Silk Road forums

Discussion => Newbie discussion => Topic started by: Chang on August 14, 2013, 09:41 pm

Title: I can't even give away money.
Post by: Chang on August 14, 2013, 09:41 pm
I am offering a very favorable deal to my first five customers. I am attempting to start up a BTC exchange service. I have offered a 15% bonus up to $50 to my first 5 customers. Anyone interested have a look at my vendor page. PM me on the main site with any questions or buy my listing and we can get to work on betting you some free Bitcoins.
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: Chang on August 15, 2013, 12:14 am
Is this offer not very good? I thought people would jump at this opportunity.
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: xxsquidxx on August 15, 2013, 12:17 am
Dude, I want free bitcoins. It like free drugs plus delivery.
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: Chang on August 15, 2013, 12:20 am
Dude, I want free bitcoins. It like free drugs plus delivery.

So what do you think about my offer? I would totally be okay with a single person taking all of my first 5 transactions one at a time.. I don't see how you can beat it.
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: Tiger on August 15, 2013, 12:31 am
I think with this service you'll have to be very patient, it takes a long time to gain respect and a good reputation.

Your offer does seem good but it'll take time for people to be confident in using your service, 15% bonus means shit if you're gonna take the money and run.

Obviously not implying you will or anything but this is how I see it, it's not that it isn't a good offer but enticing people with monetary rewards can seem a little scammy. Maybe focus on being fast, reliable and trustworthy?

My thoughts anyway- All the best!
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: Chang on August 15, 2013, 12:38 am
That is of course the plan and the 15% incentive is only to get my first few transactions done and establish my reputation.

The other part of the offer is that I am willing to do repeated transactions in $50 increments. So the buyer never has more than $50+a $5 Western Union fee at risk at any time. Basically if a customer wanted to transfer $200, they would start by sending $50 and I would travel to the WU and verify that it got sent, then travel home and transfer their coins. After that we would repeat the same process 3 more times.. The customer gets to do all this from the comfort of their computer while I am busting back and forth to maintain their security of never having more than $55 at risk at any one time.

The 15% bonus more than covers the fees so they come out ahead in the end and I have been offering transactions at the Mt.Gox rate so I am offering a favorable exchange rate as well!
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: xxsquidxx on August 15, 2013, 03:37 am
sorry not even worth my time.
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: dataloss on August 15, 2013, 04:39 am
Harvard University prof took 2000 usd in $20 bills went at a bus stop and gave a 20 to everyone who would make direct eye contact-no questions , nothing!In 3 hours he managed to pass 8 $20 bills.
Mate an offer as good as this can make people a litla uncomfortable.No offense but I am sure that you know that there are a lot of scammers out there.The boys at SR are making every possible effort to stop them , but ...
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: Juggernog on August 15, 2013, 04:52 am
That is of course the plan and the 15% incentive is only to get my first few transactions done and establish my reputation.

The other part of the offer is that I am willing to do repeated transactions in $50 increments. So the buyer never has more than $50+a $5 Western Union fee at risk at any time. Basically if a customer wanted to transfer $200, they would start by sending $50 and I would travel to the WU and verify that it got sent, then travel home and transfer their coins. After that we would repeat the same process 3 more times.. The customer gets to do all this from the comfort of their computer while I am busting back and forth to maintain their security of never having more than $55 at risk at any one time.

The 15% bonus more than covers the fees so they come out ahead in the end and I have been offering transactions at the Mt.Gox rate so I am offering a favorable exchange rate as well!

So if a customer wanted 200.00 worth of coin why would you make them do 4 transaction? That could be considered by some as feedback farming.
I would guess a new customer would want to do a 50.00 transaction the first time since it's a lot less to loose if you do go MIA, but after the first one is successful they would probably just want to do a 150.00 transaction to finish it up. plus they don't have to spend an additional 15.00 is WU fees.

IMO of course.
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: fuNguyZ on August 15, 2013, 05:55 am
sucks
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: SMOOTHGBABY on August 15, 2013, 06:45 am
Yeah man, even with your 15% discount. Being forced to have transactions of $50. The fees are going to be around 10% of each one, giving only an actual 5% incentive to trust your money to a stranger. You may wanna go back to the marketing drawing board mate.
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: I want to go to there on August 15, 2013, 08:42 am
Hey Mate!

A few things:
1.  Your listing is slightly cryptic, lacking information & may be confusing to your potential customers.  I understand English might be your second language, but it might be worth getting some assistance in writing a better 'copy' for your vending page.

2.  Is there a possibility that what you are trying to do is not allowed on SilkRoad?  From how I understand what you are trying to do you would be voiding this rule:

http://dkn255hz262ypmii.onion/wiki/index.php?title=Seller%27s_Guide

"Below is a short list of specific things you should avoid. It is by no means exhaustive, but taking any one of these actions could get your seller priviledges revoked:

    Directing customers to pay outside the escrow system or in currencies other than Bitcoin "

I think requesting money through WU is breaking this rule.

Perhaps get in contact with a site admin to confirm?  I'd hate for you to lose your vendor account + bond.

Anyway, hope you find a business that works for you :)

Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: 88fxstc on August 15, 2013, 09:19 am
PM sent on the Road
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: Chang on August 15, 2013, 10:39 am
So if a customer wanted 200.00 worth of coin why would you make them do 4 transaction? That could be considered by some as feedback farming.
I would guess a new customer would want to do a 50.00 transaction the first time since it's a lot less to loose if you do go MIA, but after the first one is successful they would probably just want to do a 150.00 transaction to finish it up. plus they don't have to spend an additional 15.00 is WU fees.

IMO of course.

While your point about feedback farming is taken, that is not the intention at all. The $50 transactions are a means to protect the customer so they only have $50 at risk at any one time and do not have to trust me on any amount greater than that. If they chose to do $50 then $150, or just the $200 right off the bat, no problem. But 10% of $200 is $20 and 10% of $50 x 4 is $20 so the fees are the same either way. That's the way percentages work. The customer will not have to spend any additional fees in either case and because of the bonus I am paying those fees.

Quote
Yeah man, even with your 15% discount. Being forced to have transactions of $50. The fees are going to be around 10% of each one, giving only an actual 5% incentive to trust your money to a stranger. You may wanna go back to the marketing drawing board mate.

Compared to any other means of getting bitcoins this is a great deal. No if you aren't planning on being a customer or don't need to buy bitcoins this probably isn't worth your time, but that is not what I am here for. I am here to provide a service and right now I am offering a better deal than anywhere else including clearnet.

Quote
1.  Your listing is slightly cryptic, lacking information & may be confusing to your potential customers.  I understand English might be your second language, but it might be worth getting some assistance in writing a better 'copy' for your vending page.

I will take another look at my listing, I honestly didn't spend a lot of time on it. I put in what I thought was  important and posted it. I assure you English is my first language. Thanks for that though.

Quote
2.  Is there a possibility that what you are trying to do is not allowed on SilkRoad?  From how I understand what you are trying to do you would be voiding this rule:

Perhaps get in contact with a site admin to confirm?  I'd hate for you to lose your vendor account + bond.

SR support has said again and again that buying an selling bitcoin through the site is allowed and I am not the only vendor doing this. While they do not recommend it because of the risks involved and because of the lack of escrow protection. Which are real risks, don't get me wrong. I want any potential customers to know up front that I understand why there is uncertainty in this transaction. But that is why I am offering to do it in pieces for anyone to minimize the risk on their end. It is a lot of extra work for me, but well worth it to provide as much security as possible.

Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: shazmo009 on August 15, 2013, 10:44 am
Yeah man, even with your 15% discount. Being forced to have transactions of $50. The fees are going to be around 10% of each one, giving only an actual 5% incentive to trust your money to a stranger. You may wanna go back to the marketing drawing board mate.

That made me LoL
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: Chang on August 15, 2013, 10:56 am
Yeah man, even with your 15% discount. Being forced to have transactions of $50. The fees are going to be around 10% of each one, giving only an actual 5% incentive to trust your money to a stranger. You may wanna go back to the marketing drawing board mate.

That made me LoL

It makes me sad. Free money versus paying other vendors 9-10% and then acting like I am foolish for thinking it is a good deal..  :-[
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: Tiger on August 15, 2013, 11:37 am
People are dicks, don't worry about it.

Have you thought about scrapping the free money idea and advertising no exchange fees instead. IIRC BitcoinsUK did this and did well out of it.
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: Chang on August 15, 2013, 12:02 pm
I had not considered exchange fees for customers outside the US. If I had an overseas customer I would consider the idea, but it has not come up yet.
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: Tiger on August 15, 2013, 12:42 pm
That's not really what I was getting at.
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: Chang on August 15, 2013, 12:45 pm
Could you explain what it was you meant then?
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: Tiger on August 15, 2013, 12:53 pm
Get rid of the 'free money' campaign- It screams scam.

Advertise 'no commission' instead, or low commission.

(If there's no commission people might wonder why you're doing it (scam?), low commission shows your intentions are legit and that it's still a good deal).

My thoughts anyway...pinch of salt an all that.

There was another btc exhange on here (BitcoinsUK) that offered commission free exchanges to get started, it seemed to work for him.

Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: Chang on August 15, 2013, 01:04 pm
Thanks for the advice. I suppose I can see where it might sound 'too good to be true' but all the better for the few folks who decide to work with me. Then anyone who didn't trust missed out on the deal. No big deal though because after this I intend to offer very low fees for the first 25-50 transactions before raising it slightly until I have 150 -200 transactions...

So everyone will have the chance to use my service at low cost, only the first few will get free money on top of their order.
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: BizittyNikkelz on August 15, 2013, 01:05 pm
I must admit, if a vendor doesn't have a clear page (in English) I have trouble trusting the order.
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: Chang on August 15, 2013, 01:10 pm
The listing was clear and in English, it just wasn't very elaborate. I am really not sure what he meant by asking if English was my first language. The listing is titled: 'Making Chang' which is a play on words with my nickname and the act of making change... It is in no way a testament to my abilities with the English language.
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: CityWok on August 15, 2013, 03:26 pm
Hey man, I'm still a newbie so I'm gullible enough to trust you from overseas. I'd try with, let's say $25 tomorrow around noon GMT time using Money Gram. What do you think?
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: Thetruthseeker1234 on August 15, 2013, 03:33 pm
The listing was clear and in English, it just wasn't very elaborate. I am really not sure what he meant by asking if English was my first language. The listing is titled: 'Making Chang' which is a play on words with my nickname and the act of making change... It is in no way a testament to my abilities with the English language.
Check your PM's on the road
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: 88fxstc on August 15, 2013, 07:49 pm
Hey man, I'm still a newbie so I'm gullible enough to trust you from overseas. I'd try with, let's say $25 tomorrow around noon GMT time using Money Gram. What do you think?

Hey CityWok, you and Chang will do fine business together, you probably speak the same language  right??
That WAS just a stupid, dickhead attempt at a joke,  :P  you get that I hope.
Anyway,
I gave Chang a try earlier today, I usually wont use a new vendor for bitcoins, or buy btc'S on here at all unless it's 1 other BTC vendor and he's good but he's from southeast Asia and we're on wayyyy different time schedules.
Soooooo, Chang gave me free money.  ;)
This guy must drive a goofy lookin old Delorean with a flux capacitor stuck to it cause he was so fast he musta time traveled about 15 minutes back in time to get my money into my SR account.  Seriously, Chang bent over backwards for me, was responding to PM's B4 I was done typing them, must be that Delorean again. He changed up his MO slightly in order to accommodate me , AND , gave me the best rate I've ever got buying bitcoins, PLUS, I got a little xtra bonus for being his 1st cusatomer . I took a chance on Chang, an untested vendor because I had a good gut feeling bout em, and my gut feeling was right on the money,,,,,this time.
Chang is a straight shooter, he was a pleasure to do business with and I would not hesitate to do business with him again.
Now, if I were anyone else reading this review, I'd be thinkin," of course he was, you were his 1st customer" . That is true, but, you get a feel for people and I just got the feeling this dude is a straight shooter with integrity. Just trying to offer a service at a much more than fair price . I mean, cmon guys, I got free money.
Communications - 10/5
Speed - 10/5
I don't know what else to rate as there is no product or shipping to critique, but I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to use Chang again .
Thnx Dude, you came thru for me in a big way today. Thats how you throw a Grand Opening.............

Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: Chang on August 15, 2013, 08:01 pm
Thank you so much 88 for your glowing review. If you could share it in a new thread in the Rumor Mill titled "Chang - BTC Vendor - Official Review Thread" I would be most grateful!
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: CityWok on August 15, 2013, 11:03 pm
Hey CityWok, you and Chang will do fine business together, you probably speak the same language  right??
That WAS just a stupid, dickhead attempt at a joke,  :P  you get that I hope.

Sure we speak the same language. The language of looove!

Chang, I'm off to sleep now, but in few hours I hope we'll make a nice, sweet deal.
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: guacamolly on August 16, 2013, 02:49 am
bitcoins can be bought in many safer ways outside of SR, but I won't knock anyone's hustle
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: SMOOTHGBABY on August 16, 2013, 06:53 am
Yeah man, even with your 15% discount. Being forced to have transactions of $50. The fees are going to be around 10% of each one, giving only an actual 5% incentive to trust your money to a stranger. You may wanna go back to the marketing drawing board mate.

That made me LoL

INA GOOD WAY I HOPE
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: bigbadwolff on August 16, 2013, 08:40 am
very interesting
Title: Re: I can't even give away money.
Post by: CityWok on August 16, 2013, 05:47 pm
I'm happy to say that Chang's business is legit! Quick service, extra cherry on top for being one of the first customers. I believe I found my go-to guy when it comes to getting some Bitcoins. We have joint venture.