Some friends and I are considering using a bitcoin ATM to do some online shopping. Would it be worth using a bitcoin ATM rather than just an internet exchange site?
What are some advantages and disadvantages to both? Any tips or anything I should know ahead of time before using an ATM?
Thanks in advance!
A couple of things...
What country are you in? It's a useful detail
In the UK, ATM operation is far more relaxed and an easier business to run than in somewhere such as the USA.
As an ATM operator we find that many of our customers love using them for ease, simplicity and anonymity.
Also, a number of our customers are not as tech savvy as say the forum users here that decry using one. Remember, not everyone is as competent as you (*looks around the forum.....)
Some people see/hear of BTC and rather than "risk" (in the their eyes) the wild west frontier of Exchanges (which get a bad rap due to things like Gox and Finex) they see ATM's as a Safe option in their world.
So, yes, ATM's definitely have their place in the world of BTC and they're growing in number for a reason, people WANT to use them, simple.
Fee's can be high with some yes so it pay's to shop around, but then convenience comes at a cost in most markets and in this Bitcoin ATM's are no different.
Hope that helps.
Viz