There has to be a better way (getting USD to BTC)

notme

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Quote from: dogisland on January 28, 2013, 10:26:00 AM

Quote from: robamichael on January 28, 2013, 09:56:31 AM

Bitcoin-otc seems like a good way to trade, but it's the opposite of user friendly, and it's very easy to get scammed. Actually, my only attempt to trade on bitcoin-otc resulted in myself being scammed Shocked

.

Try Bitcoinary.com, lot's of traders, user friendly and with escrow.

Link in my sig.

One plug per thread is probably enough Wink

dogisland

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Merit: 250

Quote from: robamichael on January 28, 2013, 09:56:31 AM

Bitcoin-otc seems like a good way to trade, but it's the opposite of user friendly, and it's very easy to get scammed. Actually, my only attempt to trade on bitcoin-otc resulted in myself being scammed Shocked

.

Try Bitcoinary.com, lot's of traders, user friendly and with escrow.

Link in my sig.

Yankee (BitInstant)

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Charlie 'Van Bitcoin' Shrem

Quote from: robamichael on January 28, 2013, 09:56:31 AM

My local CVS had no clue how to process my BitInstant transaction.

After ~1 hour of standing around, waiting for the clerk to figure it out, I was told it would not be possible at that location.

What was the location? They can lose their license for denying you.

Please call our support next time from the store.

robamichael

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My local CVS had no clue how to process my BitInstant transaction.

After ~1 hour of standing around, waiting for the clerk to figure it out, I was told it would not be possible at that location.

Bitcoin-otc seems like a good way to trade, but it's the opposite of user friendly, and it's very easy to get scammed. Actually, my only attempt to trade on bitcoin-otc resulted in myself being scammed Shocked

.

Obviously the market is demanding something better. If anyone would lead the way on this one, I'm sure they would make a good penny.

justusranvier

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Quote from: redbeans2012 on January 27, 2013, 04:23:06 PM

Since there is a 3rd party in the mix too.

1. The sender (you)
2. BitInstant
3. MoneyGram
4. ZipZap
5. The recipient (Mt Gox/Dwolla/Coinapult, etc)

As far as MoneyGram is concerned, you are sending money to ZipZap (a bill paying service). ZipZap is who gives your money to BitInstant (after taking their fee).

BitInstant is the one who tells ZipZap about the "bill" that you will be paying so that ZipZap can prepare to receive it.

Once BitInstant finally gets the money they can send it to whichever destination you chose.

westkybitcoins

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Firstbits: Compromised. Thanks, Android!

Quote from: opentoe on January 27, 2013, 04:11:57 PM

Quote from: westkybitcoins on January 27, 2013, 04:08:06 PM

Quote from: redbeans2012 on January 27, 2013, 02:00:10 PM

Quote from: opentoe on January 27, 2013, 12:48:53 PM

Quote from: justusranvier on January 25, 2013, 03:56:26 PM

As far as I know you can use BitInstant with any MoneyGram location, and those are virtually everywhere.

This is hell. It took me all day to do a simple cash deposit with this MoneyGram deal. No matter what amount I told the cashier I wanted to deposit it was the wrong amount and I had to go back to that stupid red phone and call Money Gram again. I had to visit 3 CVS stores and an Acme to get one stupid deposit done. Then all the fees on top of that it just killed me.

Yeah I did it the other day too. Went back and forth to the red phone 3 or 4 times. Cashiers had no idea what to do. I eventually left and got my bitcoins from another source.

Never had to deal with the red phone myself. I used Wal-Mart, took the slip with me, went to the MoneyGram counter, and was done within minutes. I can actually get it done on my lunch break.

It's a little surprising that CVS clerks would have that much trouble.

Curious. You have to actually speak with a Money Gram agent first so they can put your transaction in the terminal so the cashier can process the payment. Are you saying there was a Money Gram rep at the Wal-Mart store?

At many of the regional Wal-Marts (I can't believe it wouldn't be nationwide) they have "finance counters" or something similar near the front of the store. They have services such as Wal-Mart credit card signup, prepaid debit card sales, sometimes a branch office of a real bank, and MoneyGram transfers.

Whether it was an official rep of MoneyGram or not, I'm not sure, all I know is I went to the counter, filled out the form, the clerk entered the data, and the deal was done. No extra step with a phone calling MoneyGram, nothing like that.

Yankee (BitInstant)

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Charlie 'Van Bitcoin' Shrem

Quote from: redbeans2012 on January 27, 2013, 04:23:06 PM

Not complaining. I have a high tolerance for pain and will give you guys another try. Will be better prepared next time.

Thanks, if there is trouble next time, call the 716 number on our site from the store, we have people trained for this!

redbeans2012

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Quote from: Yankee (BitInstant) on January 27, 2013, 03:02:52 PM

Quote from: redbeans2012 on January 27, 2013, 02:00:10 PM

Quote from: opentoe on January 27, 2013, 12:48:53 PM

Quote from: justusranvier on January 25, 2013, 03:56:26 PM

As far as I know you can use BitInstant with any MoneyGram location, and those are virtually everywhere.

This is hell. It took me all day to do a simple cash deposit with this MoneyGram deal. No matter what amount I told the cashier I wanted to deposit it was the wrong amount and I had to go back to that stupid red phone and call Money Gram again. I had to visit 3 CVS stores and an Acme to get one stupid deposit done. Then all the fees on top of that it just killed me.

Yeah I did it the other day too. Went back and forth to the red phone 3 or 4 times. Cashiers had no idea what to do. I eventually left and got my bitcoins from another source.

There are instructions on the back of the slip for the merchant. The merchant needs to enter 0 moneygram fees since its included already. That's probably why it failed.

Next time, call us while your in the store so we can walk you thru it

Charlie

Yeah she didn't know what to do. I didn't know who to call either. Since there is a 3rd party in the mix too.

Not complaining. I have a high tolerance for pain and will give you guys another try. Will be better prepared next time.

opentoe

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Personal text my ass....

Quote from: westkybitcoins on January 27, 2013, 04:08:06 PM

Quote from: redbeans2012 on January 27, 2013, 02:00:10 PM

Quote from: opentoe on January 27, 2013, 12:48:53 PM

Quote from: justusranvier on January 25, 2013, 03:56:26 PM

As far as I know you can use BitInstant with any MoneyGram location, and those are virtually everywhere.

This is hell. It took me all day to do a simple cash deposit with this MoneyGram deal. No matter what amount I told the cashier I wanted to deposit it was the wrong amount and I had to go back to that stupid red phone and call Money Gram again. I had to visit 3 CVS stores and an Acme to get one stupid deposit done. Then all the fees on top of that it just killed me.

Yeah I did it the other day too. Went back and forth to the red phone 3 or 4 times. Cashiers had no idea what to do. I eventually left and got my bitcoins from another source.

Never had to deal with the red phone myself. I used Wal-Mart, took the slip with me, went to the MoneyGram counter, and was done within minutes. I can actually get it done on my lunch break.

It's a little surprising that CVS clerks would have that much trouble.

Curious. You have to actually speak with a Money Gram agent first so they can put your transaction in the terminal so the cashier can process the payment. Are you saying there was a Money Gram rep at the Wal-Mart store?

westkybitcoins

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Activity: 980

Merit: 1004

Firstbits: Compromised. Thanks, Android!

Quote from: redbeans2012 on January 27, 2013, 02:00:10 PM

Quote from: opentoe on January 27, 2013, 12:48:53 PM

Quote from: justusranvier on January 25, 2013, 03:56:26 PM

As far as I know you can use BitInstant with any MoneyGram location, and those are virtually everywhere.

This is hell. It took me all day to do a simple cash deposit with this MoneyGram deal. No matter what amount I told the cashier I wanted to deposit it was the wrong amount and I had to go back to that stupid red phone and call Money Gram again. I had to visit 3 CVS stores and an Acme to get one stupid deposit done. Then all the fees on top of that it just killed me.

Yeah I did it the other day too. Went back and forth to the red phone 3 or 4 times. Cashiers had no idea what to do. I eventually left and got my bitcoins from another source.

Never had to deal with the red phone myself. I used Wal-Mart, took the slip with me, went to the MoneyGram counter, and was done within minutes. I can actually get it done on my lunch break.

It's a little surprising that CVS clerks would have that much trouble.

Yankee (BitInstant)

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Merit: 1000

Charlie 'Van Bitcoin' Shrem

Quote from: redbeans2012 on January 27, 2013, 02:00:10 PM

Quote from: opentoe on January 27, 2013, 12:48:53 PM

Quote from: justusranvier on January 25, 2013, 03:56:26 PM

As far as I know you can use BitInstant with any MoneyGram location, and those are virtually everywhere.

This is hell. It took me all day to do a simple cash deposit with this MoneyGram deal. No matter what amount I told the cashier I wanted to deposit it was the wrong amount and I had to go back to that stupid red phone and call Money Gram again. I had to visit 3 CVS stores and an Acme to get one stupid deposit done. Then all the fees on top of that it just killed me.

Yeah I did it the other day too. Went back and forth to the red phone 3 or 4 times. Cashiers had no idea what to do. I eventually left and got my bitcoins from another source.

There are instructions on the back of the slip for the merchant. The merchant needs to enter 0 moneygram fees since its included already. That's probably why it failed.

Next time, call us while your in the store so we can walk you thru it

Charlie

redbeans2012

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Activity: 887

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Quote from: opentoe on January 27, 2013, 12:48:53 PM

Quote from: justusranvier on January 25, 2013, 03:56:26 PM

As far as I know you can use BitInstant with any MoneyGram location, and those are virtually everywhere.

This is hell. It took me all day to do a simple cash deposit with this MoneyGram deal. No matter what amount I told the cashier I wanted to deposit it was the wrong amount and I had to go back to that stupid red phone and call Money Gram again. I had to visit 3 CVS stores and an Acme to get one stupid deposit done. Then all the fees on top of that it just killed me.

Yeah I did it the other day too. Went back and forth to the red phone 3 or 4 times. Cashiers had no idea what to do. I eventually left and got my bitcoins from another source.

smoothie

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LEALANA Bitcoin Grim Reaper

Quote from: Yankee (BitInstant) on January 27, 2013, 01:17:04 PM

Quote from: smoothie on January 27, 2013, 01:07:03 PM

Quote from: opentoe on January 27, 2013, 12:48:53 PM

Quote from: justusranvier on January 25, 2013, 03:56:26 PM

As far as I know you can use BitInstant with any MoneyGram location, and those are virtually everywhere.

This is hell. It took me all day to do a simple cash deposit with this MoneyGram deal. No matter what amount I told the cashier I wanted to deposit it was the wrong amount and I had to go back to that stupid red phone and call Money Gram again. I had to visit 3 CVS stores and an Acme to get one stupid deposit done. Then all the fees on top of that it just killed me.

Not only that but Bitinstant doesn't advise you to change the amounts if you are transferring > $1000 in $500 increments. Example: $500, $499.75, $499.50...etc.

Wasted like 6 hours trying to figure out what was wrong. In my opinion all the pitfalls of their system need to be well documented and put on their website.

1 hour my ass lol

Agreed, we've had alot of suggestions like these in the past few weeks. So, we have a solution that should be rolled out very soon.

Thanks!

Looking forward to it Charlie

Yankee (BitInstant)

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Charlie 'Van Bitcoin' Shrem

Quote from: smoothie on January 27, 2013, 01:07:03 PM

Quote from: opentoe on January 27, 2013, 12:48:53 PM

Quote from: justusranvier on January 25, 2013, 03:56:26 PM

As far as I know you can use BitInstant with any MoneyGram location, and those are virtually everywhere.

This is hell. It took me all day to do a simple cash deposit with this MoneyGram deal. No matter what amount I told the cashier I wanted to deposit it was the wrong amount and I had to go back to that stupid red phone and call Money Gram again. I had to visit 3 CVS stores and an Acme to get one stupid deposit done. Then all the fees on top of that it just killed me.

Not only that but Bitinstant doesn't advise you to change the amounts if you are transferring > $1000 in $500 increments. Example: $500, $499.75, $499.50...etc.

Wasted like 6 hours trying to figure out what was wrong. In my opinion all the pitfalls of their system need to be well documented and put on their website.

1 hour my ass lol

Agreed, we've had alot of suggestions like these in the past few weeks. So, we have a solution that should be rolled out very soon.

Thanks!

smoothie

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Activity: 2492

Merit: 1491

LEALANA Bitcoin Grim Reaper

Quote from: opentoe on January 27, 2013, 12:48:53 PM

Quote from: justusranvier on January 25, 2013, 03:56:26 PM

As far as I know you can use BitInstant with any MoneyGram location, and those are virtually everywhere.

This is hell. It took me all day to do a simple cash deposit with this MoneyGram deal. No matter what amount I told the cashier I wanted to deposit it was the wrong amount and I had to go back to that stupid red phone and call Money Gram again. I had to visit 3 CVS stores and an Acme to get one stupid deposit done. Then all the fees on top of that it just killed me.

Not only that but Bitinstant doesn't advise you to change the amounts if you are transferring > $1000 in $500 increments. Example: $500, $499.75, $499.50...etc.

Wasted like 6 hours trying to figure out what was wrong. In my opinion all the pitfalls of their system need to be well documented and put on their website.

1 hour my ass lol

opentoe

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Activity: 1274

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Personal text my ass....

Quote from: justusranvier on January 25, 2013, 03:56:26 PM

As far as I know you can use BitInstant with any MoneyGram location, and those are virtually everywhere.

This is hell. It took me all day to do a simple cash deposit with this MoneyGram deal. No matter what amount I told the cashier I wanted to deposit it was the wrong amount and I had to go back to that stupid red phone and call Money Gram again. I had to visit 3 CVS stores and an Acme to get one stupid deposit done. Then all the fees on top of that it just killed me.

smoothie

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Activity: 2492

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LEALANA Bitcoin Grim Reaper

Quote from: Yankee (BitInstant) on January 27, 2013, 12:47:02 PM

Quote from: mitty on January 26, 2013, 10:53:35 PM

...I don't think there's any way to speed up ACH transfers.

Wait and see.... Grin

Still waiting on those Bitinstant Paycards.

5 months later...still nothing. I see a pattern here. Cheesy

Yankee (BitInstant)

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Charlie 'Van Bitcoin' Shrem

Quote from: mitty on January 26, 2013, 10:53:35 PM

...I don't think there's any way to speed up ACH transfers.

Wait and see.... Grin

dogisland

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Bitcoinary - It's in my sig.

Deal with people directly lots of deposit options and lots of currencies.

justusranvier

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Quote from: mitty on January 26, 2013, 10:53:35 PM

Either way I agree with the OP that there need to be easier ways to buy bitcoins. The current methods are simply too slow and/or annoying. Unfortunately there's just too high of a risk for anyone to accept credit cards for BTC and I don't think there's any way to speed up ACH transfers.

There is an idea that's been floating around for a few years but hasn't actually happened yet:

https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/looking-for-potential-investors-bitcoin-credit-union-20135
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/bitcoin-credit-unions-53765
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/credit-unions-and-bitcoin-93294
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/discussion-establishment-of-a-bitcoin-credit-union-108763
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/bitcoin-credit-union-128919

Topic: There has to be a better way (getting USD to BTC) (Read 4848 times)