Opprtunity for Local (face-to-face) Exchangers?

[velcrovan]

I've been trading for a month now, can't seem to find any info on this but maybe I missed something obvious.

I'm wondering if there is any opportunity for local exchangers of bitcoin. In other words, registering that, as a local service, I will sell you bitcoin for cash or give you cash for bitcoin in a face-to-face transaction. This would provide anonymity benefits and also save time moving money to Dwolla/MtGox/etc.

Is there an impending need for such a service?

What would be best practice for handling the transaction?

What would be reasonable precautions?

[Maged]

Off the top of my head...

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Ubitex
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Bitcoin.local
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Bitcoin_Map_%28Collaborative_map%29

There may be others.

[Hellobtc]

just wait until http://bitbills.com/ take off 

[extracool]

I setup @BitList https://bit-list.appspot.com with this in mind.

The login uses your twitter account, so that can be an anon as you want it, in addition you disguise your twitter account with a nickname of your choosing.

It lets you create Message Drops on the map. The idea is you enter some hashtags in the description, such as #bitcoin, #bitcoin-trader, #bitcoin-seller or #bitcoin-buyer.

people can find message drops around them, filtering by any tag. so someone would Search for 'bitcoin' and only message drops with #bitcoin in the description would show on the map. With the messages, you can work out an inperson exchange.

Opening a Drop anyone can add a public message to it as well as a private message to it's owner. I need some way to add more virality to it, but it is a little difficult with it's focus on anonymity.


There is also the ubitex.org project.

[Stephen Gornick]

I setup @BitList https://bit-list.appspot.com with this in mind.

That's an interesting approach!  Please consider adding an article to the Bitcoin wiki for BitList.  Then add to the article [[Category:Local]] so that is included in the Local category as well.
  - http://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Category:Local

[extracool]

Thanks Stephen, I'll work on an article for the wiki.