Bitcoin Forum

I am a trained artist from the united states. I am interested in selling some my fine art and custom work.

My normal sale is more or less this:

1. somebody wants work done/purchased
2. I send pics or samples
3. receive half of money
4. I complete piece or send it
5. receive last half of pay

Reading up on things it seems like there is a lot to know and look out for. I was wondering if anybody could give me a heads up on what a transaction like this should look like or what I might want to look out for before I go posting goods? I know enough to not give my private key, I have a small amount of Bitcoin in a wallet but I am unfamiliar with any escrow services - if that helps place my limited knowledge.

any help would be appreciated  ::)

Check the board for trading Goods- https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=51.0

The process is simple. You can display/offer your service in that board. If someone is interested, you can sell your works for Bitcoin here. Since you are newbie, no one will go first of course. You either have to go first if the other party is trusted enough or the best is- using escrow. Escrow will hold the BTC; upon receiving the ordered items, buyer will release the escrow fund.
List of recommended escrow- https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2439910.0
Always try to use forum PM system, otherwise, you may end up being scammed by impersonator if you use other channel for communication.

Just to add what RapTar posted, since your account is a Newbie, you are required to send first if the buyer is trusted (i.e. have been actively dealing with little problems).

On the other hand if the buyer is another Newbie, always go for an escrow. It's not worth losing any item for a fast deal.

It is difficult to trust a newbie (with no history & vouches,) especially since you want to send pictures to prove that you want to send some physical products/goods.
Are you ready to prove your identity? Send your personal docs? Sending products first to trusted members?
Check this board^[1] to know the trusted people, how you can trusted them and how it can work.

[1] https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=217.0
[2] https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2022902.0

We know that trust is the most important thing in trading. But is it a good idea to expose a lot of your personal information here? even though to prove yourself. It will be a important decision for anyone. But without sending documents to prove myself, I'm afraid this service will hardly work because it lacks trust. OP should think carefully.

Sorry to disturbe but I am having a few questions:

1. Docs? You mean like, personal ID or passport? Will you? Will the escrow send it also?

2. It is there anyone from the list that will accept to receive physical goods? If not, how the system will work :/ I mean the buyer can say any information about not receiving the product, at best when it is a physical product.

3. What about digital products? How someone can hold something that is reversible at any given time!? Why it is legal here on the forum to sell KYC products?

1) Yeah, those Know Your Customer (KYC) ones.

2) There are demands, especially electronics and metals such as gold. That's why an escrow is recommended, so the lender can't BS about not receiving the item(s).

3) For things like accounts, there's no fool-proof way unless the owner fully relinquishes his/ her rights to it with proofs. But for things like gift cards, there's no way to reverse.

OP, being a newbie, I would suggest the following -
1. Purchase a copper membership, for posting pics of your artwork. You can purchase it here - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=credit;promote
2. If you are offering a custom art service, you can post it here - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=52.0. If you are planning to sell your artworks/goods/collectibles, post it here - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=51.0
3. Since you are a newbie, almost noone will pay you half the payment upfront. Use a trusted forum escrow while making deals, you can find the trusted escrow list here - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2439910.0. The reputed escrows will help you further in the transactions.
4. Make sure to deliver the service/goods on time and in good condition, so that you could gain your reputation in the forum.
Good luck.

If someone is interested in your art ask them to send the agreed fee to an escrow. You can use the links that were posted above by other members to find a list of trusted escrow agents.
Alternatively, you can try out DireWolfM14's free escrow service, if he is still offering it > https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5201269.0

Protect yourself and your funds at all times and follow the guidelines and recommendations.

Sounds like normal stuffs.

Thanks for all the help and links!  :P

Not totally newbie is required send first at all. It depends on situation but common practice is to have escrow rather than involve on escrowless transaction here no matter how reputable the person you are going to transact. I get what OP terms since I involve in too many business transaction including this one. Many customer are dodging to paid the arrist once he didn't want the outcome.

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@OP. Try to send me sample of your art and maybe I can help you to market it at the right section with right buyer.  ;)

Well, last time when I sold a gift card (not on this forum), I'd to send over first as the buyer was reputable.

You can sell your work for bitcoin the same way you sell your work for any other valuable currency. You can come to an agreement with your buyer as to the terms of any sale, but keep in mind that if the terms are too risky (too high of risk of fraud) for the buyer, he won’t agree to the terms, and if the terms are too risky for you, logically you will not agree. If there is a person who both you and your buyer trust, this person can guarantee performance of any agreement, usually by holding the price of what you are selling until certain conditions are met, typically delivering what you are selling.

I don’t think it is realistic to obtain half the price of your art up front because of the risk you will abscond with the money without delivering the art. You are free to negotiate terms with any potential buyer.

Because you are new, it is very difficult for you to gain trust from people. A question arises if you take half of the deposit and then disappear, where will people find you.
It is best to build your reputation or at least inform people about your personal information before offering any services.
After you have done all that you can advertise your service here: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=51.0
If anyone is interested in your service they will contact you.

Yes, this place can be ruthless for beginners.
Remain honest and true to your principles and it's going to be OK.

If you advertise your design service, you should most likely state that you accept escrow as it has been advised to you in this thread.
This completely takes out a large chunk of risk to your customer. (like the one of you disapearing / never completing the work)

You should also make your portfolio / art book public. If I understand correctly, you do both digital and physical art ?
List what you did, so people can know your style and what to expect. :)

Personally I am very interested in seeing the kind of BTC art you make !

Good luck to you OP.
Farewell !

Seems like a great community here and thanks for all the tips. I feel like escrow is a nice way to go, especially since the fees seem small. Comparable to credit card companies I use now so why not.

As far as putting up a portfolio. I have my clear net portfolio site so to speak. Would certainly break any anonymity as the domain is registered to my real name.

Any ideas on that? I mean I do not see much of a risk in that. I am just selling art and design services but then again I am still pretty green.

CC companies are not bad if we discount their fees. In the matter of dispute, they're quicker and more efficient in handling matters. Meanwhile, escrows take longer since they're not always online.

Meanwhile you can actually purchase domain privacy (a.k.a WHOIS privacy) for around a tenner per year. It's an addon through your domain host, and masks all personal information when people search yours up.

Taking notes.

I think the game plan is to make some small items the next couple of days - host pics through imgur and post some links for now.
- Hang out and try to build some merit or coin to get a proper post here in the right thread.


Thanks again for all the help. Looking forward to helping out the community if I can!

Sometimes I do that too but only when the the value of the item that we are dealing is cheap and I can afford to lose. But if it's valuable like casascius coin then I will not send first no matter
how reputable he was. Better to use escrow and pay extra fee rather than take the risk for escrowless transaction.  ;)



the photo will not gonna display in your post since you are newbie. Only link to the photo will appear. You can request for other high rank user here to quote your post or
avail copper member if you are planning your business here for long run.

Goodluck and I will definitely wait your design!  :D

TIL a physical Bitcoin exists? And it starts from 1 BTC up to 1K.

And yes, I'll definitely use escrow on that one! :D

If you have some time check out the "sample and feedback" thread I started and feel free to let me know what you think.

Hopefully enough comments will get me honed in on tastes.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5218567.msg53635657#msg53635657 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5218567.msg53635657#msg53635657)

I don't know why people are recommending you buy a copper account. This is not the place to sell art. I know you know that but some people can't read. Also... There is no reason to give anyone certain personal details. The only thing you need to give is your address and full name to the people you have your domain and website for. You don't need ID I don't know why people said that. They don't know what they are talking about. I promise you that knowing who someone is means nothing. A scammer will scan even if you know where they live. They just don't care.

Run your own website and you can use escrow or ask half and half like you already do. Nothing will change but your payment method. Where to advertise art I have no idea.

They do so because CM allows a Newbie to actually post images rather than the image URL.

Rather than waiting for their first Merit (which they might not even be aware of its purpose) and the amount of eligible Activity.