Good story, gald it worked out for you.
I had something happen to me just like that. Found a SO toolbox for $120.00 on CL, it was in the bad part of town. I was by myself when I stopped by the house that had the SO box. The guy came over to my car window and said the box is in the basement. There were two rather large guy's sitting on the steps outside the house, they were not dressed for the office. The guy said common downstairs to have a look. I then pretended that my phone rang to stall for time. He walked back to the front of the house then I left in a hurry down the road. It just did not feel right, I think I made a wise choice at the time.
That's scary. Could have told his buddy that he had a guy with some cash coming over. Good call.