On any escrow based exchange like localbitcoins, it is better to trade online rather F2F. People will get to accustomed to this fact with time.
I respectfully disagree.
For you and I, online exchanges are a great idea. That's because we know what the scammer signs are.
To the complete newbie, in person is the ONLY smart way. I can't count how many Bitcoin newcomers have told me, "I tried to buy on this or that site and never received my Bitcoin."
In person + cash = 90% guaranteed to receive your coin.
In person + cash + dealing with me = 100% guaranteed to receive your coin.
I understand what u r saying, but it is because the current system on localbitcoins does not provide enough security to the traders, especially sellers. This is not the problem of escrow based system. This is because of the flaw in localbitcoin's system design. Because, when it was written, Jeremias did not account for much to deal with a scammer. He tried to make it hindrance free. Sadly their are no much alternatives as of yet. Hopefully we will see proper escrow based exchanges in coming days...