Are bitcoin ATMs worth using?

[esprit985]

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!

[romero121]

It's better to use exchange websites, because according to your requirement as well profit margin you can find the right exchange over the internet. When it comes to bitcoin ATM its really hard to find over all region, as well each card have been provided with limited access based on the issuers.

[shinratensei_]

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!

Checking about your region or the environment, Does there is bitcoin atm in your environment, but I no recommendation to using bitcoin ATM for now, because it's too rarely to find that. the first thing you can do that, check about the available bitcoin atm in your environment.

[OROBTC]

...

Bitcoin ATMs have two "features" lately that I do not much like:

1)  They insist on ID.  The first "BTM" I ever used (in NYC years ago) at that time did not...  I spent ALL the cash in my wallet to buy BTC...

2)  They have gotten VERY EXPENSIVE in my city: 14% !!  Forget it.

Since buying from Circle was no worse (from KYC/AML standpoint), I just switched to them because they are cheap.

I have bought via localbitcoins (cash at a Starbucks), that works well if you actually can meetup.

[rphk]

ATM is not there everywhere , if you want use ATM it should be accessible easily where you do shopping, i believe online shopping is teh best option compared to ATM ,  because online shopping more advantages than ATM  

[helloeverybody]

if you have the internet which everyone does then id say you would be better off just useing coinbase or local bitcoins to buy your bitcoin only due to the high fees that ive heard these atms charge. If i could find an atm myself id probably buy a little bitcoins from them just for the novelty factor but it wouldnt be my main way to get bitcoins. The machines dont seem to be that common anyway though so it not an avenue i can take myself.

[ethereumhunter]

i think the advantages is you don't have to keep your money on your wallet but you just have keep your bitcoin in your bitcoin ATM card. and for the disadvantages is not all country will be available for this bitcoin ATM only a few that i know and this is only small part in over all country. but if in your country is much bitcoin ATM available, then you can try to use bitcoin ATM card and you can tell us how its feel. i'd prefer to keep ATM card rather than keep my money on my wallet because the risk to get stolen is always watching us.

[Vintry Dribbler 1975]

From what I've seen so far it'd be more reliable to purchase your BitCoins via an ATM as opposed to trying to cut a deal online with someone you probably have never met.

At least if its from an ATM and anything goes wrong you have the shop owner to talk to who can give you the ATM owner's number and you can go from there.  I can't say I've heard of any problems with BitCoin ATM's - have a try with a small amount (or their minimum if they have one) and then work out how quickly the transaction is sent via the block chain etc.

I'll be keen to hear how you go.

[NorrisK]

I would avoid the ATMs. The fees are incredibly high.. There are online services that offer the same ease of use, but at lower fees (e.g. bitonic in the Netherlands). You pay a bit higher fees then on exchanges, but you don't have to wire fiat, wait for it to arrive and then put an order. You just buy and get your coins instant.

Another thing that would have me worried is shady people hanging around the ATM and potentially stealing your new bitcoins or following you home knowing you are into bitcoin and hoping to score a bigger stash at your house.

[puremage111]

Yea agree on most of the statement above, ATM fees might be high and on trading platform, we have variety of platform which offer different rates of withdrawal or deposit, it depends

[DaddyMonsi]

I would rather buy Bitcoins in the currency exchange section or any local currency exchange site than travel all the way to place with Bitcoin ATM and whats worse is after travelling hours on the road, spending some money for gasoline, you'll find out that Bitcoin ATM is offline.

[tiggytomb]

I have used an ATM a while ago and the fee was at 10% which is not the greatest, it is extremely quick and easy though, well the one I used was, I was in and out of the shop within minutes which surprised me as I thought it would be a lengthy process.

Circle, Coinbase, Localbitcoins or bitylicious would probably be better options, but if you do have an ATM in your area it would be worth just getting a small bit just to have done it

[Junko]

I would not use a bitcoin atm if you can help it. There are two in my city. The one I have seen/tried to use is owned by a private individual. I know because when I called the service number on the screen it was a guy who said he owned it. Anyway, it wasn't functioning correctly and I was glad I wasn't able to use it because there was an extra 10% fee on top of a crappy exchange rate (I don't remember what it was exactly since it was over a year ago). The guy offered to drive over and do a transaction in person, but I declined, saying I didn't have time to wait around.

[Denker]

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!

When you have an ATM right around your corner it is a nice to have.Especially when you have no bank account or your bank is making trouble when you transfer some of your funds to an Bitcoin exchange.
But the fees these machines have are very often not less than 8-12%.That's theft is you ask me!!
Using an online exchange instead will be much cheaper.Just make sure your bank will not put you into trouble by freezing the transaction or closing your account for a while.

[septian44]

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!

Used an atm bitcoin more practical , i suggest use an agreement before using atm bitcoin payments

[abugseuf]

i think in present time it may not be so much usable as most of the people have no idea about bitcoin . but in future it will be so much important and will have so much value when all the people will be using bitcoin then they will fee the need of ATM for withdrawal of bitcoin from their accounts.

[NorrisK]

i think in present time it may not be so much usable as most of the people have no idea about bitcoin . but in future it will be so much important and will have so much value when all the people will be using bitcoin then they will fee the need of ATM for withdrawal of bitcoin from their accounts.

You forget that we are moving away from physical cash. Bitcoin is fully digital, why does everybody want to return to physical access to their coins again? With bitcoin you don't need an atm anymore! You load your phone with coins and you scan the QR code in the shop.

Bitcoin ATMs are good for getting the word about bitcoin out in the world, but as far as i'm concerned, that's their only real use especially considering the insane fees.

[Btcvilla]

The have charge very high fees and are generally not worth it. They also need you to give them a bunch of information like finger print and ID.

Try buying Bitcoins at a place like Btc-e where they don't need any government documents nor do they report you to the government.

[SAMKUSH]

It's a good place to start if you need bitcoins. It's instant and you do not need to sign up meaning that it is more anonymous than a bitcoin exchange or using something like localbitcoins where you have to upload your ID before you get bitcoins.

[rhino34567]

I have never seen a bitcoin ATM but. If I did I would not trust the company that runs it and the ATM its self.