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My Journey To Exchange Bitcoin For Fiat Via Atm

Bitcoin ATM Fiat currency

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#1 Rossman01

Rossman01

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Posted 17 May 2016 - 12:19 PM

Hi HYIP guys n gals - It's been a while since I've been in - but I've been missing you guys and thought to come back and visit a little - am looking to play around a little bit with hyip's again, and am Happy to see that Colaro still keeps the news posted around here.  I've been away being Dad and playing poker, both of which I love - but I also love Bitcoin - and here's a little something I whipped up last week and have been shopping it around my local forums. Thanks for having a look.

 

RossDaddy

---------------------------------------------

My Journey to 'off' some e-coin

 

Great, you’ve earned yourself some money - but you were paid in Bitcoin.  You know how to use it, but what if you need cash??  This is a great question, and likely one to be asked millions more times with the gradual adoption and use of Bitcoin as a fiat.  Many Bitcoiners would love to have a place where they can quickly go and hawk some BTC.  Well I had the same need and have embarked on a journey to do exactly that, and along the way, help others avoid some of the obvious pitfalls that come along with the effort.  The plan is to periodically visit some of these ATM’s here in my local area and report as to whether they are really still in operation and if they are meant to dispense cash, are they?  Are they in a good neighborhood or is it better to visit during the daylight hours, etc.?

 

The first location checked out is Marina Smoke Shop in Huntington Beach, CA (949-431-5122) - I called to verify it’s “2-way” status.  The shopkeeper didn’t quite understand me and the store is only a few minutes drive from my house; So I took a trip to see the machine for myself. There are two things I could have learned before I arrived.. One, RIF (Reading Is Fundamental) - If I had only read into it further, I would have learned that at the bottom of the reviews on CoinATM Radar (http://coinatmradar.com/)That there is a note lending to the type of coin and direction; then further down to simplify it, whether you can buy or sell or both from this specific ATM (This HB ATM is one-way -> Fiat to BTC).  Two, even if you call the location, the shop keeper may have no idea what the ATM in their store does, since it’s likely the store owner isn’t the ATM owner.  The lesson, do more research than you think is necessary before burning your gas.  If you only need to buy BTC, this machine will work for you as of 05/01/2016.  The machine type at this location is a “Genesis Coin”

 

 

Alas, my first search wasn’t so successful, I did learn the above and continue happily on my way through trial and investigative error.  Additional investigation gave way to new excitement as I learned that Jacks Liquor near LAX (in the city of Inglewood) is also described as a two-way machine; it even appears that way locating the machine through the above link. Great!! With this information in hand, I decide to check it out without the need to make a phone call and head out on my way - an approximate 45 minute drive.

 

This machine is a bit off the Freeway and in a neighborhood I would call, a little “Sketchy”.  It may be a “2-way” machine as advertised, but the one at this location turns out to have the exact same scenario as the other (set to “sell only”), so was a little disturbed when I realized it.  Then, when asked why the machine wasn’t set for bi-directional, the little oriental man behind the counter who assumably didn’t speak a lick of English, raised his hands and shrugged.  I left visibly perturbed and kicked myself for not making the simple phone call that could have helped me avoid this trip.  So, for you my readers...This machine type is a “General Bytes” and only operates to “Sell”

 

Although the link shows this ATM as “Two-way”, it is not.  It would not be wise to jump off a plane thinking you can quickly trade your BTC for cash here because it’s close to LAX - This machine at Jack’s is set to only Sell BTC to customers - not trade it back.  Best to continue on to the Westfield Mall (Described below).

 

Had I continued up the Freeway another ten minutes or so (as suggested above), I would have made it to the Westfield-Culver City Mall where there is a Lamassu type 2-way machine (6000 Sepulveda Blvd CulverCity, CA - Located on the first floor near JC Penney) accessible during Mall hours.  The notes for this machine indicate that it was recently updated in April of 2016 to 2 way status - That’s a good sign, considering it’s now only May 2016.  I should have made a stop here before returning home from Jack’s, but then, I wouldn’t have started this article.  Live and learn; instead, I’m heading there next in my continuing mission.

 

This was an interesting experience. I found the machine no problem, and using it wasn’t a technical feat; very easy. Click sell, click how much, then the machine displays the address to send it to; Also, if you have your “pairing code” on your iPhone or android, then you can make your transaction by showing it to the little window at the lower left hand area of the machine.  Be sure to include the amount of a fee, as the blockchain will set your transaction to the side and not process it for a long time.  This happened to me, which sent me on an additional quest: Make contact with the owner/operator of the machine for assistance.  Both the Manufacturer of the machine and Owner were prompt, knowledgeable, friendly, sensitive to my situation and helpful in resolving the issue.  In fact, The Owner (Kais (Kais@HeroCoin.Co)) happens to live in my area, and due to the distance between me and CulverCity, offered to help me personally for future transactions.  He also advised that there will be a new 2-way ATM HeroCoin will be installing in Corona, CA soon - This is a main route into and out of Orange County, out towards San Bernardino and out towards Barstow.  This was a great outcome that could have gone completely the other way.  Be careful with how much you send to yourself and be sure to include a fee, you may just end up waiting thousands of minutes until the miner-nodes decide it’s worth it to pick up.  Thanks Herocoin.co - Great customer service!

 

...and So, there I am.... next are some I haven’t yet visited, but plan to in my effort to flip out some Satoshis - and will update this string accordingly. 

 

Further up the freeway, there is a 2-way machine at Meltdown Comics in West Hollywood -> 7522 Sunset Blvd - Los Angeles CA 90046 11am-9pm daily (Store Hours).

This is a “BitAccess” machine where you send yourself some BTC by going to the website and depositing there (“cash.bitaccess.co”).  The machine will hold it for you and has it waiting when you arrive to any BitAccess machine; it’s called “Remote Initiation Process” - The benefit described for this is no validation time required once you get there.  It’s ready and waiting for you.

It seems like a pretty good location considering the general BTC audience; “er, Comic Book Store?? ...Works on multiple levels“.  I’ve not yet visited this store.

 

I also checked South on another machine (it turns out, there are two in the same complex area run by the same administrator) nearer to San Diego.  I found an article claiming “California’s First 2-Way Bitcoin ATM” which was written in January 2016 and appeared in CryptoCoin News

(https://www.cryptoco...coin-atm-opens/), considering the article is now several months old and the distance from me to Encinitas is long, I shot an email out to the machines admin contact (CoinOutlet.io).  I was again impressed with how the admin responded right away, confirmed that the machine (located in, “Surf Brothers Teriyaki” 274 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA) is currently working, and finally, asked to work with me to help avoid a wasted trip to an empty machine.  I like that, prompt, professional, and helpful.  The second machine is close by at Camino Village Plaza 256 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA.  Although there are a couple of closer machines to check out, these two are going to stay on my list to visit.  These machines are CoinOutlet type machines - I’ve been able to locate instructions on use for any of these machines on YouTube.com.

 

Thank you for reading my post, I enjoyed writing it for you; this is not the end but just the beginning.  I plan to continue visiting and reviewing more.  If this article helped you to save Time, Gas, Confusion, Avoid costly mistakes or any other additional Effort... or if it helped you make a decision, pointed you toward the next awesome idea, or inspired you to other Greatness;

 

Please kindly consider donating to my bitcoin address:

 

1HL2WSg7Bqtfk119GnZb8Fsy5rRxmzPLYB

 

Bitcoin donations of any amount will make me happy and keep me inspired to continue this journey.  I also hope it will help educate and promote locations and the use of ATM’s to monetize BTC and get it to the Masses of people and into the mainstream Marketplace.  If you are the owner or operator of a Bitcoin ATM located in Southern California and would like a visit and subsequent review of your atm location, Please contact me through this post or PM here at the website, Thank you very much.

 



#2 Rossman01

Rossman01

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Posted 12 June 2016 - 02:59 PM

Hi Friends, I'm back with an update to my fun...

 

With the continued expansion of the use of Bitcoin as a fiat currency, a great new way to exchange it has begun to bloom.  It wasn’t long ago that the only way to get Bitcoin into your wallet was to mine it, earn it, or buy it from sources such as ebay, Craig’s list, or one of many e-currency market processors.  Time has passed and new technologies have evolved in the form of BitcoinATM’s.  First, the one-way machines started appearing, mainly to placate folks who wanted to jump start their way into the market, or for those more seriously affected by the nefarious new virus strains that encode data on users hard-drives (the only way to retrieve the data is to pay a ransom in the form of Bitcoin to obtain the decrypting tool).  BitcoinATMs facilitate the ability of users to purchase (and sell) BTC rapidly.

 

The ATM I found fairly close to my home via http://coinATMradar.com is a Two-way set up, configured to exchange Bitcoin to USD and visa-versa.  This machine is conveniently located inside Ken’s Discount Liquor on the southwest corner of Lincoln and Sixth St. in Corona, California (It’s easiest to find using the Lincoln off-ramp and rolling south from the 91 freeway (a major escape route to Las Vegas from O.C.)).  The ATM is a Lamassu Douro with the Santo Tirso base, the newest Lamassu model currently available and is owned and operated by Herocoin.co.  Herocoin operates several machines in my community and has shown great knowledge and communicates with customers in an expeditious manner to help resolve issues regarding their machines.  Once inside the store, find the machine by turning to face left and then move to the back of the store.  Select the option of your choice being displayed on the machine (buy/sell).

 

Very important, be sure to have available a copy of or access to your online wallet.  Many people rely on free hotspots for their connectivity - This is not much of a problem at this location.  Open the Wi-Fi search on your device and choose the TimeWarnerHotSpot - then open a browser and sign in (if you are not already a Time-Warner customer, you will need to select the free option, and enter your email and zip-code, but after that, you may continue your transaction.)  At this stage in development, the machines do assume a certain level of technical ability and knowledge of eCoin wallets, etc; but as time goes by, the associated difficulties will be overcome.  That said, using this particular machine is fairly easy.  In this example, the user selected Sell and the amount to sell is shown in multiples of 20 USD.  The machine then displayed the amount of Bitcoin (shown in M’s) and the address for the user to send the amount to. 

Don’t worry about the amount of time it takes to send, if you run into trouble the machine will periodically ask if you have sent it or not.  Once the transaction is confirmed, the machine will process it and dispense the cash down into the tray located on the lower half of the machine.

 

It’s an easy process and if instructions were printed on the outside of the machine, it could make it easier for less experienced users in the future.  If you do run into any issues, the operator can be contacted through email at: Kais@HeroCoin.Co ... or reached through support at their website http://www.HeroCoin.co

The fees vary based upon current Bitcoin value, whether the user is purchasing or selling, and the quantity being transferred.  My prior experience with the Herocoin operated machines was in the Westhills/Culver City Mall for 300$’s.  Today’s transaction was a withdrawal of Forty bucks (see above) and paid approximately $3.50 US as a fee (It’s assumed this is a standard fee based upon time of sale.  Since the transaction of 98M (9.8 Million Satoshi), the fee paid has appreciated to $4.09).  These fees don’t just go to the owner operating the machine, some is also used in the blockchain for transaction validation.  Withdrawing from these ATM’s (Exchanging BTC for Fiat) is generally more expensive than purchasing BTC depending on the machine type and operator.

 

At time of this writing, the CoinATMradar site listed 670 known Bitcoin ATM’s in operation after just two Years since their first appearance.  That number shows an incredibly rapid expansion!  Being able find a good, local, easy to use machine with low fees that facilitates the conversion between cash and BTC is an important factor in the mass adoption of Bitcoin.  Bitcoin ATM’s are a great way to expand the use of Bitcoin as fiat to purchase both online and in a brick and mortar retail environment.

------------------------

Same goes, folks....

 

Thank you for reading my post, I enjoyed writing it for you; this is not the end but just the beginning.  I plan to continue visiting and reviewing more.  If this article helped you to save Time, Gas, Confusion, Avoid costly mistakes or any other additional Effort... or if it helped you make a decision, pointed you toward the next awesome idea, or inspired you to other Greatness;

 

Please kindly consider donating to my bitcoin address:

 

1HL2WSg7Bqtfk119GnZb8Fsy5rRxmzPLYB

 

Bitcoin donations of any amount will make me happy and keep me inspired to continue this journey.  I also hope it will help educate and promote locations and the use of ATM’s to monetize BTC and get it to the Masses of people and into the mainstream Marketplace.  If you are the owner or operator of a Bitcoin ATM located in Southern California and would like a visit and subsequent review of your atm location, Please contact me through this post or PM here at the website, Thank you very much.

 

 

 

 







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