can't find locations in California to buy Bitcoin

[dfarns]

I've tried the location finder on cashpayment.com, and it showed a list of about 20 locations in my area.  I tried some of them, Walmart, Albertsons, CVS, a local check cashing business...none of them had any idea what Bitcoin was, nada!  They'd never heard of it.  I went to Walmart and spoke with their customer service desk (where they sell money orders, etc...) and they tried to find it in their computers.  Again, nothing.  I called Walmart at a different time, different shift.  Again, strike two, nada.  When I called Albertson's, I spoke with a manager, but he had no idea what I was talking about.

All I want to do is buy some Bitcoin to pay for something on the internet.  I want to find a location that sells it that can also tell me what the fees are.  Can someone help me with this, it shouldn't be this hard.

Dan

[panda1]

Um, not sure why you are using cashpayment.com or what it has to do with bitcoins. You can't buy bitcoins directly from those places you mentioned. You need to go through a site like bitinstant and then send your payment through one of their listed locations.

[Fjordbit]

You could also find a local seller on http://localbitcoins.com/ . There you would meet with another person and trade.

[BTCOxygen]

I've tried the location finder on cashpayment.com, and it showed a list of about 20 locations in my area.  I tried some of them, Walmart, Albertsons, CVS, a local check cashing business...none of them had any idea what Bitcoin was, nada!  They'd never heard of it.  I went to Walmart and spoke with their customer service desk (where they sell money orders, etc...) and they tried to find it in their computers.  Again, nothing.  I called Walmart at a different time, different shift.  Again, strike two, nada.  When I called Albertson's, I spoke with a manager, but he had no idea what I was talking about.

All I want to do is buy some Bitcoin to pay for something on the internet.  I want to find a location that sells it that can also tell me what the fees are.  Can someone help me with this, it shouldn't be this hard.

Dan

you can use BitInstant.com to buy bitcoin's and pay from a Bank Transfer.

[odolvlobo]

All I want to do is buy some Bitcoin to pay for something on the internet.  I want to find a location that sells it that can also tell me what the fees are.  Can someone help me with this, it shouldn't be this hard.

Unfortunately, it is that hard, but it is getting easier as bitcoin gains more mainstream awareness and companies like BitInstant are being created to address this problem.

[dfarns]

I should have mentioned I want to pay cash for the bitcoins.  I went to the bitinstant website, and it lead me right back to cashpayment.com, which is on their list of agents.  What I don't get is why cashpayment.com would list all these locations and none of the ones I contacted knew anything about cashpayment.com or bitcoins.  This is either gross incompetence, or I'm using the wrong language.  I emailed bitinstant and mentioned the problem, so perhaps they'll answer me and give me a solution.

Walmart was one of the locations listed at cashpayment.com, and they were also mentioned on a different website that also referenced bitinstant.com as the service that made the Walmart connection possible.

I also looked at localbitcoins.com, but the only really close person had a $1000 minimum.  And there were only five persons/businesses listed in my area, a very large city.  There were a few with $20 minimums, but they weren't very close.

Walmart would be perfect, if only I knew how to get them to admit they were really a bitcoin location.

[hamdi]

localbitcoins.com or bitinstant.com

[panda1]

Why are you trying to get the locations to admit they sell bitcoins?  Because they don't.  If you are using bitinstant you are sending cash to bitinstant to trade/convert into bitcoins.  The locations are accepting money on bitinstant's behalf.

[odolvlobo]

I should have mentioned I want to pay cash for the bitcoins.  I went to the bitinstant website, and it lead me right back to cashpayment.com, which is on their list of agents.  What I don't get is why cashpayment.com would list all these locations and none of the ones I contacted knew anything about cashpayment.com or bitcoins.  This is either gross incompetence, or I'm using the wrong language.  I emailed bitinstant and mentioned the problem, so perhaps they'll answer me and give me a solution.

Walmart was one of the locations listed at cashpayment.com, and they were also mentioned on a different website that also referenced bitinstant.com as the service that made the Walmart connection possible.

The reason that Walmart doesn't know anything about ZipZap or cashpayment.com or bitcoin is that the transaction is done at the store using MoneyGram. I don't know how ZipZap is involved, but you will be sending money to BitInstant via MoneyGram.

I have to say that I totally understand where dfarns is coming from. I suggested BitInstant thinking that it is the right solution, but I just went to the website and it is confusing as hell. The site presents you with a transaction page that assumes that you already know how to use it. What they badly need is a series of pages that will walk new customers through the process.

[fishface]

Walmart would be perfect, if only I knew how to get them to admit they were really a bitcoin location.

This is adorable. I mean that in the most non-insulting way possible. I hope you get your bitcoins, friend. There are some good how-to's that will walk you through the process you're attempting, read up on bit instant on the forums

[Arto]

I have to say that I totally understand where dfarns is coming from. I suggested BitInstant thinking that it is the right solution, but I just went to the website and it is confusing as hell. The site presents you with a transaction page that assumes that you already know how to use it. What they badly need is a series of pages that will walk new customers through the process.

There is Lady Bytes's helpful tutorial video: https://vimeo.com/44849463

[RyanRed]

I can say Ive used Bitinstant to buy bitcoins a few times. Its super easy bud. Go to Bitinstant. Choose CVS in the first drop down window. Choose Bitcoin Address in the second. Type in your address. Choose your CVS location. Once you get to the point where the PDF file is generated either right down all the info, or print it out. Head to CVS and look for their moneygram phone. Use the phone and setup the payment. Head to the cashier, and pay them

Im usually in and out in under 5 mins.

[Crookid]

chase bank all over that state as well as BOA and of course wally world

[AndrewBUD]

These Cash places eg. walmart have nothing to do with the actual bitcoins.



They're a means to send the cash to bitinstant so you can get your bitcoins.



I am LOLing so hard picturing a dude running around town trying to buy bitcoins at walmart.....