I'm currently debating such issues with my lawyer, but the case is far from clear (and since we're in different jurisdictions, the results will not apply to you anyway).
We are surely in great need of some solid legal classification of Bitcoin - it would make life much easier for businesspeople and accountants when dealing with Bitcoin.
Let's hope the case of Mt. Gox will shed some light into this gray area.
Topic: POLL: Would you pay with bitcoins if prices and selection is similar to Amazon? (Read 1033 times)
October 14, 2011, 04:35:11 AM
October 14, 2011, 03:34:41 AM
Do you expect any result here that doesn't look like a good old fashioned Soviet election?
Interesting question - maybe we should have a poll 
Seriously though, I don't think it's that bad - while the local crowd is obviously biased towards Bitcoin - from my experience, the motives of why people like Bitcoin and how they use it are quite diverse. The results of such a poll might be helpful if you are about to launch a service and ask if people would use it.
Anyway - I think it would be great to have an Amazonesque service with Bitcoin, but don't forget that Amazon is popular not only due to large selection and good prices, but IMHO mostly because of pretty much hassle-free return policies, often no extra shipping costs, customer ratings and a very good user interface.
Since I'm using spendbitcoins.com for all my Amazon purchases already, I'd be happy to have a store which used Bitcoins 'natively'.
maybe I was a bit quick. There is the very real problem that payments in BTC are not tax deductable. Since I can deduct most of the stuff I buy on Amazon, this leaves only items that are not.
October 14, 2011, 03:26:39 AM
Yes. But similar to Amazon means a lot. And of course that prices are always a thing to consider.
PS: I shop at Amazon UK because they have cheap (sometimes free) postage to where I live. I would shop with bitcoins a lot more, but the stores I know are all US based...
PS: I shop at Amazon UK because they have cheap (sometimes free) postage to where I live. I would shop with bitcoins a lot more, but the stores I know are all US based...
October 14, 2011, 03:03:14 AM
Do you expect any result here that doesn't look like a good old fashioned Soviet election?
Interesting question - maybe we should have a poll Seriously though, I don't think it's that bad - while the local crowd is obviously biased towards Bitcoin - from my experience, the motives of why people like Bitcoin and how they use it are quite diverse. The results of such a poll might be helpful if you are about to launch a service and ask if people would use it.
Anyway - I think it would be great to have an Amazonesque service with Bitcoin, but don't forget that Amazon is popular not only due to large selection and good prices, but IMHO mostly because of pretty much hassle-free return policies, often no extra shipping costs, customer ratings and a very good user interface.
Since I'm using spendbitcoins.com for all my Amazon purchases already, I'd be happy to have a store which used Bitcoins 'natively'.
October 14, 2011, 02:51:47 AM
Another issue is though shipping!
Every shop ive seen so far caters for the USA (which could be beneficial if I can find a way to smuggle pop tarts through customs without paying tax, they are very expensive here).
Regular items though it is concerning to be purchased with coins as import tax can greatly outweigh any benefit..
...unless these shops were to mark down "Amount Paid: 0USD, tokens used." or something.. not sure if that would wash but if we aint paying in cash how can we get taxed on what we paid xD..
Every shop ive seen so far caters for the USA (which could be beneficial if I can find a way to smuggle pop tarts through customs without paying tax, they are very expensive here).
Regular items though it is concerning to be purchased with coins as import tax can greatly outweigh any benefit..
...unless these shops were to mark down "Amount Paid: 0USD, tokens used." or something.. not sure if that would wash but if we aint paying in cash how can we get taxed on what we paid xD..
October 14, 2011, 01:58:31 AM
One question: Would you pay with bitcoins if prices and selection is similar to Amazon?
Do you expect any result here that doesn't look like a good old fashioned Soviet election?
-Anu
October 14, 2011, 01:41:24 AM
One question: Would you pay with bitcoins if prices and selection is similar to Amazon?
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