Interested in starting a legitimate escrow service - Need your input

[Teutates]

Hello all,

I am interested in starting an escrow business in relation to bitcoin. My current idea stands at -

1. Develop a trustworthy business identity and provide individuals with the safety and security that I feel I can lend to bitcoin.

2. Allow sellers and buyers to have a way to communicate with me over phone or online through something like skype.

3. Accept bitcoin from buyers and allow sellers to send me packages that can be inspected and then forwarded on.

4. ?

5. Make a marginal profit and help others see bitcoin as a trustworthy transaction device that can be used reliably.

One of the major stumbling points I see is in developing the persona and instilling trust and faith. Being a complete new comer to the bitcoin scene; but highly interested in the project. How does one simple step up and say "Trust me with some bitcoin and see what happens."?

So I ask you; what sort of safety net would YOU like to see in your transactions with bitcoin? Do you desire swift voice communication or a reliable method of online communication? What would make you more apt to place faith in an online bitcoin escrow service and how would you like the business to be run?

If I may, I would like to ask all of you to comment on how I could build the absolute best online bitcoin escrow service and how it could best function to enhance your bitcoin experience. Simply tell me what YOU want to see; and I will do what I can to build this service.

About me -

Currently a computer programmer and former member of the Military in the U.S.
Highly interested in developing a bitcoin related business.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[bbit]

PM sent ! 

[NilamDoc]

I can help you in developing a bitcoin escrow service as I have implemented similar service for my site.

[gnu]

For online communication other than Skype, you might want to look at encrypted XMPP (jabber) or www.webrtc.org. Both allowed encrypted voip.

Bitcoin escrow is going to be hard. Gavin had a little escrow service (Clear Coin) at one point, but I believe stopped it to concentrate on core development. His planned solution was to have both parties agree to have the bitcoin donated to a 3rd party charity if one of the escrow parties failed to follow through.

It's a tough problem you're trying to solve. But if you can crack it, the rewards will be probably be good. It seems like a needed service.

[FirstCitizen]

I would be concerned about the legal implications of being sent and then remailing possibly illegal goods.

And the cost involved of possibly shipping internationally.

If you could somehow set up a series of nodes around the world affiliated with your service the shipping costs could be significantly reduced but this sounds very hard...

[cheesylard]

Do you know anything about http://thrucoin.com/?

[xisnotx]

you hiring?

as for your questions, integrated third party skype inspections of goods.

[Teutates]

I appreciate every ones feedback and the messages I got in private. I think I am going to start a digital only bitcoin escrow service to cut my teeth on the whole thing. Expect something within the next few weeks all. I hope I can be an asset to the community in some form or another.

Thank you,
Teutates