How can I buy bitcoins using Western Union (October 2012)?

3

I would like to use Western Union to buy some Bitcoins. I have carefully read Bitcoin's wiki page about buying Bitcoins now I'm after users' input about which service they would recommend. There's a lot of services and I am just after the quickest and safest (like everyone I guess). Could, you guys, recommend a service you find to be the best please?

Bencori

Posted 2012-10-08T06:56:43.713

Reputation: 33

Answers

5

Western Union is a hassle and is expensive. Bitcoins Direct was accepting WU payments until just a couple days ago. In the U.S., about the last exchange to accept WU (USD) for bitcoins is:

In the EU there is an exchange that accepts WU (EUR):

There are also some others. For instance:

As far as other options, the factors relevant to providing the right advice include:

  • Where are you located (country)?
  • How much are you looking to buy?
  • What payment methods do you have available?
  • How soon do you need access to the proceeds?
  • Is privacy important?

Quite simply, depositing cash at a bank or 7-11, Walmart, CVS is going to be the fastest and easiest way.

Options:

Also, Bitcoins Direct will accept cash, but they have a $500 minimum order size:

Or you might find a local trade (paying cash):

The fees aren't trivial but you can use a credit card to purchase by using VirWoX where you can buy SLL using your credit card, then trade SLL for BTC:

Or if you are considering a bank transfer, there all kinds of options are available:

There is also #bitcoin-otc where you can connect with sellers via IRC:

Buying bitcoin with western union westernuniontobitcoins.com is very easy, being one of the few that allows you to transfer money online directly to bank account or to a person authorized to raise money from an office W.U

Stephen Gornick

Posted 2012-10-08T06:56:43.713

Reputation: 26 118

Thank you for extensive reply. This really does help ! And in your reply I have found what I couldn't even imagine existing where I live (Paris, France): cash for BTC exchangers (your link http://localbitcoins.com) which is absolutely perfect since I have found a guy living really close to mine. So I have contacted him and I'll just go to his place with my laptop, exchange cash for BTC at a very nice rate (more or less Mtgox's) which is absolutely perfect. It's instant, anonymous, quick and free of fees. Thank you so much !

– Bencori – 2012-10-08T11:03:56.447

1

You probably will have the best luck on Bitcoin OTC. It's a service allowing you to trade person-to-person, so you can use any means that someone else will find acceptable.

ThePiachu

Posted 2012-10-08T06:56:43.713

Reputation: 41 594

Great, I like the idea. Thank you for the heads up ! I guess one could easily get scammed though. – Bencori – 2012-10-08T08:56:11.660

@user2021 That's why there is otc rating. Pick your risk wisely based on it. – ThePiachu – 2012-10-08T10:53:31.610

Asked: 2012-10-08T06:56:43.713

Viewed: 9 936 times

Active: 2014-12-15T15:45:28.343