Do buyers ask for a deposit? What's your advice?

Let me preface this by saying I will not be giving out my phone number, email address or account numbers to strangers on Marketplace.

Today I reached out to a seller about two pieces of furniture - really good price. (Maybe TOO good - clue #1?) I said we could come and get them tonight, Tuesday.
Seller: How about Friday?
Me: That's fine, in the evening - we will borrow a friend's truck after work.
Seller: "Also for assurance can you send a half depost to mark them as pending for you until then please
The deposit is refundable incase you have any issues with the set upon pickup" (Weird request and odd wording - clues #2 and #3?)

I have sold and given away a lot of things on FB and never asked for a deposit. How about you guys?
I did a reverse image search of the photos the seller posted and no copies turned up. Same with the seller's profile and cover photos. So it goesn't seem fake that way.
But the seller joined FB this year though, so that makes me really suspicious. (Clue #4?)