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

 NO FEEDBACK on USAM,how about eBay or other places where they have bought or sold?
Absolutely no feedback then I urge caution & stick to the garage,along with other security measures..
 I sell some things on FB & when I have anyone coming to my home I ask them straight out if they are thinking about robbing me & let them know up front they will be on video from the time they reach my front door..I don’t mention the fact that I will also be armed..

@freediver 

do you actually ask them if they're thinking of robbing you? That's crazy! If you asked me that, I'd think that you might be considering robbing me, and I'd run.

I would demo the speakers in the garage using my oldest cheapest amp and sources, just good enough to show that the speakers work.  I don't need to make them sound good, especially given garage acoustics and the mediocre upstream equipment -- not sounding great would be understandable.  Presumably, the buyer has already decided he wants these, so I'm not trying to give a sales demo here, just show that they're not broken.

I’ve always let folks in and been invited in to verify the equipment is working before a deal. If you feel uneasy have a friend over too.

Have another person present, and let him in.

I would talk on the phone. Learn about their interests and background in audio. Any legit will be happy to talk and be concerned about what they are buying. If they are cagey and want to get off the phone... I would not do business with them. 

I'm pretty much alone in this city. I wouldn't be able to get anyone to be here that I know.

If no feedback or no one to vouch for him, arrange ahead of time to meet at nearby public place which has video cameras (gas station, library), take photo of his/their license(s) and text to friend. If he agrees and you're still comfortable,  only then allow him into your garage to check out speakers. If he is unwilling, then too bad for him. You are in charge, not him, so stick to your plan. He's the one getting the bargain.

I never ever purchase from or sell to anyone with no feedbacks. Call me mean, I don't care, I just watch my back.

I guess I am secure in my to abilities to access personal interaction. Sold speakers and a turntable to two different buyers. The sales occurred within the confines of my house. Both transactions were cash. I never bothered to check feedback. But did have telephone conversation with both.
Area of the country where I live?

@roxy54 ,I do it in a sarcastic joking manner but yes I do..

WOW incredible response's they all sound out there. But if it was me, I would have him over to listen to the speakers in your living room and have a couple of friends over and have one person like your wife or another friend in a room with a phone in their hand to call 911 if something go's wrong. If he does not want them, you don't have to bring them back into the living room from the garage and think about this if he is going to rob you, he's going to bring you in the house from the garage and take more of what's in your home. do you have a dog?

@ghdprentice Has the best approach. Size them up on the phone. See what they know about HIFI. On the other hand, they may know HIFI well and are tweakers. In that case they will probably want to check out your whole system at a later date.

On the serous side, if they pass the phone interview, I’d would not worry. Let them in the house. I’d be warm and welcoming. Selling speakers for local pick up reduces number of potential buyers. Even more so if you’re looking for ratings. If you’re spooked about any of this, just have the The Music Room sell it on consignment and be done with it.

By the way what Focal tower speakers are they? If they are Focal Grande Utopias, we all may want to update our comments.

Just shoot a video and post it on YouTube to demo the sound. If he’s interested and decides to take it, move it to the garage for pickup. I’m not letting a stranger into my house — these days, you never know what people might behave.

Now you got me spooked. Back to using the alarm again.

lots of bad actors out there.
Google the potential buyer by name. Check linked in. Check social media.
Ask for a picture of driver’s license with photo and address visible. Do your due diligence  
If you see any red flags and or can’t verify identity or encounter any pushback, don’t engage. 

It would also be helpful to have a friend or a neighbor over at your place during the visit even if everything checks out. 
 

There’s still no guarantee that this person is a serious buyer even if everything checks out. He might just be interested in hearing your system and not buy anything. You’d be wasting your time.

I have never had a person in my home that I regretted inviting in. Generally, the kind of people that buy used high end HiFi are not the high risk type. How many crooks even know what an Audio Research Ref 6 SE even is? 

I NEVER let someone over until I've had a nice long talk on the phone with them- including some topics that help me evaluate their character. You can tell a lot about a person by their word usage, attitude, personal transparency, and knowledge of the item you are selling. If those planets don't align no deal. 

Have the person join Audiogon and post a cable review as a precondition of the sale.

We'll check them out/pick them to peices.

DeKay

I have sold a LOT of audio stuff online. I have always invited buyers into my home and even demo the system with/without the item they are buying. Never had an issue. It seems that most people that are into our hobby are generally good guys.

Now when I sell a weed whacker on FB marketplace, that's a whole different story....

Ozzy... I read you post fast and missed the word "whacker". I went and re-read it for clarification.

"I never ever purchase from or sell to anyone with no feedbacks"

At one point in time no one on here had any feedback for someone else to reference

I’ve had multiple people trave over 1000 miles to listen and to pay cash for speakers and turntables. I had a 150lb tt with all the boxes to ship but I won’t ship tt’s or speakers. When these guys come down, I ask a few of my neighbors to come by so the buyer is greeted by 3 or 4 guys. I’ve had no problems. Btw: our states are gun friendly which is a plus.

I wouldn’t even let them in the garage.

Wow, guns on your person 3-4 male neighbors present all to sell a set of speakers "news" has really done a number on many. Very sad state we are in.

No judgement here I'm simply taken aback by the level of fear many live in day to day, again very sad.I am not naive (I grew up in the Bronx NY) and I can spot fear and mistrust a mile away which in turn makes me nervous so no keep your speakers...

Reminds of this from a couple years ago -  somewhat off topic, somewhat not.  

Man loitering outside of Aldi: Hey man, you got a cig?
Me: Nah man, I don’t smoke.
Man: You need help with them bags?
Me: Thanks but I’ve got them. 
Man: Well, can I rob you for those shoes?

[Joint laughter as I walked off toward my car.]

True story.

@balooo2 +1 

beside who doesn’t want to hear a good story about a stranger coming into your house and doing bad. Trust me, you can take that story well into your aging out. 

@hbarrel + 1 - I've sold 3 or 4 sets of speakers this way and never had any trouble; I also live in a secure apartment house and I don't worry about burglaries, either. 

talk on the phone and ask questions about his/her musical journey, equipment owned, favorite music.  Listen to the answers and the comments.

Listen for obvious signs of BS.

Very high probability that this is fine, but I'd try to find someone to be with you if, for no other reason, you'll be more comfortable in your interactions. I'm maybe a little cynical - was a federal prosecutor for several years-but the really talented bad guys can make you believe they won the Nobel Peace Prize and ended world hunger. I'd have someone with me. 

After you have talked to them on the phone and they seem ok, then look at what they drive up to your house in. if it’s an old beater, they look like they just got out of jail and they are buying thousands of dollars’ worth of gear maybe run,  if they drive up in a decent car/truck, dressed well etc, they are probably ok. I assume you have insurance. 

All of my customers drive a beater car, look like they have just gotten out of jail, and have a broken down meth still in the back seat. You don't need to always take cash, sometimes trade is fine.

Treat the buyer the same way you would want to be treated if you were him.  Remember, he thinks you might rob him.

Sus out the buyer as best you can and then go with your gut.  

Love the wannabe rambos living in the wild west here. what a sad state of affairs.

What a world that we have to wonder about things like this,

I've never had an issue personally. In fact I'm about to thin the herd and will probable have people in the house.