Bitcoin Forum

All I want is to exchange some experience about BTC exchanges because IMO they appear to be either scam or inefficient.

And that was 5th post, this is 6th. Sorry people wasting time to read this but I haven't invented the rules.

i initally agreed, didn't see the logic in mandating minimum 5 posts in the newbie forum, thought it would just result in me making 5 spam posts, but in reality it was pretty easy to contribute constructive posts and actually halp answer questions

I just found that newbie should make 5 posts before send personal messages.

Consider it time to think before posting. Your idea about a post describing the exchanges as scams is a good example. You will be derided for posting such a topic.
Instead you might want to learn more about how exchanges work, and the various difficulties of working with fiat money.

RodeoX: Do you run an exchange? One of the reasons I decided to get active on the forums was to engage with other exchangers on how they got their exchanges going. I'm interested in making bitcoin and bitcoin-related services popular in Africa.

D'oh!

Thanks for pointing that out to us, cl.
I didn't recall that.
I don't mind those kinds of limitations on n00bs ... does it keep out the riff-raff?
 ???

That seems like a worthy and profitable goal.
No I do not run an exchange. I was only trying to spare a fellow peer from the savagery of the general discussions area. Many, many, people show up there and make one of their first posts about they have determined that bitcoin is a ponzi. Or they ask for a loan, or accuse someone of being a scammer. 
Not saying you. But a blanket statement about exchanges being scams will not be well received. It only takes a little reading and the application of some common sense to see the real scams.

1. Don't "invest" in bitcoin, use it.
2. Don't ask for a loan.
3. Use existing systems. Don't think PayPal will somehow work this time. 
4. Don't "invest" in any bitcoin business without knowing the underwear size of the company principals.

You are right to fear scammers. Where there is money, there are scams. But not everyone is. And the exchanges have less incentive to scam as they are legitimately profitable.

I cannot agree more with this one. Even if you know the size, do not invest anyway. Risk/reward in comparison to simply holding BTC is horrible! There might be some exceptions but spotting those is not easy.

Well, I wasn't exactly destructive either, but am still a newbie, apparently exactly like you.

Thank you Lord (or software piece or moderator, whoever is enforcing the rules).

RodeoX: I admit I come here for entirely practical and selfish reasons: as a customer. I would gladly learn about how exchanges work, not because I care about technicalities of the service that charges me for a service, but because I want to be abreast of information which ones have proven good, what experiences other people have, good or bad. Not to criticize for criticism sake but to be sure I get all the latest information about the scams, or to be assured that my BTCs, here or there, are, to the best of everybody's knowledge, probably safe so far. Later I may get interested in not so entirely selfish things related to Bitcoin.

I have no intention of investing into anything where I don't know guys/girls grandmother personally. I just want to be able to buy and, for a while, keep my BTCs.

cool man. And I think your interest in the African market is spot on. Cell phone payment there is already big.

Cheers   :)

Thanks! In deed mobile payments are big and still have a long way to go. My interest in making bitcoins popular in Africa is inspired by the ability to enable Africans pay and be paid online. Historically, e-commerce sites have been wary of taking payments from a number of African countries. I believe bitcoins have the ability to change that and finally enable Africans to participate in global e-commerce. We'll see.

Sorry, I´m just scoring another post :(