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The Great Robocoin Rip-off: How We Lost $25,000 Buying a Robocoin ATM

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Re: The Great Robocoin Rip-off: How We Lost $25,000 Buying a Robocoin ATM

#21
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's quite common for ATM's to be running Windows XP, so maybe that is why this one is doing it as well. And ATM's and POS machines running XP do still receive security updates.

Interesting, thanks for the clarification.

This is true, you'll notice atm machines when under maintenance shows the classic XP screen. Though I do not know, why they still use that.

Re: The Great Robocoin Rip-off: How We Lost $25,000 Buying a Robocoin ATM

#22
I am shocked, shocked that a Bitcoin-related vendor was crooked.

Really, this story does totally suck for you guys but there should be absolutely zero trust or respect for anyone selling anything related to bitcoin at the moment. You're just begging to be ripped off.

Re: The Great Robocoin Rip-off: How We Lost $25,000 Buying a Robocoin ATM

#24
post #12

Is it such a good idea to invest in something that's built on deprecated software (Windows XP)? And to handle money, no less. I'm a layman in regards to this, but is there a valid reason to choose XP over, lets say, a LTS Ubuntu release? Maybe some PCI ruling or something like that? Just seems strange and I've had a bad vibe ever since I read it.

It's quite common for ATM's to be running Windows XP, so maybe that is why this one is doing it as well. And ATM's and POS machines running XP do still receive security updates.

It's common for ATMs to be built on XP, there's no denying that. But the reason is because they were built on it initially, when it was still okay to do so. To using Windows XP for the base of an ATM (especially one that -- by design -- must be connected to the Internet) in 2014 is more than irresponsible. I can't imagine the kind of cargo cult thinking required to make that decision.

Re: The Great Robocoin Rip-off: How We Lost $25,000 Buying a Robocoin ATM

#25
post #4

wow that sounds like a horrible experience! it is unfortunate that you got stung like that. out of interest, what was the expected ROI? I mean, you sunk $25K into it. even if you were charging 5% fees - you would need half a million in transactions to break even, and that isn't including the monthly rental fee for the location. is there really that big of a demand for BTC in a pub?

See the email from Jordan on August 27, 2014--he claims "average income is ~$2300/month". Given the source that's probably a best case scenario.

Re: The Great Robocoin Rip-off: How We Lost $25,000 Buying a Robocoin ATM

#26
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting, thanks for the clarification.

This is true, you'll notice atm machines when under maintenance shows the classic XP screen. Though I do not know, why they still use that.

They use it because it works for them and it's not worth upgrading and taking on that risk. That said, that in no way excuses using XP for new development.

Re: The Great Robocoin Rip-off: How We Lost $25,000 Buying a Robocoin ATM

#27
The fraud level in the Bitcoin world is so high that it makes South Florida look good.

There's a working Robocoin ATM at Hacker Dojo in Mountain View, CA. Nobody uses it. Nor should they. 15% bid/ask spread, 5% fee.

Incidentally, the retail price for an ordinary ATM machine is $2,000 to $4,500, depending on the features ordered. A standard through-the-wall bank ATM is about $9,500. Even if you order every option from cash deposit through biometrics, they don't cost $25,000.

Re: The Great Robocoin Rip-off: How We Lost $25,000 Buying a Robocoin ATM

#28
"Just so we're perfectly aligned, I want you to understand the relationship that Robocoin has with our manufacturer. We are actually just a reseller of their kiosks with our software."

I've heard this from smaller retailers of all kinds of products and, as pointed out in Andrew's reply, it's complete bullshit. The company that took your money is the company you formed a contract with. Any nonsense about "yeah, but the manufacturer..." is a smokescreen designed to dodge responsibility.

(Wimpy disclaimer: this isn't legal advice and maybe it's not true if you live in Yemen or something, I dunno)

Re: The Great Robocoin Rip-off: How We Lost $25,000 Buying a Robocoin ATM

#29
post #27

The fraud level in the Bitcoin world is so high that it makes South Florida look good. There's a working Robocoin ATM at Hacker Dojo in Mountain View, CA. Nobody uses it. Nor should they. 15% bid/ask spread, 5% fee. Incidentally, the retail price for an ordinary ATM machine is $2,000 to $4,500, depending on the features ordered. A standard through-the-wall bank ATM is about $9,500. Even if you order every option from…

"Incidentally, the retail price for an ordinary ATM machine is $2,000 to $4,500"

But, but.... those banks know nothing about bitcoin, it's the future...

And of course, the markup is moot, because you didn't get the product.

Re: The Great Robocoin Rip-off: How We Lost $25,000 Buying a Robocoin ATM

#30
Absolutely terrible.

I have the feeling that Jordan knows exactly what he's doing. The amount of $20,000 is a lot but it's not that much once you start to hire lawyers and file a suit or go into arbitration. Sounds like he's stringing them along waiting to see how much more cash they're willing to invest to recoup that $20,000.

Even worse Jordan might be setting himself up for a settlement of less than $20,000 where he keeps some of the money but knows it's a better offer for Andrew and Rajiv than hiring lawyers.

Been there. Done that. I'll never look at a purchase or legal document the same again. Jordan's got the upper hand here.

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