Bitcoin Forum

Just curious about how we go from zeros to heroes here in the bitcoin world. No one seems to want to even talk about any sort of transaction with a new member. I'd love to do some p2p trades (and not just BTC-e), but it's almost impossible to get started here. I've tried offering items out of my Ebay/Etsy shop, offered business verified paypal, offered cash in the mail, etc. Not a single nibble.


How did you get started with your rep? Any tips for us newcomers?

It's not entirely clear what you are trying to do here.

Can you rephrase the question?

Sorry, i didn't realize it was unclear. I'm simply trying to build a rep on my nick for the WOT, or here on the forums so that i may buy/sell/trade in the future without the hassles i'm experiencing now. Every one had to get their start some way, i'm asking for some tips to work towards getting a positive reputation.

I still am not sure what the problem is.... if you have something to sell, sell it!

Offer it for sale, describe it well, be verifiable with a phone number and street address and agree to take calls.

I guess my point just isn't getting across.

Participate, get to know people.  Someone's gonna have to take a risk with you, and they'll probably want every security measure available to protect themselves from a scam.

With that said, if you're willing to do some trading, use escrow.  Some members here offer the service for a tip.  That way you can start building rep, and believe me, there's no shortage of people here who will thank you for your business.

Furthermore, there are always members who pretend to be nice folk, then around the 100-200 post mark, suddenly want a loan.  So expect to be here for a while before anyone really starts trusting you.

But really, just be nice, and people will be nice back  ;D  Well, within reason.

Thanks! I've offered escrow and such, but no takers. I guess i'll have to just sit on my thumbs and wait.

haha zeros to heroes :D:D:

Just noticed someone named sturles has an offer for 1btc to help get rating for new traders on bitcoin-otc. i'm going to buy a few off of him, as soon as i figure out how to setup all the prereqs. That's one step forward!

It's hard to gain rep here when you just started and people aren't going to take risks with newcomers.

I believe you have a good point.  Even if you're the most reputable person on the board, people still aren't going to buy what they don't want.  The rep just helps ease their mind.

Sometimes people just aren't in the market for what you're selling. Not a whole lot that can be done about that. Like snapsunny said, using escrow helps in the first trades when people do become interested. I did my first trade here with less than 50 posts without a problem since I used escrow (good communication helps too, of course).

Many people here also look at your contributions to the forum. Members with good input to forum discussions are easier to trust than people with short posts, off-topic posts, or posts that are just too casual. There's nothing wrong with casual conversation, but people who put in time and effort into improving the Bitcoin community will have an easier time trading successfully with one another.

Newbies don't have reputation for the same reason you don't use eggs to make those delicious chicken mc nuggets. I'm loving them.

Starting with cash-in-mail is...not going to happen, as far as I know. Highest-risk transaction I can think of.
Are you going through a third party (bitmit, etc?) it helps.
And of course, there's the issue of bitcoin users being disproportionately male, so the market for what you're selling (assuming your Etsy page is representative) is automatically smaller.
Best of luck.

Seeking to build rep is a mark of a scammer.  Normal people want to buy and sell goods and services.  Just do that, in small amounts at first, and every successful trade will earn you a bit of trust from whoever you trade with.  Earning a reputation takes a huge amount of time, and it can be lost in an instant.  Focus on the trades you want to make or the services you'd like to use/provide.  If you're an honest person trust will take care of itself.

Thanks for this. I just performed my first BTC buy via p2p on bitcoin-otc, so im working towards the very thing you mention! I have bought and traded on btc-e.com in the past.

Also, i wasn't talking just selling the things i have (my Etsy sales are doing really well), i was just talking about doing any transaction. I'm looking to buy some LTC and BTC and it's like pulling teeth! Looks like slow and steady wins this race, so thank you all for the helpful tips!

Check this out http://bitcoinsbs.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/establishing-trust/

Don't try to buy from individuals.  Use an exchange or a service.

coinbase.com
bitinstant.com
mtgox.com

You will have to jump through some hoops.  It is important that you jump through them, especially if you are concerned about building trust and a reputation.

Have you tried https://localbitcoins.com?  I sell locally for cash through them fairly often.

The only people that talk about rep are scammers.  A good trader simple needs put a link in his sig and most people on the forum will know the name anyways.

You're an idiot.

To everyone else - thanks!