Topic: quick basic question by noob about localbitcoins process (Read 606 times)

Thanks very much Odo for the detailed response.   

I trade on LocalBitcoins and what you described looks normal. Check the transaction to see if the escrow has been funded. It should tell you somewhere around where the "mark payment complete" button is. If there is no such button then escrow has not been funded and you should not pay yet.

"how does anyone verify that the bitcoins were sent to the correct wallet? I assume it must go thru my localbitcoins wallet but there is no instruction to that effect."

The bitcoins in escrow will be sent to your LocalBitcoins wallet when they are released. If you arrange to have then sent elsewhere, then you have to check the block chain.

"What if $ is deposited and bitcoins never sent?  Can seller claim i requested sent to a different wallet or must it always go to my localbitcoins wallet?"

Make sure that everything about the transaction is documented in the transaction thread. If the escrow is never released, you can dispute the transaction in 24 hours. The staff will review the transaction and decide who gets the bitcoins. You can upload the image of the deposit slip as proof that you paid.

Other things:

Take a look at the seller's feedback. If he has many transactions and good feedback, then he is probably legit, though it is not guaranteed.

Whatever you do, do not cancel/close the transaction after you have paid unless you have received the bitcoins.

But when you using the non local option most of them use Dualla or something like that right?  I got lucky and found a guy who apparently was feeling lucky that day and was selling them with paypal.

Generally, two people meet up in person, at a coffeeshop or something.

The person selling bitcoins will send the transaction when the person buying displays the cash. Once there is 1 or two confirmations, the money is handed over and you both head your separate ways

What is the normal process thru localbitcoins then?

This does not seem normal to me at all.

Trying to buy first time thru Localbitcoins.  I initiated a purchase and the seller enabled and funded escrow.  He then said I just deposit $ into his bank account and after I send him a scan of the deposit slip, he will release the coins.  He says he only sends me my verify code from local bitcoins after i deposit $.

I just want to check this is the normal/correct procedure.  For example, how does anyone verify that the bitcoins were sent to the correct wallet.  I assume it must go thru my localbitcoins wallet but there is no instruction to that effect.  What if $ is deposited and bitcoins never sent?  Can seller claim i requested sent to a different wallet or must it always go to my localbitcoins wallet?  Is localbitcoins good at taking the loss and paying my bitcoins in such a case - and if so what do i need to prove the $ was deposited?  Just my deposit slip from seller's bank?