Local pickup for speakers - should I let the buyer in the house or use the the garage?

@devinplombier -- Sorry about your child.  I hope they are ok.  As for pulling in my situation, I was smart enough to know the odds, and 3 vs 1 was not in my favor -- especially with the angles I faced (back to a car and 1 on each side and tbe third in front of me).  My cooler head prevailed and ended up winning.

I referenced my encounter because that was out in the open in a parking lot.  If people trying to get into gangs will do that, pulling a piece on you inside your house or garage is a cakewalk.  Unfortunately, if criminals are not going to face the punishment they deserve or be given No Bonds after arrest, one must be very cautious when selling expensive gear out of their house.  Today’s criminals can easily determine if you are selling an amp that retailed for $20,000 or more, chances are you have other valuable items in your home.

Best wishes for your kid, and safe selling.

@larsman Between Two Friends why would one not accept cash.

Same as Friends will happily chink their glasses to the Toast Cheers to the point that the force is creating both drinks mix into each glass.

Trust is the Biggy, the individual (Buyer or Seller) when doing 'face to face' with unknown individuals,  has to shape their encounter to the point they have looked after their interest and welfare. 

If 'pindac' contacted about a sale item, there is an element of trust, simply due to the idea the name is quite familiar. If 'no forum history' or 'feedback history; contacted, the difference in trust between 'pindac' even though not known and the alternative 'no forum history' is vast and will be unsettling for quite a few individuals who have concern for their welfare.

Non Friends for the Seller - No Cash Reduces Risk - No Bogus Bills slipped into a Wad of Money!!! 

Non Friends for the Buyer - No Cash reduces Risk of Getting Robbed !!!

Non Friends for both Seller and Buyer - Bank Transfers are Instant - Monies are showing in accounts in seconds - A Transfer is as fast as counting the monies and feeling notes for texture and print fade.

Non Friends - Asks Females how Vigilant they are when in a Public Place where Drinks are part of the culture.

Individuals with an interest in self gain, have been spiking drinks with fatal potions and inebriant accelerants for Centuries.  

@allenf1963 Thank you. 

At the end of the day, I don't disagree with you. Arguably, the vast majority of the population are decent folks who don't present any risk to me, so I treat everyone accordingly, while looking for signs in the background telling me that maybe a particular person is the exception to the rule and I should be concerned.

Besides... audiophiles are routinely taken in for thousands of dollars, though not by gunmen.

The OP should clearly not be selling speakers for local pickup.  Full stop.

If I were the buyer and arrived at your home being treated like a potential criminal, I'd walk.  

The guy spoke to you on the phone and is paying cash.  And you avoid the risk of shipping the speakers.  He's doing you multiple favors.  

The comments around guns and phones on standby with the 9 and the 1 already dialed are just killing me.