Avoid localbitcoins dot com
Hi all. Once before I recommended this site because it has Egyptian bitcoin sellers that accept local payment methods. But today and as I tried to use it again after sometime, I found that it requires to do more verification to be able to continue using the site. Specifically, it asked to verify my identity (although I am just buyer not seller and I also buy bitcoins in relatively small amounts only like 0. 002 btc).
The verification process was ridiculously complex and failed at the end:
-First, it doesn't support verification using Egyptian national ID card.
-Second, when I tried to verify with passport, it doesn't give the option to upload a passport scan photo that was made by a scanner, and gives only the option to take a photo of the passport using mobile camera then take a selfie of yourself too using mobile camera.
After I went through all this I found that verification failed because "photo of passport wasn't clear enough" and "passport expired". Which is ridiculous because I was sure 100% that the photo I made with mobile was high quality and showing all details clearly. Also why on earth they check also if the passport is expired or not?
In the past I used to use another site named "Paxful" which doesn't support Egyptian local payment methods and only Paypal works on it, which was fine for some time, then sellers started to ask that I must mark the Paypal transfer as "a gift to friend" so Paypal doesn't consider it "A payment for goods or services". And strangely Paypal doesn't give that "gift" option to Egyptian users, and so this site is no longer useful too.
I will exchange my trusted alcohol + 'other stuff' dealers in Cairo for contacts.
It's quite difficult for me to find in-call contacts in Cairo or Alexandria without putting myself at risk (I get easily paranoid being sent to cut-off locations by contacts no one has ever vouched for). I also have also a difficult time asking for contacts in person because of my fear of exposure as I'm a longer term resident.
So, I'll gladly trade you my 'dealers' or something of slight monetary value if that's not something you seek as a thank you if you share a contact that you vouch for.
Thank you mongers.
Apartment for rent Al-Haram
I see that the apartment, Airbnb situation is tough for a lot of guys here. I have an apartment in Al-Haram about 5 minutes from the new Egyptian Museum that I've had vacant for a few years. Heading back to Egypt in November and trying to figure out what I should do with this. I actually suggested to my cousin that we open a working girl house but jokingly. My question is, If I setup the apartment would anyone here be interested in renting it Bnb style. Let me apologize in advance if this is not supposed to be here, if it not please delete.
Avoid renting to locals and Arabs
[QUOTE=BjjMonger;2750172]I see that the apartment, Airbnb situation is tough for a lot of guys here. I have an apartment in Al-Haram about 5 minutes from the new Egyptian Museum that I've had vacant for a few years. Heading back to Egypt in November and trying to figure out what I should do with this. I actually suggested to my cousin that we open a working girl house but jokingly. My question is, If I setup the apartment would anyone here be interested in renting it Bnb style. Let me apologize in advance if this is not supposed to be here, if it not please delete.[/QUOTE]As someone in the Airbnb business for almost 7 years, one thing I can tell you is never rent to locals or Arabs. They neither treat the place well or even leave when they supposed to. Even if there are positive reviews (they can easily be manipulated nowadays).
Currently I am in a 3-year case trying to evict a local refusing to leave one of my Airbnb.