Author

Topic: Buying Bitcoins locally in Austin (Read 765 times)

full member
Activity: 126
Merit: 100
April 03, 2013, 03:44:53 PM
#7
I find it significantly safer to meet a buyer in person than to wire money from my bank account to some website that I have no idea if they will credit my account with BTC after they receive my money. If they don't credit me with BTC, I have absolutely no recourse. If someone is sitting right in front of me at a coffeeshop with their laptop, and they try to run out with my money, I will run after them and call the police for stealing from me.
legendary
Activity: 1078
Merit: 1003
April 02, 2013, 11:27:04 PM
#6
This is very slightly off topic, but

Why buy locally? Does it seem safer for some reason? Or is it because the exchanges are too hard to put money into? I've seen those websites that help connect people who want to buy and sell locally, but I don't understand the attraction.

1.  It's generally anonymous.  The guy you're trading with doesn't need to see your ID.  He doesn't need to see your driver's license.  He doesn't need to know your Social Security number.  He doesn't need to see a bill within the last 3 months that proves you live at the address you say you live at.  Any exchange involving USD will want at least one of these, if not all of them.

2.  Show up with cash, buy the coins, go home.  You have to pay for gas, but, that's about it.

3.  The exchanges are a bitch to put money into, as you said.  No matter what you do, there's a lengthy process involved.  USD is just fucking hard to move around, thanks to regulation; the gov has to make sure you're doing what they want you to do with your money.
legendary
Activity: 1540
Merit: 1000
April 02, 2013, 11:15:59 PM
#5
I guess you could argue it is safer but it depends on where you are and so on, it all depends on how comfortable you are meeting a stranger in person to do business I guess, I'd actually find it safer myself but that's because I'm no I.T security expert Tongue.
sr. member
Activity: 308
Merit: 250
Jack of oh so many trades.
April 02, 2013, 11:13:37 PM
#4
This is very slightly off topic, but

Why buy locally? Does it seem safer for some reason? Or is it because the exchanges are too hard to put money into? I've seen those websites that help connect people who want to buy and sell locally, but I don't understand the attraction.
newbie
Activity: 15
Merit: 0
April 02, 2013, 09:57:17 PM
#3
Im a former Austinite - let me know how it goes!

Pat
Houston, TX
newbie
Activity: 9
Merit: 0
April 02, 2013, 09:51:17 PM
#2
You can also try localbitcoins and see if anyone around Austin is selling too. Use the zipcode and search away.
full member
Activity: 126
Merit: 100
April 02, 2013, 09:12:35 PM
#1
Hi everybody,

Bitcoin newbie here!! I would love to buy Bitcoins from someone locally in Austin, Texas. If you know anybody in Austin who is willing to meet in person at a public location to sell me Bitcoins, I would love to be put in touch with them.

Thanks!
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