A Phuket villa owner agrees to accept bitcoin, how do I proceed

[Slark]

There are several escrow services over in the services section. Check their reputation. Guys like quickseller and sebastionJu have been around forever and are known well, respected and trusted across the community. I have never needed to use escrow but I would consider using escrow provided by a user I have seen around the forums and who has good reputation like either the 2 guys mentioned. Keep in mind there's always people with beefs that can hand out negative trust unjustly. You must do your research well !

If the villa owner will take escrow, do that. Seeing as he has led you away from the air bnb platform, you could get into trouble.
Always have a plan b. Have fun. It'll be HOT, and Thailand is dirty and poor, but you'll never forget it

How could anyone trust some anonyme forum user on a forum where kids buy and sell accounts? I would never trust anyone here and i doubt some random merchant would do it.

I want to be able to check the background before i trust someone and in the case of bitcoin without chargeback i would need some security before the escrow got a single satoshi.

I think you have the point there. I see now that full transparency of escrowing is needed. And I would like to know my escrow well.
I am afraid however that bitcoin society is fixated about anonymity being a 1st law so I doubt if many escrows will provide full ID, address and other valid information.
There is other side of the coin too, that escrow might be targeted IRL if his full ID is widely known. It is hard to chose good answer here.

[Kprawn]

Well, why not arrange with him to make a deposit and not the full amount in credit card payment or PayPal and then when you arrive there, do the rest of the transaction in Bitcoin?

That way, you have the best of both worlds... and you would not have the need for a escrow. You also reduce your risk to possibly loose all the money.

While you are there, you could assist the people with all the best resources about Bitcoin, to educate them.   We need to warn people about the scams and the risks.

If they get burned once, they would not accept Bitcoin as a payment method again.

[countryfree]

I'd be surprised if the owner accepts an escrow. When I was doing it, I was asking for a 30% deposit telling the customer I would keep that money even in case of a no-show. That's the cancellation fee, and there's nothing wrong with it. Everybody's asking for one in Europe.

Don't worry about airport pickups, you just need to settle the price with the cab driver before you get in his car.

[BillyBobZorton]

You should have probably thought about using a trusted escrow before trying to work out the deal (but perhaps that is now too late).

This is actually where Bitcoin *sucks* for spenders. My advice would be not to pay the BTC until you actually arrive at the venue but quite likely the provider will not want to do that (and you won't know if they will even then have a suitable room for you).

So assuming they won't agree to an escrow and you don't want to trust them I'd have to say "use a credit card" or "paypal" (at least those can be reversed).

Also - best to get a "pick up" from the airport as the "so-called taxis" are the biggest ripoff there (you will get burned with that - having been there myself I know).

Bitcoin will stop sucking in regards to spenders once we finally get fully functioning decentralized 0 trust escrows. We need this really soon so we can stop scammers. Soon being a escrow will be yet another automated job thanks to technology.

[ransomer]

You should have probably thought about using a trusted escrow before trying to work out the deal (but perhaps that is now too late).

This is actually where Bitcoin *sucks* for spenders. My advice would be not to pay the BTC until you actually arrive at the venue but quite likely the provider will not want to do that (and you won't know if they will even then have a suitable room for you).

So assuming they won't agree to an escrow and you don't want to trust them I'd have to say "use a credit card" or "paypal" (at least those can be reversed).

Also - best to get a "pick up" from the airport as the "so-called taxis" are the biggest ripoff there (you will get burned with that - having been there myself I know).

Bitcoin will stop sucking in regards to spenders once we finally get fully functioning decentralized 0 trust escrows. We need this really soon so we can stop scammers. Soon being a escrow will be yet another automated job thanks to technology.

Sounds like a good idea... strange this hasn't been put into place yet. Because currently 'risk' is the no. 1 reason bitcoin is not used more. Risk of transaction (irreversability being a really bad thing - except of course for criminals, drug traders, rebels, militia..), and risk of storing wealth (hacking etc.).

[achow101]

You should have probably thought about using a trusted escrow before trying to work out the deal (but perhaps that is now too late).

This is actually where Bitcoin *sucks* for spenders. My advice would be not to pay the BTC until you actually arrive at the venue but quite likely the provider will not want to do that (and you won't know if they will even then have a suitable room for you).

So assuming they won't agree to an escrow and you don't want to trust them I'd have to say "use a credit card" or "paypal" (at least those can be reversed).

Also - best to get a "pick up" from the airport as the "so-called taxis" are the biggest ripoff there (you will get burned with that - having been there myself I know).

Bitcoin will stop sucking in regards to spenders once we finally get fully functioning decentralized 0 trust escrows. We need this really soon so we can stop scammers. Soon being a escrow will be yet another automated job thanks to technology.

While that would be great, how would such a thing be possible? A zero trust escrow in itself is contradictory since an escrow is a trusted person who holds money or goods for a trade. Escrow means that you need to trust someone. How would an automated 0 trust escrow work?

[Possum577]

You should have probably thought about using a trusted escrow before trying to work out the deal (but perhaps that is now too late).

This is actually where Bitcoin *sucks* for spenders. My advice would be not to pay the BTC until you actually arrive at the venue but quite likely the provider will not want to do that (and you won't know if they will even then have a suitable room for you).

So assuming they won't agree to an escrow and you don't want to trust them I'd have to say "use a credit card" or "paypal" (at least those can be reversed).

Also - best to get a "pick up" from the airport as the "so-called taxis" are the biggest ripoff there (you will get burned with that).

1. It's not too late, I still hold my coins.
2. Actually, down payment is a reasonable and I am not against it.
3. We have credit cards to do the job.
4. Paypal take 4% commission? not sure
5. I will try to talk him into using an escrow service here in the forum?
6. Where can I find the trusted escrows?

Finally, thanks for the Taxi tips and I think we are going to use the pickup service .

Regarding PayPal if the payment type you select is "Send money to friends and family" they won't charge you a fee. This is how you can avoid the 4% you quoted.

CIYAM's advice on escrow is a great idea, refer him to one of the escrow providers here - that way if something gets messed up there's literally a "forum" for him to complain if things go sour. Maybe CIYAM would offer escrow?!?!

[hl5460]

Thanks all for the tips and advice.
I decided to trust him.
I just sent him 1.41 btc as down payment.

https://blockchain.info/address/1E7nVbLQc6Fu39MEzHE7WMWwcTL1ysgPci

[ajareselde]

Thanks all for the tips and advice.
I decided to trust him.
I just sent him 1.41 btc as down payment.
https://blockchain.info/address/1E7nVbLQc6Fu39MEzHE7WMWwcTL1ysgPci

So even after all the talk and advices on escrow, in the end you just sent him the money straight up anyways ?
Well, if he is running a legitimate bussines, i guess he has no incentive to scam you and risk his reputation to be trashed amung other clients.
Let's just hope it turns out well.

cheers

[CIYAM]

Don't worry about airport pickups, you just need to settle the price with the cab driver before you get in his car.

You won't leave the airport unless you agree to a very high price (such as 10x what you'd pay in Bangkok) if you go about it that way (they are not at all "desperate for your business" as there are far more "arriving suckers" than there are taxis on the island).

[hl5460]

Thanks all for the tips and advice.
I decided to trust him.
I just sent him 1.41 btc as down payment.
https://blockchain.info/address/1E7nVbLQc6Fu39MEzHE7WMWwcTL1ysgPci

So even after all the talk and advices on escrow, in the end you just sent him the money straight up anyways ?
Well, if he is running a legitimate bussines, i guess he has no incentive to scam you and risk his reputation to be trashed amung other clients.
Let's just hope it turns out well.

cheers

Escrow could be too complicated for a beginner and I don't want to ruin the user experience.

And he seems to be trustworthy to me, just like you said.

[hl5460]

Don't worry about airport pickups, you just need to settle the price with the cab driver before you get in his car.

You won't leave the airport unless you agree to a very high price (such as 10x what you'd pay in Bangkok) if you go about it that way (they are not at all "desperate for your business" as there are far more "arriving suckers" than there are taxis on the island).

Thanks again, will book the pickup taxi service offered by owner.

[CIYAM]

Thanks again, will book the pickup taxi service offered by owner.

From memory I ended up paying at least 300 baht for a 5 min. journey (in Bangkok a 10 min. journey at the time would have been only 60 baht thus my estimate of paying 10x as much) because of not organising anything (expecting I'd be able to get a taxi that would use a meter - for a start they have no taxis with meters on the island at all and good luck trying to bargain with them).

So unless the pickup service is more than 300 baht then I would think you'd be better off to take that (prices may have increased since I was there in 2012 of course).

Also to save money getting around I'd recommend hiring a motor scooter (assuming you know how to ride one).

[meono]

Make the initial payment with paypal or something cash related and make the remaining payment after reaching there and staying with bitcoins. It will protect you . However i am sure should be safe sending bitcoin too as long as that villa owner is reputed on airbnb.

Yes, that's right. He got good ratings on airbnb and I think he is unlikely to deny the transaction.

Is it possible for blockchain to host a credit rating system for every user?

Dafug? You're not a newbie and you're asking this question?

Holy moauh yeah low mah!

[Hopalong]

Thanks all for the tips and advice.
I decided to trust him.
I just sent him 1.41 btc as down payment.
https://blockchain.info/address/1E7nVbLQc6Fu39MEzHE7WMWwcTL1ysgPci

So even after all the talk and advices on escrow, in the end you just sent him the money straight up anyways ?
Well, if he is running a legitimate bussines, i guess he has no incentive to scam you and risk his reputation to be trashed amung other clients.
Let's just hope it turns out well.

cheers

Escrow could be too complicated for a beginner and I don't want to ruin the user experience.

And he seems to be trustworthy to me, just like you said.

As i see it he is probably just as trustworthy as any escrow you can find. If you are able to find an escrow anywhere...

[countryfree]

Don't worry about airport pickups, you just need to settle the price with the cab driver before you get in his car.

You won't leave the airport unless you agree to a very high price (such as 10x what you'd pay in Bangkok) if you go about it that way (they are not at all "desperate for your business" as there are far more "arriving suckers" than there are taxis on the island).

When were you there?
I've been to Bangkok 15 times without any trouble with a taxi at the airport. There are also trains and buses if you prefer. I've used them both, but it depends where you want to go next. Anyway 300 baht is very cheap (that's $10). You'd pay double or triple that anywhere in Europe. I can't remember how much I've paid though, but I would remember if it were big money.

[Meuh6879]

his concern was that since bitcoin tx is not reversible, how can I protect my interest, what if this guy runaway

You can't.

That why, at the beginning, Bitcoin transaction is TRUST.
Don't buy online with an unknown seller ... 1st rules.

[dollarneed]

Thanks all for the tips and advice.
I decided to trust him.
I just sent him 1.41 btc as down payment.
https://blockchain.info/address/1E7nVbLQc6Fu39MEzHE7WMWwcTL1ysgPci

So even after all the talk and advices on escrow, in the end you just sent him the money straight up anyways ?
Well, if he is running a legitimate bussines, i guess he has no incentive to scam you and risk his reputation to be trashed amung other clients.
Let's just hope it turns out well.

cheers

Escrow could be too complicated for a beginner and I don't want to ruin the user experience.

And he seems to be trustworthy to me, just like you said.

I think if that guy is a owner of course he wont ripped you
because its caused his reputation going bad
by the nice info and i have a plan to take some holiday in thailand
iam waiting for your testimonial

[CIYAM]

When were you there?
I've been to Bangkok 15 times without any trouble with a taxi at the airport. There are also trains and buses if you prefer. I've used them both, but it depends where you want to go next. Anyway 300 baht is very cheap (that's $10). You'd pay double or triple that anywhere in Europe. I can't remember how much I've paid though, but I would remember if it were big money.

I (and the OP) am referring to Phuket (not Bangkok) airport and certainly back in 2012 there were no "metered" taxis on Phuket island (yes of course Bangkok is very straight forward and you have a few choices).

As I stated the prices may well have gone up quite a bit in the last few years but if the situation hasn't changed a lot then you can probably still expect to pay 10x as much going from Phuket airport to your accommodation as you would in Bangkok.

[countryfree]

When were you there?
I've been to Bangkok 15 times without any trouble with a taxi at the airport. There are also trains and buses if you prefer. I've used them both, but it depends where you want to go next. Anyway 300 baht is very cheap (that's $10). You'd pay double or triple that anywhere in Europe. I can't remember how much I've paid though, but I would remember if it were big money.

I (and the OP) am referring to Phuket (not Bangkok) airport and certainly back in 2012 there were no "metered" taxis on Phuket island (yes of course Bangkok is very straight forward and you have a few choices).

As I stated the prices may well have gone up quite a bit in the last few years but if the situation hasn't changed a lot then you can probably still expect to pay 10x as much going from Phuket airport to your accommodation as you would in Bangkok.

Oh, yeah Phuket, I'm very sorry! I got into this topic understanding it was about Thailand, and forgetting that actually it was in Phuket. Quite far from the Thailand I know. I've only been in Bangkok, Pattaya and around the gulf. Forget what I wrote earlier.
Still, 300 baht isn't big money.