I am going to buy bitcoins for the first time from a seller on LocalBitcoins. Please guide me.

6

I am going to buy bitcoins for the first time from a seller on LocalBitcoins. He says that funds can be transferred via internet banking. He seems to have good feedback, 9+ reviews but I am kind of nervous. What exact steps should be followed for a smooth transaction? My plan is:

  1. Send him my wallet address, and then wait for him to transfer the bitcoins.
  2. Upon successful transaction, I send him the required amount through an online bank transaction.
  3. ??
  4. Profit

I hope I am doing this right. Please advise.

Ashwin Singh

Posted 2013-02-16T08:49:18.510

Reputation: 113

so, you receive bitcoins first?!vi.su. 2013-02-16T09:43:08.783

local means local, i.e. hard money changes hands live... if you are going to use banking anyway, you can just use Mt. Gox...o0'. 2013-02-16T14:58:34.743

If he has a reputation and you don't, of course he won't send first. Either you send first, you meet or you use escrow.Meni Rosenfeld 2013-02-16T18:23:22.907

1@Lohoris: Using Mtgox has several issues, the $50 fee for international wire being one of them. A local bank transfer is completely different.Meni Rosenfeld 2013-02-16T18:24:09.943

1

Related question: How do I buy Bitcoins safely face-to-face

Murch 2013-09-12T13:56:02.343

Answers

6

Meet him at a public place and do the exchange using a phone bitcoin-app and cash. Make sure that his reputation is worth more than a possible robbery/scam.

user2936

Posted 2013-02-16T08:49:18.510

Reputation: 96

-1

LocalBitcoins use escrow, so you will be safe.

vishnuchips

Posted 2013-02-16T08:49:18.510

Reputation: 9

4You could improve the answer by adding some more detail. Is escrow always enabled? How does it work?D.H. - bitcoin.se 2013-02-16T19:03:11.533