Beware where you buy your cryptocurrencies NEWBIES

[pinnpe]

http://www.peercointalk.org/index.php?topic=1356

Hmmmm I forgot the places trustworthy
Coinbase.com
Mtgox.com

you can also buy it face to face
https://localbitcoins.com/

NEVER BUY IF SOME 1 OFFERS IT THROUGH PAYPAL

[BapKing]

Is kraken.com safe/worthwhile? Blockchain.info has a link to them, but I'm curious what experience others have with them.

[TrailingComet]

Thanks for the heads-up, very useful

[kokjo]

Mtgox.com

... has not been trustworthy in a long long time.

[ajax3592]

Avoid Mt.Gox at all costs.
Many users have recently had bad experience with them.

[gracesfall]

I've bought dribs and drabs of BTC and some alts off of eBay. It has worked out for me so far - I haven't gotten ripped off, but YMMV.

[TrailingComet]

Is localbitcoins the safest way to buy bitcoins?

[TrailingComet]

and would you guys recommend using Escrow for small purchase amounts also?

[MrWr1TeR]

Kraken is best exchange at the moment. Safe and fast.

I have bad experience with BTC-e lately, Mt.Gox is ok for me so far although withdrawing money takes ages.

[bernanke]

+1 for Kraken. Many trading options, stop loss etc.. Will only get better with higher volume

[Zae]

I've had good experience with bitstamp.net en kraken.com sofar.
Don't leave unused funds on the exchanges move them to your offline wallet if not trading.

[neordicICE]

and would you guys recommend using Escrow for small purchase amounts also?

Yes, especially from someone without positive review/trust