buying bitcoins in the USA

[MrPiggles]

What is the easiest/simplest method for a noob? Coinbase looks like it takes too long, I'm trying to explain to my friend in the USA.

In the UK we have instant irreversible bank transfers so LBC is pretty good and only a few % over spot usually, what is the fastest, least hassle option in the USA?

[odolvlobo]

Localbitcoins is the fastest. I won't be as cheap as coinbase. Those are really the only good options in the US.

[MrPiggles]

Localbitcoins is the fastest. I won't be as cheap as coinbase. Those are really the only good options in the US.

Ha I checked them both out and thought they were a bit shit.

Damn US banking system, what a dinosaur

[Light]

I would say Coinbase, Bitsimple and LB. Considering you don't like coinbase and LB, you could consider Bitsimple I suppose - I'm pretty sure it's run by DeathandTaxes (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=41048) or at least he has a strong affiliation with it.

[negafen]

Localbitcoins is the fastest. I won't be as cheap as coinbase. Those are really the only good options in the US.

Ha I checked them both out and thought they were a bit shit.

Damn US banking system, what a dinosaur

Coinbase is fast and cheap once you are verified with them.

[MrPiggles]

Localbitcoins is the fastest. I won't be as cheap as coinbase. Those are really the only good options in the US.

Ha I checked them both out and thought they were a bit shit.

Damn US banking system, what a dinosaur

Coinbase is fast and cheap once you are verified with them.

yeah, I think I'll reccomend coinbase. Just seems stupid it takes days.

 How longs verification take?

[Sheldor333]

Localbitcoin is in my opinion fastest, just be sure you find someone credible. Also meet somewhere where you feel safe and use common sense, that is all you need to know.
Wish you all the best with your bicoin purchase.

[bornil267645]

Coinbase

[Razick]

Localbitcoins is the fastest. I won't be as cheap as coinbase. Those are really the only good options in the US.

Ha I checked them both out and thought they were a bit shit.

Damn US banking system, what a dinosaur

Coinbase is fast and cheap once you are verified with them.

The only problems I have are 1) no limit offers (this is a big one) and 2) they only take Visa for instant transactions.

[leex1528]

The only problems I have are 1) no limit offers (this is a big one) and 2) they only take Visa for instant transactions.

Can't do anything about the Visa, but their limit is 50,000 dollars....are you really going to buy more than that???

[btcguys]

coinbase has terrible customer service expect their always online sales team and their ethical standards are questionable as they hedge against price and will cancel your purchase due to "high risk" if they are losing money on BTC order

Check out cryptsy.com much better in US.

[Razick]

The only problems I have are 1) no limit offers (this is a big one) and 2) they only take Visa for instant transactions.

Can't do anything about the Visa, but their limit is 50,000 dollars....are you really going to buy more than that???

A limit offer is setting a price at which you are willing to buy or sell which is different from the actual price. So for example, I could place a limit offer for 1 BTC at $500 and it would not complete until the price is at or below $500. Most exchanges allow this.

[odolvlobo]

The only problems I have are 1) no limit offers (this is a big one) and 2) they only take Visa for instant transactions.

Can't do anything about the Visa, but their limit is 50,000 dollars....are you really going to buy more than that???

A limit offer is setting a price at which you are willing to buy or sell which is different from the actual price. So for example, I could place a limit offer for 1 BTC at $500 and it would not complete until the price is at or below $500. Most exchanges allow this.

Coinbase is not an exchange.

[koshgel]

What is the easiest/simplest method for a noob? Coinbase looks like it takes too long, I'm trying to explain to my friend in the USA.

In the UK we have instant irreversible bank transfers so LBC is pretty good and only a few % over spot usually, what is the fastest, least hassle option in the USA?

A lot of the exchanges will need verification anyway which will take time.

Coinbase is your best bet but localbitcoins and bitstamp work as well.

[redwraith]

Coinbase: Zero problems. Verifiy with them and purchases are instant.  It's only if you're not verified that it takes 3-4 days for the ACH transfer to clear.   

[Razick]

Coinbase: Zero problems. Verifiy with them and purchases are instant.  It's only if you're not verified that it takes 3-4 days for the ACH transfer to clear.   

Yeah, unless you don't have a Visa. Also they don't allow limit offers.

[zedicus]

Coinbase: Zero problems. Verifiy with them and purchases are instant.  It's only if you're not verified that it takes 3-4 days for the ACH transfer to clear.   

Yeah, unless you don't have a Visa. Also they don't allow limit offers.

If you wait 30 days after a BTC purchase then you can use instant purchases with coinbase. The OP was also looking for a way to buy BTC as a newbie and newbies would likely not be so sensitive to price that they will only buy below a certain level (as what would happen with a "limit" order).

[Jamacn]

LakeBTC, it comply with U.S. laws, and cheaper compared to Coinbase

[haploid23]

In the US, the best option is Coinbase or LBC. Coinbase has lower fees, but it's around 4 days from the time you execute the buy order until you receive your btc. You can also throw privacy out the window. Not only do you have to provide ID and verify address, all transactions will show up in your back statement, clearly saying "COINBASE". If you have large volumes, you're at risk of getting your bank account closed (possibly banned), even though coinbase itself fully complies with AML/KYC.

LBC is fairly anonymous as the buyer. The trade off is higher fees, but at least your keep your purchases off the radar so you don't have to worry about filing taxes and such. You get it nearly instantly, depending on if you're able to follow instructions from each individual seller.

LakeBTC, it comply with U.S. laws, and cheaper compared to Coinbase

LakeBTC is nowhere near as established as coinbase. Many smaller exchanges have come and go, so this is the risk of having transactions with a smaller exchange. I've been personally affected by TradeHill going underwater back in the days. Still can't recover my btc back from Jared.

[Nrcewker]

Don't buy bitcoin on coinbase, the fee is too high, even Bitstamp would not rape you like so that.

LakeBTC and Kraken, I think you may choose one from both.

LakeBTC is more convenient and easy to buy and sell, but the fee is not cheap, 0.1%~0.5%(fortunately, it still cheaper than coinbase and bitstamp)
Kraken is more cheaper, but the authentication is very troublesome, compared to all other exchanges.