In a Reddit thread where the Bitcoin community tries an outreach program to understand why someone who understands Bitcoin would still�have a negative view of it, a lone small business owner speaks up (now edited) and offers an insightful opinion on why he doesn’t think that Bitcoin is worth the trouble for his shop:

I am a business owner. My sole interaction with Bitcoin comes from Bitcoin missionaries.

Not a single Bitcoin missionary has come in that hasn’t raised my ire. From being told that it’s “natural for older people to fear technology” (I’m in my 30’s) to being told that Bitcoin will allow me to make “real money”, it’s been nothing but a condescending shitshow of buzzwords.

It doesn’t save me money on credit cards. Don’t bother, I’ve walked through this with them before. But then they say “Well, what about POLITICAL reasons, hmm?”

If I’d listened to the kids who come into my store, I’d be locked into a bunch of $1000 coins lost in Mt. Gox. Then, later, I’d invest in that new business-minded bank, Neo Bee, which would help me with all my commerce needs! Then, to top it off, I could get a Robochain ATM to further bilk my customers.

There’s a never ending swarm of condescending college kids trying to pitch me ideas that end in disaster over and over. I’ve written about them before. Remember the whole “YELP LOVES BITCOIN!” thing? Yeah, I had to scrape those fucking “promo” stickers off my door.

The thing is, like I said, Bitcoin doesn’t help me. But you know how I hear about Bitcoin? From the same type of people that come in trying to get me to sign up for “United Electro Company TO SAVE BIG MONEY!” or “Totally not a scam ATM Company TO MAKE YOU BIG MONEY!”

And, like I said, it doesn’t help that I keep getting pitched ideas that fail. Plus, as much as you guys talk about how it isn’t about the price, you should connect to the guys handing out pamphlets business-to-business.

There is literally no difference in behavior from someone coming into my store trying to scam me, and the Bitcoin people. Same behavior, same pitches, same everything.

So now when an awkward kid dressed in their dad’s ill-fitting suit come ins, dragging a buddy and pamphlets, we play the following game:

Watchtower or Blockhain?

Reddit, in their ongoing effort to seem friendly to newcomers and help them understand the nuances of the technology and�how it can better their lives, puts their best foot forward and respond to common criticisms.

They call him a liar, a troll, and try the same tired schtick he’s just got done explaining that he’s heard a million times before.

[�]jonstern 3 points an hour ago

Bitpay? No risk and you pay 1%. How can you say that doesn’t save you on 3% credit card fees?

 

[�]yourliestopshere 3 points 2 hours ago

This was silly. Not being condescending, just observing. Its okay for a new technology to meet resistance, we should all expect this, but to compare bitcoin to a company that interacts with bitcoin, is entirely different, that is silly, or illogical. I understand your frustration, but if you care for an opinion worth repeating or public, you’d be better off googling more. There is a lack of understanding here, there needs to be clarification. If I can help, just ask.

 

[�]Forlarren 0 points an hour ago

The OP asked for informed opinions, sciencelovesyou doesn’t like bitcoins because of ignorance (admittedly knows little to nothing and doesn’t want to learn for reasons), and an anecdotal experience. Doesn’t exactly qualify but it got upvotes.

 

[�]Forlarren 0 points 41 minutes ago

Yes, ignorance, it’s not a dirty word.

I’m sure you know all sorts of things but bitcoin isn’t it and that’s what the OP asked for.

 

[�]Forlarren -1 points 40 minutes ago

He understands a few things about what he doesn’t like bitcoin, that in no way means he “understands bitcoin”. Even admitted so himself. Not what the OP asked for.

 

[�]Forlarren 0 points 23 minutes ago

Apparently because I told some Jehovah’s witnesses to got off my porch I now qualify as an expert in all things church related.

Either that or the shills don’t understand the OP’s question at all when they upvoted this post.

 

[�]MyDixieWreck4BTC 7 points 5 hours ago

Did you hear the one about being able to communicate with strangers miles away electronically?

 

[�]felipelalli 0 points 4 hours ago

Did you hear “bitcoin is about freedom“? This one is true.

 

[�]ToTheGroundGuy 1 point an hour ago

What sold you on credit cards?

You’re obviously a very strongly opinionated person.

Why do you accept them?

 

[�]dewbiestep 0 points 3 hours ago

If you buy into an insolvent exchange at the height of a speculation bubble, that’s not the fault of the missionaries. Mt gox was an incredibly stupid place to hold money for a year before they bailed. You should do due dilligence before making any of these decisions. But i’m sure the missionaries are annoying, and that alone will turn you away even if they’re talking about a good thing.

 

[�]Forlarren 2 points an hour ago

“But i’m sure the missionaries are annoying, and that alone will turn you away even if they’re talking about a good thing.”

This is a good way to go out of business.

 

[�]Forlarren 1 point 23 minutes ago

Too bad it isn’t what the OP asked for. You are just upvoting a criticism because it’s a criticism you agree with, not one coming from deep understanding of fundamentals that the OP was asking for.

 

[�]Perish_In_a_Fire -1 points 55 minutes ago

This is really a well-crafted astroturf piece. My congrats.

Coming off like a business owner who would’ve single-handedly been “ripped off” by every bad situation in Bitcoin and would have had coins lost on Mt. Gox!

What are the odds? I’d say they’re pretty fucking astronomical. But then again, we’re taking you at face value, aren’t we? We’re also assuming you don’t have any axe to grind against bitcoin in general, that you don’t have a business that enjoys a relatively lax credit-card processing tier – or indeed, does enough business to qualify for one.

I mean hell, for all we know you repair old televisions and typewriters, and couldn’t care less about Bitcoin because none of your clients would understand it.

Your story seems severely skewed. Pro-tip – if you want to sound more credible, just list one or two knocks for why you think Bitcoin won’t help you. It seems you went overboard and decided to go for the gusto – and it seems a bit forced.

 

[�]Perish_In_a_Fire -1 points 26 minutes ago

Hit a nerve?

It would’ve been more believable if you had just stuck to one or two, just remember that for next time. Nobody believes the guy that says he hit every pothole in the road

 

[�]Forlarren -1 points 21 minutes ago

No I agree, you haven’t actually shown any knowledge of bitcoin, just repeated a few headlines and bitched about your (potential) customers.

Anyone leaving coins on Gox automatically means they aren’t the opinion the OP was asking for.

 

The guy was eventually run out of the subreddit and deleted all his posts.

Way to go guys! What a warm and welcoming community!

The post Business Owner sounds off about Bitcoin Missionaries trying to convert him, the flock does not take well to dissenting opinions. appeared first on Buttcoin Foundation.