Exactly. I've looked at numerous pinballs over the years. Too many to count. And I only felt somewhat nervous maybe...maybe...once or twice tops. But I also took another legally armed friend with me on those rare occasions to lessen the likelihood of any wrongdoing. And there weren't any problems. If you are going to a decent neighborhood and the house is in reasonably decent shape, you're not getting robbed there. Some back alley or slum - that might be different.

I always take cash, because it is the only method of payment that no normal person turns down. Lots of people don't trust checks from strangers, or some on-line payment method that can be reversed for all kinds of reasons. People think postal money orders are safe but I have had several post offices refuse to cash a postal money order for me because they thought it was a fake. Apparently that's a thing. Modern currency has so many anti-counterfeit features that bad bills are usually pretty easy to spot. I also have a pen that I swipe any questionable bills with.

As far as I'm concerned, if I don't know you, you are paying me with cash, or you are not buying my machine. Simple.

If you're buying a game from a person and you are afraid they might rob you if you carry cash....maybe you shouldn't be dealing with this person in the first place? Just a thought.

The only time someone ever mentions using an escrow service to me is when the traditional Nigerian scammer spams me through Craigslist and tells me my money will be held in some super secret and secure escrow until the transaction is concluded.

If I can't understand it, or it sounds funny, I want no part of it. I have never used an escrow service and don't plan to in the future. I have been paying for things with cash all of my life. I have a LOT of experience with that, from pinballs to the grocery store to the lunch lady in second grade. I understand cash and once someone gives it to me, that's it. Deal is done. Simple. But I won't hate you if you want to do something else more complicated. Just don't ask me to get involved. Life is too short for complicated.