You're right not to trust traders on p2p, but that to me only applies to otc or face2face trading. I don't necessarily trust traders there more but if it's online trades only as with localbitcoins, or basically any trade done over bisq, then your purchase is already secured by escrow and in the latter case, multisig wallet. Don't trust the person, trust the platform!
If you're selling BTC, you need to worry about reversed payments with bank transfers, gift cards, etc. because of fraud. That's why people like the OP get crappy rates.
Honestly, I prefer face-to-face cash trading with reputable traders. You cut out the escrow fee and there's no need to trust a third party to hold funds (among other benefits that won't be mentioned here). Cash on the table in a public place has never done me wrong. It's not fool-proof though: you need to have common sense, which a lot of people don't have. With brand new traders who act shady, just walk away.
Very true, but that's precisely why the rates are terrible for those payments that have reversal risks. OP wants better rates, then he's got to find better means. As it is, as the buyer, he's safe as soon as he gets escrow released and he withdraws it.
Never done f2f with LBC, despite some traders I deal with having that option. Even chat with a few of them so probably I'm at a level I'm comfortable enough to trust them like that if the need ever arose. I guess I'm not doing any volumes worth the risk, yet. Maybe when I'm a whale or something!