Silk Road forums

Discussion => Silk Road discussion => Topic started by: DiamondHeart on January 05, 2013, 06:33 am

Title: Quick Question from Noob (I have read the First Time thread to no avail)
Post by: DiamondHeart on January 05, 2013, 06:33 am
Can someone please tell me what FE means? In the chemical world, it means iron, but I don't think that's what it means here. Sorry if it's a stupid question, but I have looked high and low.
Title: Re: Quick Question from Noob (I have read the First Time thread to no avail)
Post by: CapnJack on January 05, 2013, 06:46 am
It means finalizing early.  Even if you are a new buyer NEVER do this.  I learned the hard way when I was a new buyer.  Basically if you Finalize Early and the vendor never ships, you are shit out of luck and can never get your money back.
Title: Re: Quick Question from Noob (I have read the First Time thread to no avail)
Post by: ForTehLulz on January 05, 2013, 08:29 am
Yes, it means finalize early in the sense that when you make your purchase, if you were to finalize early, you'd be releasing your funds from escrow and the vendor would then obtain them. This is essentially losing protection from getting scammed, or gettinghelp if your order doesn't arrive, etc. It is strongly suggested that you not FE even though some vendors might insist on this.
Title: Re: Quick Question from Noob (I have read the First Time thread to no avail)
Post by: DiamondHeart on January 06, 2013, 02:10 pm
What if they have excellent feedback and have been around a while?
Title: Re: Quick Question from Noob (I have read the First Time thread to no avail)
Post by: Jopular on January 06, 2013, 02:17 pm
What if they have excellent feedback and have been around a while?

Then it is a risk you have to be prepared to take.

The best vendors do not require FE.
If you have a zero transaction history though then even these good vendors might ask you to FE to make sure that you are capable of answering PM's and to get a feel for how serious a buyer you are.

I had to FE on my first couple of transactions but after this most vendors don't need it.
The odd occasion I have still had to FE as per the vendors policy on their info page. But in this case I still have the option of leaving bad feedback if the package is not up to scratch or does not come. (This has never happened yet though.)

If you have to FE just make sure the vendor has excellent 100% feedback and has been around for a bare minimum of 3 months. Research their name on the Rumour mill and make sure everything feels right first before ordering.
Make small orders 1st.
Title: Re: Quick Question from Noob (I have read the First Time thread to no avail)
Post by: SelfSovereignty on January 06, 2013, 02:28 pm
What if they have excellent feedback and have been around a while?

Then it is a risk you have to be prepared to take.

The best vendors do not require FE.
If you have a zero transaction history though then even these good vendors might ask you to FE to make sure that you are capable of answering PM's and to get a feel for how serious a buyer you are.

I had to FE on my first couple of transactions but after this most vendors don't need it.
The odd occasion I have still had to FE as per the vendors policy on their info page. But in this case I still have the option of leaving bad feedback if the package is not up to scratch or does not come. (This has never happened yet though.)

If you have to FE just make sure the vendor has excellent 100% feedback and has been around for a bare minimum of 3 months. Research their name on the Rumour mill and make sure everything feels right first before ordering.
Make small orders 1st.

Good advice here.  Never trust the feedback on the site.  Always check the forum and decide after doing a search for their name.  Also, I FE'd twice when I was new... first and third transactions required it.  I'm not sure if I'm recommending it or not, just trying to give some perspective I guess: it isn't *that* crazy to FE when you've got no stats to back up your honesty.
Title: Re: Quick Question from Noob (I have read the First Time thread to no avail)
Post by: DiamondHeart on January 06, 2013, 02:33 pm
Thank you all very much! I will definitely be checking out the rumour mill.

One more thing:

Does anybody have a preferred way to get Bit Coins? I have done some research, and Blue Sky Traders looks to be legit, but I have to drive quite a ways to get to a B of A. Any help would be much appreciated.
Title: Re: Quick Question from Noob (I have read the First Time thread to no avail)
Post by: Jopular on January 06, 2013, 02:38 pm
Thank you all very much! I will definitely be checking out the rumour mill.

One more thing:

Does anybody have a preferred way to get Bit Coins? I have done some research, and Blue Sky Traders looks to be legit, but I have to drive quite a ways to get to a B of A. Any help would be much appreciated.

Depends on you country.
For UK I can vouch for:
Blockchain.info (fast + easy, not too bad rates)
Mercabit.eu
Bitcoin Fridge (good rates + easy and relatively fast)

local bitcoins might be ok too but I have never tried it.

I'll try and come back here with some links, or you can search on bitcointalk.org

JUST DON'T GET PHISHED.

DO NOT USE ANY OF THE SPAM POST LINKS ON THESE OR ANY OTHER FORUM (easy to spot these I'm sure you know what I mean).

ETA:
http://bitcoinfridge.co.uk
https://bitcointalk.org  -search this forum to help you find and judge legitimacy.
http://mercabit.eu/
https://blockchain.info/
Title: Re: Quick Question from Noob (I have read the First Time thread to no avail)
Post by: SelfSovereignty on January 06, 2013, 02:40 pm
I'll vouch for SugarMama and CaptainMal.  I've never heard bad things about either of them, but bear in mind I get my bitcoins a different way and can't speak for them personally.  I think I've heard good things about Blue Sky Traders, but... less good things, I think, but I don't pay that much attention personally.
Title: Re: Quick Question from Noob (I have read the First Time thread to no avail)
Post by: docmorris on January 06, 2013, 02:43 pm
Thank you all very much! I will definitely be checking out the rumour mill.

One more thing:

Does anybody have a preferred way to get Bit Coins? I have done some research, and Blue Sky Traders looks to be legit, but I have to drive quite a ways to get to a B of A. Any help would be much appreciated.

If you are based in the UK i can definetly vouch for localbitcoins. Just put in your city and country. Look for someone who offers at a realistic price and has got some feedback. Send them a message. Most of the times they will send you a phone number. Than just meet up and buy your coins, and you are good to go :) take your qp code with you as most of them use a mobile to transfer the coins. set up a throw wallet on blockchain or others. I heard good things about strongcoin aswell.

Have fun!

ps. id advice to pm sugar mama on SR if you want to cash in MP or WU for BTC. Shes very nice and helpful!
Title: Re: Quick Question from Noob (I have read the First Time thread to no avail)
Post by: DiamondHeart on January 06, 2013, 03:00 pm
I am in the U.S. Any recommendations?

Also, my friend, I have no idea what MP or WU are.
Title: Re: Quick Question from Noob (I have read the First Time thread to no avail)
Post by: Jopular on January 06, 2013, 03:07 pm
I am in the U.S. Any recommendations?

Also, my friend, I have no idea what MP or WU are.

Western Union, not sure about MP.  Just alternative currencies/payment systems.

I though you guys and gals in the US had it easy with lots of over-the-counter options?
I could be wrong though.
Title: Re: Quick Question from Noob (I have read the First Time thread to no avail)
Post by: SelfSovereignty on January 06, 2013, 03:37 pm
Oh, you're asking *that* -- sorry.  The names I "vouched" for (again, never used them personally) are vendors on Silk Road that will sell you bitcoins in exchange for Moneypaks (MP).  Or you can go through www.bitinstant.com.  Or find somebody to buy from on localbitcoins.com.  People have had some trouble with bitinstant.com lately, FYI.  Nothing that resulted in total loss, but definitely a lot of delays and having to contact their support have been popping up lately.
Title: Re: Quick Question from Noob (I have read the First Time thread to no avail)
Post by: ForTehLulz on January 06, 2013, 09:23 pm
I too have heard very good things about captainmal but cannot speak from personal experience as I've never used him. I used to use mtgox.com but since they stopped accepting bank deposits, I found another source. Now I use localbitcoins.com and it has worked out pretty well.
Title: Re: Quick Question from Noob (I have read the First Time thread to no avail)
Post by: DiamondHeart on January 07, 2013, 05:30 pm
Thank you all for the feedback. How do I get a hold of captain mal or sugar mama to buy bitcoins? Also, is there a way to do it without leaving the house? The whole bitcoin thing is kind of confusing.

Thanks again in advance!
Title: Re: Quick Question from Noob (I have read the First Time thread to no avail)
Post by: ch0sen on January 07, 2013, 05:57 pm
I am pretty sure that their names on the forums are captainmal and sugarmama.  You can just PM them I guess.  I have seen captainmal post numerous times saying he would be more than happy to help.  Just PM him.  (private message)

Title: Re: Quick Question from Noob (I have read the First Time thread to no avail)
Post by: DiamondHeart on January 07, 2013, 06:01 pm
Thanks, Chosen!