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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.

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  • so, you receive bitcoins first?!
    – vi.su.
    Commented Feb 16, 2013 at 9:43
  • 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'.
    Commented Feb 16, 2013 at 14:58
  • 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
    Commented Feb 16, 2013 at 18:23
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    @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
    Commented Feb 16, 2013 at 18:24
  • 1
    Related question: How do I buy Bitcoins safely face-to-face
    – Murch ♦
    Commented Sep 12, 2013 at 13:56

2 Answers 2

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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.

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LocalBitcoins use escrow, so you will be safe.

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  • 4
    You could improve the answer by adding some more detail. Is escrow always enabled? How does it work?
    – D.H.
    Commented Feb 16, 2013 at 19:03

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