Bitcoin Forum

Economy => Marketplace => Topic started by: westkybitcoins on April 22, 2012, 07:42:50 PM



Title: Any interest in buying single silver U.S. dimes with BTC?
Post by: westkybitcoins on April 22, 2012, 07:42:50 PM
Well, I'm thinking of selling some silver dimes, and wondering if there would be interest on this forum in buying them.

I'd be selling them at a constant price, 1 silver dime for 1 bitcoin, shipping included, until I ran out, regardless of price fluctuations. Admittedly, this is currently a pretty high price, but the intent (besides selling out of about 50 dimes) would be to give people with just 1 or 2 bitcoins something tangible to easily spend it on.

I notice that Coinabul.com sells old silver coinage, and at prices closer to spot (currently $2.28 for a silver dime,) but you have to buy $1 face value--10 dimes, or some other coin combination--at a current cost of about 5.5btc, and I'm not sure what they charge for shipping. In that light, I really don't think buying 1 or 2 dimes for 1btc each is unreasonable.

So... is there interest? If so I'll probably run with this. (Newbies who haven't been whitelisted can feel free to PM me if they like the idea. To some extent, this is intended for those who are new to bitcoin or just don't have much, and want to buy something small and tangible with it to try it out.)


Title: Re: Any interest in buying single silver U.S. dimes with BTC?
Post by: ShireSilver on April 22, 2012, 10:51:29 PM
I learned the hard way to always use tracking on shipping, which adds to the shipping cost. I know I've had a handful of orders I shipped where I actually took a small loss because the shipping ended up being more than I charge on really small orders.


Title: Re: Any interest in buying single silver U.S. dimes with BTC?
Post by: TECSHARE on April 24, 2012, 03:03:57 AM
1. You are asking too much.
2. Offer the customer optional tracking at their expense, and at their own risk if they choose not to.


Title: Re: Any interest in buying single silver U.S. dimes with BTC?
Post by: Miner612 on April 24, 2012, 04:48:35 AM
I would be interested... not at that price though.


Title: Re: Any interest in buying single silver U.S. dimes with BTC?
Post by: westkybitcoins on April 24, 2012, 09:16:08 PM
Hmm.

I took a look at USPS shipping costs within the U.S. (specifically, from the midwest to Alaska.) I looked at prices for a one ounce letter in a letter-sized envelope "containing a rigid object" (a light cardboard sleeve.)

The cost for first class mailing is $0.65 (goes up to $0.85 for two ounces.)

The cost for proof of deposit (certificate of mailing) is $1.15.

Insurance of $10 (for the rough purchase price of, say two dimes) costs $1.85.

Certified mail, which provides delivery confirmation but not point-to-point tracking, is $2.95.

Express mail, which DOES provided point-to-point tracking, is a flat $18.95.

And the spot price of a silver dime is about $2.25. For two dimes that would be $4.50.

I've rethought this several times over, and while I came up with various options and such to reduce the cost, while still trying to mainly provide for my target market, it got much more complicated than I wanted. Again, I'm not so much trying to provide silver for average bitcoin users as provide a small product for several people with a bitcoin or two who want to spend it on something. I'm only going to be selling a few dozen dimes, not trying to make a business out of this (not right now, at least.)

To that effect...

One silver dime: 1 BTC - includes proof of deposit. Insurance/confirmation/tracking optional, costing extra
Two silver dimes: 2 BTC - includes certified mailing. Insurance/tracking optional, costing extra
Additional dimes: + 0.65 BTC per extra dime, still includes certified mailing

Maximum order size of 10 dimes.
Additional shipping methods and services negotiable upon request. U.S. shipping only.

I'll probably go with all this and make the post on the Goods forum once I get the shipping materials.


Title: Re: Any interest in buying single silver U.S. dimes with BTC?
Post by: eroxors on April 25, 2012, 03:35:54 PM
1. You are asking too much.

This.


Title: Re: Any interest in buying single silver U.S. dimes with BTC?
Post by: ccliu on April 26, 2012, 12:50:35 AM
i personally think selling 1 or 2 is a complete waste of time. Your package wouldnt even weigh anything. Why not sell them in batches of 10 or so, and that way shipping is dissipated and you arent charging $5 for something worth $2