seller enter a smart contract where the buyer's funds are locked for two days, then freely recoverable by the buyer only after the contract expires. That proves to the seller that the funds exist at no risk to the buyer.

A day before the contract expires, buyer and seller meet up to inspect the goods. Upon inspection, seller hands over the goods and buyer validates the release order in front of him before departing, thus completing the contract before its expiration.

Infinitesimal cost, infinitesimal risk.

The funds are essentially escrowed: no individual party can recoup them unless both agree to move them.