Asking for a signed message

[2342q6tegw]

HI. First off a little context.

I'm getting a lot of interest in my services (Great!) However the reason I gave up freelancing was because people would claim to be interested in hiring me (and have sufficient funds) lead m down a rabbit warren of extensive q&a, only to find out that they didn't have the money. Now bitcoin with the ability to sign and  verify message should allow an easy way to verify people have control of a wallet with enough funds. However people seem reluctant and non forthcoming.

I see two possibilities
1) They are lying and don't have the funds. 2) I'm asking in the wrong manner and they think I'm trying to impersonate them rather than verify they do own the account. So how do you  or would you ask?  Is there any kind of common term used in the crypto community? Please stake your signature? Send a verifiable message to me? Prove ownership?
Escrow is a good solution once an agreement has been made. Although I suppose in the case of a no fee escrow they would only lose the transaction fee. However it seemed to me that it might be too large of an ask at an early stage where I just want proof of funds I can worry about will they pay later (if they don't have the money they won't pay at all) Even if they send the money into escrow and then it gets sent back to them they will lose network transaction fees twice. Staking a signature is free though I used a 0 btc account for my post in the stake signature thread.

I'm not opposed to escrow  at all, in fact I think iot is a vital part, I don't get where that impresison is coming form. I want a signature as well. I staked mine and I'm not a buyer. Yes, I do want a fee, not a service that's why I'm selling not buying.

[saerlingen]

HI. First off a little context.

I'm getting a lot of interest in my services (Great!) However the reason I gave up freelancing was because people would claim to be interested in hiring me (and have sufficient funds) lead m down a rabbit warren of extensive q&a, only to find out that they didn't have the money. Now bitcoin with the ability to sign and  verify message should allow an easy way to verify people have control of a wallet with enough funds. However people seem reluctant and non forthcoming.

I see two possibilities
1) They are lying and don't have the funds. 2) I'm asking in the wrong manner and they think I'm trying to impersonate them rather than verify they do own the account. So how do you  or would you ask?  Is there any kind of common term used in the crypto community? Please stake your signature? Send a verifiable message to me? Prove ownership?

Even if they verify control of sufficient funds, you still have to rely on them actually paying.

Wouldn't an escrow solve your issues? If you don't know the exact cost of your work, then have them escrow a minimum, at the very least, or perhaps even more than eventually required. Escrow could simply return any funds that are in excess.

This way, you know they have at least the amount in escrow, and will have a neutral third party to rely on making the payment.

There are plenty of trusted escrows, even some who don't take a fee.

[Strufmbae]

The only solution and practical way is also in your inquiry.

having an escrow doesn't cost too much money which will be used for payment in the transaction fee,  peer to peer trust doesn't occur in the first place or at the time you have to trust each other, it's either you scam people or people will scam you.

 My point is why don't just get an escrow for safety purpose? It's not a loss if that's what you think.  You will have a smooth deal to other person you want to have a negotiation with if you have trusted escrow. 

Think of it. Are you after the fee or the service? 

[Vod]

I'm getting a lot of interest in my services (Great!) However the reason I gave up freelancing was because people would claim to be interested in hiring me (and have sufficient funds) lead m down a rabbit warren of extensive q&a, only to find out that they didn't have the money. Now bitcoin with the ability to sign and  verify message should allow an easy way to verify people have control of a wallet with enough funds. However people seem reluctant and non forthcoming.

You make an undisputable point.  If I contact you for services and claim I can pay you, why shouldn't you ask for proof?

It takes seconds, and does not cost or harm the person in any way.  If they refuse, chances are they don't have the coin.

[2342q6tegw]

I'm getting a lot of interest in my services (Great!) However the reason I gave up freelancing was because people would claim to be interested in hiring me (and have sufficient funds) lead m down a rabbit warren of extensive q&a, only to find out that they didn't have the money. Now bitcoin with the ability to sign and  verify message should allow an easy way to verify people have control of a wallet with enough funds. However people seem reluctant and non forthcoming.

It takes seconds, and does not cost or harm the person in any way. 

This is what I really like about Bitcoin (and other crypto.) If I was to try and do proof of funds for fiat it is either expensive (accountant/lawyer) or potential harm to the buyer (bad actors can do a lot of damage with your bank statements and they are easy to forge.)

With crypto none of that applies. Even if a scammer downloaded the entire stake my signature thread, they couldn't do anything bad to any of the wallet owners.