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

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 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. 

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.

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

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.

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

@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.

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?

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

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?

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

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

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. 

Have another person present, and let him in.

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.

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.

@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.

 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..