Another ex-lurker ready to join in the fray, hope no-one minds me jumping in here. Struck me as better etiquette than a new thread
![Smiley](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/smiley.gif)
What brings me here? Well I started some small time mining about 3 months ago.
I'm nearly at my first 1 BTC (stop laughing
![Grin](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/grin.gif)
Why don't I buy some from an exchange? Well I've signed up to a couple. But I'm yet to tackle the AML malarkey with mgtox. Often their minimum SEPA xfers are higher and so more risk that the amounts I want to deal in initially. Also I don't like their history to hacks and losses etc, plus all the loops to jump through to get money in and out. For me, I'd consider buying small amounts of BTC from private traders on here with good rep and trust a better risk than exchanges that struggle to provide support when things go bad.
So there you have it. Hope that counts as a substantial and meaningful first post! Looking forward to the party.