Escrow services

[mmsen]

So, I was planning on making a purchase via an escrow service (probably BTCrow).

Is there anything that I need be particularly wary of?

Are there any other escrow services that people here can recommend?

Thanks in advance.

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[DannyHamilton]

I'm generally willing to use any of the top 5 providers on this list that are available at the time of the transaction:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=276897.0

[mmsen]

Thanks for that list.

I've heard of John K - the others are new to me.

Apparently I have a ton of research to do.

DannyHamilton - can I ask how it is that you're able to offer a free escrow service?

[Flohtaxi]

Check his trust :-)

he will 100% not scam you

[DannyHamilton]

DannyHamilton - can I ask how it is that you're able to offer a free escrow service?

I provide escrow free of charge as a community service for members.  If the volume or complexity of escrow requests becomes overwhelming, I may require a fee in the future. I am assuming the risk of holding the escrowed Bitcoins, and I am using my own time to facilitate this transaction. As such, if it does not represent a burden to do so, please consider sending a bitcoin gratuity after the satisfactory resolution of your transaction.

Offering escrow costs me nothing but time and effort. I get a sense of satisfaction for providing the community with a safe and reliable way to engage in bitcoin transactions, and so far that sense of satisfaction is worth the time and effort.

In the beginning I wasn't "offering" escrow.  Instead, I was being "requested". There were people who felt that I was trustworthy and reliable and they contacted me asking if I would help facilitate a transaction for them.  I didn't mind helping out, and so I agreed to act as a "middle-man" for those transactions.

After a few such transactions, someone suggested that I should let others know that I was willing to offer the service.  It sounded like a good way to give back to the community where I had learned so much. Eventually I created the "announcement" thread and added the link to my forum signature.

So far, it hasn't been overly burdensome. Some people who have used my service have sent me a gratuity after the completion of the transaction, and I am very appreciative of that compensation.
 

[Ludi]

I'm generally willing to use any of the top 5 providers on this list that are available at the time of the transaction:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=276897.0

I wouldn't go around recommending John K these days. He hasn't even posted since April and I'm pretty sure he isnt even offerng escrows anymore.

[DannyHamilton]

I'm generally willing to use any of the top 5 providers on this list that are available at the time of the transaction:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=276897.0

I wouldn't go around recommending John K these days. He hasn't even posted since April and I'm pretty sure he isnt even offerng escrows anymore.

I agree that he is difficult to contact at the moment, and that he may choose not to handle escrow when requested.

Regardless, if you are able to contact him and if he is willing to handle the escrow, I still trust him and believe he'll handle it honestly and fairly.

[Finchy]

John K was probably once considered the safest and most popular escrow choice but he did go awol for undisclosed reasons. Now it seems to be escrow.ms but he's even busy these days. DannyHamilton and Tomatocage also seem to be very popular but always do your own research before using any escrows.

[gigiwe]

newbie, please you guys should please on this escrow for more knowledge and the services at large thumb up for guys all 

[hayabusa911]

I would think a trusted member of this site or even a MOD could help with escrow... Right?

[picolo]

I would think a trusted member of this site or even a MOD could help with escrow... Right?

Trusted escrows are available here

Read this post and others : https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=276897.0

[Orangina]

What's that Escrow means ? is it something like a MM ? middleman ?

[DannyHamilton]

What's that Escrow means ? is it something like a MM ? middleman ?

Yes. A very trustworthy, reliable, honest, and fair middleman.

[dariuss]

I would think a trusted member of this site or even a MOD could help with escrow... Right?

Trusted escrows are available here

Read this post and others : https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=276897.0

I thought John K. is no longer available?

[homm88]

That's an incredibly interesting question. And I'm glad you asked. I don't determine if it's prefer that in most countries however when you send a package deal for a product they will look at the weight with the package and you may ask to write down it in the box. Of course still can be bypassed. Along with other site like ebay using paypal this still can be created, btw i'm focusing on this problem and if anyone have suggestion regarding it he's welcome

[Hash Master]

I was thinking of using an escrow service, but decided to stick with the good old DHL. At least that way Im sure my investment is protected under some sort of security policy.

[Loophole]

John K was probably once considered the safest and most popular escrow choice but he did go awol for undisclosed reason.

Well, he went MIA without making any announcement in advance, but he did explain it after the long breaks.

From Nov 2013 to Jan 2014: the reason was "heavy travelling"
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=412061.msg4463576#msg4463576

From Jan 2014 to April 2014: the reason was "personal emergency/health reasons"
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=516308.msg6247831#msg6247831

I thought John K. is no longer available?

Not 100% sure but IMO it is better to use more active but equally trusted escrows.

[Orangina]

I don't know much about those things , but I guess I saw a list on bitcointalk :p you should check it out

[FUR11]

John K was probably once considered the safest and most popular escrow choice but he did go awol for undisclosed reason.

Well, he went MIA without making any announcement in advance, but he did explain it after the long breaks.

From Nov 2013 to Jan 2014: the reason was "heavy travelling"
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=412061.msg4463576#msg4463576

From Jan 2014 to April 2014: the reason was "personal emergency/health reasons"
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=516308.msg6247831#msg6247831

I thought John K. is no longer available?

Not 100% sure but IMO it is better to use more active but equally trusted escrows.

It was very strange indeed! I always thought he was one of the most trustworthy members on the whole forum! And then these stories appeared. Has anyone found out if these claims are true? In case of the traveling I'd expect him to tell people in advance, but the health issue of course is something very personal and can't be planned!

[And3rs0n]

Anyone can explain how to use escrow service?

[guybrushthreepwood]

Anyone can explain how to use escrow service?

Easy:

Choose one both you and the other person agree on.
Buyer sends money to the escrow
Seller sends item to you
Escrow releases money to the seller once you have confirmed you have recieved it.

[DannyHamilton]

Anyone can explain how to use escrow service?

Easy:

Choose one both you and the other person agree on.
One sends money to the escrow
seller sends item to you
escrow releases money to the seller.

You missed some important steps:

• Choose one both you and the other person agree on.
• Send the escrow provider a message requesting their service
• Make sure you get your response directly from the requested escrow provider (do not accept a message forwarded to you from the other party, or a message that comes from a userID that is different but similar looking to the escrow providers.)
• If you know how to do so, it is best to verify the digital signature from the escrow provider
• Inform the escrow provider of all the details of the transaction (who the parties are, how much BTC, exact release conditions)
• Review the escrow agreement that the escrow provider sends and make sure that there aren't any mistakes or mis-understandings
• Bitcoin provider sends bitcoins to the address indicated in the escrow agreement
• All parties wait for the transaction that funds escrow to confirm
• Product or service provider delivers as agreed
• Bitcoin provider confirms to the escrow service that they have received the expected product or service
• Escrow provider sends the bitcoins to the address provided by the product or service provider

[guybrushthreepwood]

Well I was just trying to explain the bare bones basic process of how an escrow works. Most people will probably just go the simple route especially with smaller payments.

[Muhammed Zakir]

I can see Escrow in Blockchain wallet and in some transaction too. So can you tell me how to do that? I didn't mean a public note but a real Escrow heading for that transaction. Thanks!

  ~~MZ~~

[btcguys]

What if something happens to person providing escrow service. Is there any backup option?

[DannyHamilton]

I can see Escrow in Blockchain wallet and in some transaction too. So can you tell me how to do that? I didn't mean a public note but a real Escrow heading for that transaction. Thanks!

  ~~MZ~~

Not sure what you are referring to.  Can you provide a link?

What if something happens to person providing escrow service. Is there any backup option?

That depends on the escrow provider.  Some providers are better than others.

I make sure that the clients have information on how to reach me by US Postal Service as well as by telephone (in case the bitcointalk website goes down.  All of my escrows are held with paper wallets, and I provide information for my estate on how/where to access the paper wallets used for my escrows, along with records of the release conditions for all active escrows.  If I should pass away or become incapacitated, it should still be possible for my estate to release escrow on my behalf (although it may take a few weeks for them go through all of my affairs and to be absolutely certain that they are releasing escrow properly).

[Muhammed Zakir]

I can see Escrow in Blockchain wallet and in some transaction too. So can you tell me how to do that? I didn't mean a public note but a real Escrow heading for that transaction. Thanks!

  ~~MZ~~

Not sure what you are referring to.  Can you provide a link?

Sorry! I couldn't find a tx id to show you how it look. You might have seen it.  I am just uploading the pic, see if you can understand it. If I see any tx id with Escrow, then I will post in the thread.
                                               

  ~~MZ~~

[techgeek]

I can see Escrow in Blockchain wallet and in some transaction too. So can you tell me how to do that? I didn't mean a public note but a real Escrow heading for that transaction. Thanks!

  ~~MZ~~

Not sure what you are referring to.  Can you provide a link?

Sorry! I couldn't find a tx id to show you how it look. You might have seen it.  I am just uploading the pic, see if you can understand it. If I see any tx id with Escrow, then I will post in the thread.
                                               

  ~~MZ~~

Very good on pointing that screen cap.

I would of missed it myself lol.

[Kakmakr]

Are there a minimum or maximum these escrow service providers may hold?

Any laws prohibiting them from going over these limits?

[Coef]

Are there a minimum or maximum these escrow service providers may hold?

Any laws prohibiting them from going over these limits?

Nope, but generally speaking, you won't use escrow for a very-small trade and you won't trust a person too much (say, for holding thousands of bitcoin).

Nope. There are no laws or regulations limiting the escrow size. Everybody could be an escrow, so be careful choosing a trusted person.

[DannyHamilton]

Are there a minimum or maximum these escrow service providers may hold?

I've held funds for amounts as small as 0.01 BTC.

I've held funds for amounts as large as 140 BTC.

Each escrow provider will set their own limits (if any) on what they are willing to hold.

I hold all funds on paper wallets that are generated offline.  I personally guarantee the security of the funds against loss, theft, and double-spending.  Therefore, I won't accept funds for an amount so large that I can't pay the amount myself if something should unexpectedly destroy the paper wallet, or if the wallet (or contents) are stolen.

Any laws prohibiting them from going over these limits?

You'd have to check the jurisdiction where the escrow provider resides (if they are willing to tell you where they reside) to find out what laws (if any) apply to them.  In general, most of the escrow providers on this forum are un-registered, un-licensed, and are ignoring any laws that might apply to any licensed, registered, escrow service.  In many cases, this may be illegal in their jurisdiction, and there is a risk that if local authorities discover their "business", that they could be arrested and prosecuted.  This could (obviously) result in significant delays in the release of any escrow that they may be holding at the time of their arrest.

I do not operate as a "business".  I charge nothing for holding funds, and therefore act more as a trusted friend holding on to some bitcoin for you. I hold funds only for members of the bitcointalk.org community.  Occasionally people who value my friendship and my trustworthiness will send me a gratuity to demonstrate their appreciation. These tips are graciously accepted.