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Topic: are things cheaper if I pay through my bitcoin wallet than using my debit? (Read 2134 times)

hero member
Activity: 588
Merit: 500
Currently only in some cases but this will start to increase more and more as vendors start to get it. If they share their savings with the customer the number of customers will increase and so will the vendors savings.
In my experience vendors will not share their savings with consumers. There are many places that will actually charge higher prices for paying in bitcoin (this is likely because the merchant is paying too much to have their BTC payments processed). I would expect for overstock to be the first major merchant/store to offer some kind of discount in exchange for paying in bitcoin.

Read the topics around here and on Reddit. Companies that get it are starting to appear. Patience is the key.
It isn't just buying things from companies that are getting cheaper when buying with bitcoin. It is buying things from individuals.

I think one thing that has been forgotten by people on this thread is gift cards. You can buy a gift card from gyft for a 3% discount. You can buy gift cards on this forum for, generally around 60-70% of their face value.
legendary
Activity: 2324
Merit: 1125
Newegg.ca giving 30% discount on bitcoin orders over $500.
sr. member
Activity: 476
Merit: 250
Currently only in some cases but this will start to increase more and more as vendors start to get it. If they share their savings with the customer the number of customers will increase and so will the vendors savings.
In my experience vendors will not share their savings with consumers. There are many places that will actually charge higher prices for paying in bitcoin (this is likely because the merchant is paying too much to have their BTC payments processed). I would expect for overstock to be the first major merchant/store to offer some kind of discount in exchange for paying in bitcoin.

Read the topics around here and on Reddit. Companies that get it are starting to appear. Patience is the key.
I agree they are starting to appear, but they are few and farbetween. I would expect for overstock to be the first major company to do this. Their CEO seems to be a very big fan of bitcoin.
full member
Activity: 653
Merit: 217
The answer also depends on the country the buyer lives. If he lives in the USA, probably he will find a seller that accepts bitcoin for a cheaper price. But not on any other country, because shipping, say, to Europe, will make the price too high.

Cigarettes can be bought here on the forum and else where, but the seller probably will be american, so forget about buying if you live in Europe, Asia, etc.
sr. member
Activity: 405
Merit: 250
cigs for example

trying to find reasons to take it out of my current bank to put it into BTC

Not that many merchants accept btc payment yet. So, I do not think you can buy cigs using btc.

But based on my experience on buying ASIC miner, it is usually cheaper to pay using wire transfer than btc.

Apart from the bitpay 50,000 ish merchants etc..millions of merchants now accept bitcoin since 3 weeks ago...but may not know it yet

Xapo card can be used internationally at ANY merchant who accepts traditional debit/credit cards.

Although currently there is a 3% cost as time passes this will reduce ( to zero most probably) It is important to note that buying your cigs at home has a 3% extra cost but buying them when abroad is up to 5% cheaper ( exchange rate spread up to 5% in worst cases plus 2.5% +1% fees when buying in a foreign country)

https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.8323871
full member
Activity: 142
Merit: 100
cigs for example

trying to find reasons to take it out of my current bank to put it into BTC

Not that many merchants accept btc payment yet. So, I do not think you can buy cigs using btc.

But based on my experience on buying ASIC miner, it is usually cheaper to pay using wire transfer than btc.
legendary
Activity: 2324
Merit: 1125
Currently only in some cases but this will start to increase more and more as vendors start to get it. If they share their savings with the customer the number of customers will increase and so will the vendors savings.
In my experience vendors will not share their savings with consumers. There are many places that will actually charge higher prices for paying in bitcoin (this is likely because the merchant is paying too much to have their BTC payments processed). I would expect for overstock to be the first major merchant/store to offer some kind of discount in exchange for paying in bitcoin.

Read the topics around here and on Reddit. Companies that get it are starting to appear. Patience is the key.
sr. member
Activity: 476
Merit: 250
Currently only in some cases but this will start to increase more and more as vendors start to get it. If they share their savings with the customer the number of customers will increase and so will the vendors savings.
In my experience vendors will not share their savings with consumers. There are many places that will actually charge higher prices for paying in bitcoin (this is likely because the merchant is paying too much to have their BTC payments processed). I would expect for overstock to be the first major merchant/store to offer some kind of discount in exchange for paying in bitcoin.
legendary
Activity: 2324
Merit: 1125
Currently only in some cases but this will start to increase more and more as vendors start to get it. If they share their savings with the customer the number of customers will increase and so will the vendors savings.
sr. member
Activity: 322
Merit: 250
You could find very good deals in BTC because some merchants do big ass offers to promote their new BTC acceptance. For example I saw a PS4 for 319 the other day in some place I cant remember now, only if you paid with BTC.
hero member
Activity: 588
Merit: 500
Today, no. It will likely actually cost a little bit more because of exchange fees. Some time in the future: yes because stores will realize the cost savings associated with accepting bitcoin and will giving customers an incentive to use bitcoin via discounts and promotions

The problem with this idea is that payment networks such as Visa and Mastercard typically require merchants to agree that they will treat all payment methods the same. That's why, despite fees on credit card transactions, merchants don't offer discounts for using cash.
As a result of a recent settlement with VISA and MC, they are no longer able to include these clauses or enforce existing ones. Merchants are able to post separate prices for paying with a credit card verses paying in cash (or bitcoin, or any other payment method).
sr. member
Activity: 405
Merit: 250


Currently the big cost advantage in using bitcoin is in a) remitting fiat abroad and b) spending money abroad.

For retail purchases we are not yet at a significant cost advantage and in many cases it costs a little more but most in the industry are working toward the day that it will be cheaper to buy our groceries using bitcoin.


http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/overseas-card-charges

excluding exchange rate spread in most cases

vs

https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.8336962



http://www.theguardian.com/hifx-money-transfers/sending-money-abroad-time-to-ditch-your-bank

If you are buying $50,000 of goods from another country saving 2-4 % is a big deal


legendary
Activity: 1330
Merit: 1003
Today, no. It will likely actually cost a little bit more because of exchange fees. Some time in the future: yes because stores will realize the cost savings associated with accepting bitcoin and will giving customers an incentive to use bitcoin via discounts and promotions

The problem with this idea is that payment networks such as Visa and Mastercard typically require merchants to agree that they will treat all payment methods the same. That's why, despite fees on credit card transactions, merchants don't offer discounts for using cash.
hero member
Activity: 868
Merit: 1001
https://keybase.io/masterp FREE Escrow Service
Does your debit card company charge you fees? Many do.
I wouldn't say that your bank will charge you for a debit card, but the associated bank account will likely charge you a number of fees if you do not have enough money to carry a large balance in the account.
legendary
Activity: 4466
Merit: 3391
Does your debit card company charge you fees? Many do.
sr. member
Activity: 476
Merit: 250
Not yet, but they will be as merchants realize the cost savings associated with accepting bitcoin, especially with industries that have high risk of fraud and chargebacks.

There is already mechanisms in place to allow for merchants to give customers a discount in exchange for paying in bitcoin. Coinbase for example allows merchants to offer as much as a 25% discount. 
legendary
Activity: 3038
Merit: 1032
RIP Mommy
No, because bitcoin depreciates far more every day than fiat now.
newbie
Activity: 37
Merit: 0
cigs for example

trying to find reasons to take it out of my current bank to put it into BTC

i think using gyft is the best thing to use, try now!
full member
Activity: 166
Merit: 100
My impression is it is more expensive to use btc than using fiat. And I have to constantly worry about getting scammed or non-delivery.

Still do not see the advantage of using btc compare to traditional bank system.
legendary
Activity: 1582
Merit: 1064
cigs for example

trying to find reasons to take it out of my current bank to put it into BTC

Can you convert your fiat into BTC without paying exchange/transaction fees?
member
Activity: 84
Merit: 10
Yeah , its also more anonymous.
sr. member
Activity: 252
Merit: 251
Knowledge its everything
Some service give discount if pay with BTC
And the BTC fee transaction is small compared to bank/credit card/paypal
And some cheap service only offered with BTC (is what i found)

And you can use BTC for investment

There are some merchants who give discounts to those who pay in btc. There are also numerous options out there if you still want to use btc instead of your card, like buying a gift card etc.

If i'm right, g*ft.com right  Grin. They give discount -3% if you use BTC
legendary
Activity: 3542
Merit: 1352
Cashback 15%
There are some merchants who give discounts to those who pay in btc. There are also numerous options out there if you still want to use btc instead of your card, like buying a gift card etc.
full member
Activity: 238
Merit: 100
Today, no. It will likely actually cost a little bit more because of exchange fees. Some time in the future: yes because stores will realize the cost savings associated with accepting bitcoin and will giving customers an incentive to use bitcoin via discounts and promotions
hero member
Activity: 742
Merit: 500
I use Gyft when possible; 3% back makes me happy.
hero member
Activity: 784
Merit: 500
Try it and report back.  Personally i found bitcoin a PITA to use
hero member
Activity: 714
Merit: 503
that will depend on the seller conditions
in fact the card company set them a fee of 0.XX % and for them it is cheaper to accept bitcoin
sr. member
Activity: 406
Merit: 250
AltoCenter.com
legendary
Activity: 1148
Merit: 1014
In Satoshi I Trust
some vendors will give you a discount when you pay via BTC.

and also you support the idea behind bitcoin
member
Activity: 62
Merit: 10
cigs for example

trying to find reasons to take it out of my current bank to put it into BTC
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