I've been hanging around the last few days, posting silly questions and trying to get a handle. One of my main points of curiosity was how I could (a) buy some bitcoin and (b) spend some bitcoin. So a couple of nights ago after a *particularly* nice bottle (OK, I started into the second, so shoot me) I decided to unlimber the debit card and get purchasing...
And WOW it's a pain in the ass.
I can't use Paypal. OK, I get this - it's reversible. That's not what we want.
I can't seem to get Kraken going because they want a SEPA transfer. Give me a break please, I want my coins now, because I want to SPEND them now.
Circle doesn't like my card because I am not from the USA. From other people's posts on here, I am assuming there is a way around this, but I got stuck at the "Please enter a valid ZIP code". I'm from Ireland. You can, on a windy day, with a good lungful, spit from one side of the country to the other. We don't NEED zip codes. We all know each other, and just drop the mail around to each other's houses. OK, that's not true. Uncle Mick takes care of that, and he has a good pair of shoes.
So I find Virwox. Hey! I can buy these Lindenny thingies. And then they'll give me Bitcoin for them! Now, right?
Eh....no. You've probably figured out by now that I took the plunge anyhow, but I am a bit pissed at how the thing went down. Start an account, enter a debit card, buy the Lindenthings. OK, great so far. Except....the 15% (FIFTEEN FUCKING PERCENT?) fee. Alright, done is done, let's just convert the things and do something with the damn Bitcoin.
Except....no. I can trade from money in Lindenmebobs instantly, then I can trade from Lindenjobbies into BTC - but that part is not, of course instant. It requires a "manual step". Presumably someone has to look at it and think carefully for 48 hours, then click the button that says "Looks legit.". And it DID take 48 hours. 47.5 to be precise.
So OK, last night I got my 0.18 Bitcoin, purchase at the ball-shrivelling price of €50. Was mildly sozzled when I got it, so decided that it would be my "impartial review of games of chance" night. Blew the lot on a Bitcoin slot machine in a few hours. Honestly, I enjoyed myself. Can't complain about that, and I'll probably do that again.
But someone, please....there HAS to be an easier way??
The Bitcoin community wants uptake. And us shallow, newbie consumer types WANT to take it up. But when it's THIS damn hard....anyone else see this as a problem?
Ist.
localbitcoins.com easiest way to buy