At least in the UK and France, localbitcoins.com let's sellers/buyers use alternatives to meeting with cash, for example direct bank transfer, or some apps we have (like Barclays PingIt in the UK) - the coins go into the site's escrow and the seller releases them once money comes in - which is usually instantly, unlike in America I guess. Not sure how prices or UI compares to other options, but certainly no shadiness if using it that way.