Every time I try to purchase BTC privately I get refereed to some exchange and than taxed a 40 dollar fee over the top. I'm no whale so that is a lot when I'm buying BTC on a budget.  I've been lurking here and don't have much to add because I am still rather new to BTC.

But why would I buy privately if I'm still getting exchange prices? And risk getting scammed. Even if there is an escrow, who knows? All it takes is one guy wanting to screw over the next. I'll just continue to do as I've done and buy from the exchange myself. After all I'm not trying to stay anonymous.

Is bitstamp considered a "crappy exchange"? I've been buying all my BTC their.

All I'm saying is, exchanges are the tool that make BTC available to the public and help it grow as an actual currency. Isn't this what we all want? Not everyone knows miners they can get wholesale coins from. Not everyone is well connected with the BTC community to just purchase privately. I am a perfect example of this.

Excuse me if I said anything foolish, I'm still rather new. But maybe a perspective from someone that is just coming into this might help. As for me, I'm buying and holding. What's one less night out when I could buy BTC cheap and watch is make me profit.