In places where the populace hasn't been disarmed and made into slaves; bring your gun. I'm in rural Florida and I encourage all I do business with to bring their guns, too. Never had to worry about any funny business. Gun People are generally the most honest and cool you'll ever find. I take a personal check from a guy with a gun cooler than mine any time. No problems. Ever.
WiFi? Where's your cellular data?
An armed society is a polite society.
Topic: Tips for local transactions - page 33. (Read 839791 times)
Permission to translate the OP and post it on another site? (Not claiming to be my original work of course.)
Generate paper wallet and fund it. Let them check the public address, get their item in your posession, give them the private key, let them sweep it out in front of you, then leave.
Here's a report of a face-to-face transaction gone bad.
In this instance, a person selling headphones through Craigslist was contacted and a face-to-face trade (at a McDonalds) was arranged. Except it didn't go according to the buyer's plan and the seller left with both the headphones and the bitcoins:
I just got robbed blind of bitcoins - in person. I'm feeling like I've lost trust in the usability of the currency and looking for advice.
- http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/1b89wm
In this instance, a person selling headphones through Craigslist was contacted and a face-to-face trade (at a McDonalds) was arranged. Except it didn't go according to the buyer's plan and the seller left with both the headphones and the bitcoins:
I just got robbed blind of bitcoins - in person. I'm feeling like I've lost trust in the usability of the currency and looking for advice.
- http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/1b89wm
I'd highly recommend an openly-carried Glock 19 or similar -- if legal in your area, of course 
(Thankfully, it is here)
(Thankfully, it is here) 
This would make sense if you know the person, or are trading something flash/illegal.
However, if neither of these things is true, being on camera would go a long way to help w/security.
However, if neither of these things is true, being on camera would go a long way to help w/security.
i agree cameras would help with security, but that's a tradeoff between security and privacy
i'd generally go for the latter myself
Wow, look who's talking! Mr BitcoinMax himself, a fkn thieve and a liar.
That's my favourite method to buy BTC, meeting up with the seller (also,the safest!)
This would make sense if you know the person, or are trading something flash/illegal.
However, if neither of these things is true, being on camera would go a long way to help w/security.
However, if neither of these things is true, being on camera would go a long way to help w/security.
i agree cameras would help with security, but that's a tradeoff between security and privacy
i'd generally go for the latter myself
Meeting:
There are three main things I look for in meeting places:
Public Location:
Public locations are like Local Trading 101: it is always better to meet in a public place.
There are three main things I look for in meeting places:
- Public Location - Are there plenty of people around?
- WiFi Access - Is there free or cheap public WiFi access in the area?
- Security - Are there security cameras or security guards in the area?
Public Location:
Public locations are like Local Trading 101: it is always better to meet in a public place.
i'm sure your post is helpful for some people, and it does seem like a good write-up, however your list is pretty much the exact opposite of what I would look for in a trade
- Private location - no rubber-neckers
- WiFi Access unnecessary as everyone where i'm from has a data allowance on their phone
- Big brother - Are there no security cameras in the area?
This would make sense if you know the person, or are trading something flash/illegal.
However, if neither of these things is true, being on camera would go a long way to help w/security.
Added to the user tips.
I have a data plan phone too, but WiFi works a lot quicker. I need to upgrade to LTE, lol!
Anyways, it seems like you value privacy in your transactions, which is fine. As long as you feel safe in your trades, go with what's comfortable for you.
Anyways, it seems like you value privacy in your transactions, which is fine. As long as you feel safe in your trades, go with what's comfortable for you.
Meeting:
There are three main things I look for in meeting places:
Public Location:
Public locations are like Local Trading 101: it is always better to meet in a public place.
There are three main things I look for in meeting places:
- Public Location - Are there plenty of people around?
- WiFi Access - Is there free or cheap public WiFi access in the area?
- Security - Are there security cameras or security guards in the area?
Public Location:
Public locations are like Local Trading 101: it is always better to meet in a public place.
i'm sure your post is helpful for some people, and it does seem like a good write-up, however your list is pretty much the exact opposite of what I would look for in a trade
- Private location - no rubber-neckers
- WiFi Access unnecessary as everyone where i'm from has a data allowance on their phone
- Big brother - Are there no security cameras in the area?
To Stephen: like I said in my original post, it would probably be easier to buy a marker that can detect false bills to bring with you. Less conspicuous than lifting large volumes of currency up to the lights and squinting at them.
Markers don't detect that bills have been bleached and reprinted.
- http://www.myfoxny.com/story/19100813/man-suspected-to-be-using-counterfeit-bills-in-nj
Hadn't heard of that before. Good advice to know though!
To Stephen: like I said in my original post, it would probably be easier to buy a marker that can detect false bills to bring with you. Less conspicuous than lifting large volumes of currency up to the lights and squinting at them.
Markers don't detect that bills have been bleached and reprinted.
- http://www.myfoxny.com/story/19100813/man-suspected-to-be-using-counterfeit-bills-in-nj
Also, if you are trading large sums of money/goods it could make sense to have another person with you that the person that you are trading with doesn't know about, who could step in and break up any conflict that might arise.
This is a really good piece of advice: strength in numbers. Mentioning a second person could also help deter potential muggers who won't want to deal with two people. And, like you said, simply having a friend sitting a table away can help if a dangerous situation arises.
I would personally disclose an additional person to the other trader (either in advance or during the meeting), but that's up to the discretion of the trader. I certainly don't see the harm in keeping it quiet, since it hopefully wouldn't be a sour trade in the first place.
Added to the user tips.
My tip is to meet at some sort of table and set up a camera to monitor the transaction.
For extra security, have the camera recording to some sort of remote server.
For extra security, have the camera recording to some sort of remote server.
If you intend to record video or audio then as a professional courtesy you should disclose that in advance. Many trading for cash are doing so with the preference for privacy and you recording that transaction conflicts with that.
Additionally, there are unintended consequences. Your camera setup will draw attention from bystanders and thus increase the risk of a potential robber seeing a wad of cash change hands -- something that might trigger that person's split-second decision to relieve you of that cash.
If you are trading a larger amount of funds it makes sense that you might want to use some of the same tools that would be employed by any financial organization dealing with similar amounts. For instance, to confirm the cash contains no counterfeits involves having adequate lighting and the liberty to raise each bill to the light to inspect the security features. For a small amount that can be done inconspicuously even in a coffee shop, but try doing that from a sample of fifty bills and you'll stick out like a sore thumb. I don't know the threshold but trading a couple hundred dollars worth of coins is going to be a night and day difference from a trade involving a thousand dollars or more.
Remember too the saying that you don't bring a knife to a gunfight. If you are thinking a camera will protect you from physical harm, you might be projecting too much significance with that mode of defense.
Fair points. Bringing your own camera may not be necessary if you're meeting at a place with plenty of security. Places like malls have security cameras so you don't have to bring your own.
And I agree with Stephen: if you do decide to bring your own camera, make sure to okay it with the other trader before you set everything up to record. Certain jurisdictions may have privacy laws that could open you up to legal trouble, and you wouldn't want to provoke an argument with someone who values his privacy. However, I could see the mention of bringing a camera being a preventive method: like I mentioned about the public locations, a camera may cause a mugger to change his mind about the deal, preventing the crime before it happens. I wouldn't rely on it as a deterrent though.
To Stephen: like I said in my original post, it would probably be easier to buy a marker that can detect false bills to bring with you. Less conspicuous than lifting large volumes of currency up to the lights and squinting at them.
Great points, but i was thinking that the camera would be useful if you were in a retail location w/o cameras, like starbucks.
I also assumed that you would let the other person know about the camera.
To avoid drawing attention you could use some sort of low-profile camera, like a button camera.
Also, if you are trading large sums of money/goods it could make sense to have another person with you that the person that you are trading with doesn't know about, who could step in and break up any conflict that might arise.
My tip is to meet at some sort of table and set up a camera to monitor the transaction.
For extra security, have the camera recording to some sort of remote server.
For extra security, have the camera recording to some sort of remote server.
If you intend to record video or audio then as a professional courtesy you should disclose that in advance. Many trading for cash are doing so with the preference for privacy and you recording that transaction conflicts with that.
Additionally, there are unintended consequences. Your camera setup will draw attention from bystanders and thus increase the risk of a potential robber seeing a wad of cash change hands -- something that might trigger that person's split-second decision to relieve you of that cash.
If you are trading a larger amount of funds it makes sense that you might want to use some of the same tools that would be employed by any financial organization dealing with similar amounts. For instance, to confirm the cash contains no counterfeits involves having adequate lighting and the liberty to raise each bill to the light to inspect the security features. For a small amount that can be done inconspicuously even in a coffee shop, but try doing that from a sample of fifty bills and you'll stick out like a sore thumb. I don't know the threshold but trading a couple hundred dollars worth of coins is going to be a night and day difference from a trade involving a thousand dollars or more.
Remember too the saying that you don't bring a knife to a gunfight. If you are thinking a camera will protect you from physical harm, you might be projecting too much significance with that mode of defense.
Fair points. Bringing your own camera may not be necessary if you're meeting at a place with plenty of security. Places like malls have security cameras so you don't have to bring your own.
And I agree with Stephen: if you do decide to bring your own camera, make sure to okay it with the other trader before you set everything up to record. Certain jurisdictions may have privacy laws that could open you up to legal trouble, and you wouldn't want to provoke an argument with someone who values his privacy. However, I could see the mention of bringing a camera being a preventive method: like I mentioned about the public locations, a camera may cause a mugger to change his mind about the deal, preventing the crime before it happens. I wouldn't rely on it as a deterrent though.
To Stephen: like I said in my original post, it would probably be easier to buy a marker that can detect false bills to bring with you. Less conspicuous than lifting large volumes of currency up to the lights and squinting at them.
My tip is to meet at some sort of table and set up a camera to monitor the transaction.
For extra security, have the camera recording to some sort of remote server.
For extra security, have the camera recording to some sort of remote server.
If you intend to record video or audio then as a professional courtesy you should disclose that in advance. Many trading for cash are doing so with the preference for privacy and you recording that transaction conflicts with that.
Additionally, there are unintended consequences. Your camera setup will draw attention from bystanders and thus increase the risk of a potential robber seeing a wad of cash change hands -- something that might trigger that person's split-second decision to relieve you of that cash.
If you are trading a larger amount of funds it makes sense that you might want to use some of the same tools that would be employed by any financial organization dealing with similar amounts. For instance, to confirm the cash contains no counterfeits involves having adequate lighting and the liberty to raise each bill to the light to inspect the security features. For a small amount that can be done inconspicuously even in a coffee shop, but try doing that from a sample of fifty bills and you'll stick out like a sore thumb. I don't know the threshold but trading a couple hundred dollars worth of coins is going to be a night and day difference from a trade involving a thousand dollars or more.
Remember too the saying that you don't bring a knife to a gunfight. If you are thinking a camera will protect you from physical harm, you might be projecting too much significance with that mode of defense.
My tip is to meet at some sort of table and set up a camera to monitor the transaction.
For extra security, have the camera recording to some sort of remote server.
For extra security, have the camera recording to some sort of remote server.
Stickied. Great tips for local transactions, and should help to keep new users safe.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks for the sticky! Really hope this advice can help everyone out!
Stickied. Great tips for local transactions, and should help to keep new users safe.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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