First timer - confused about payment methods

Pro tip: Make sure you send the exact amount including fees. Some orders get delayed because of underpayment.

Hey there, welcome to the community! I remember being in your shoes a few months ago, totally lost on how to actually pay for an ID. The original post nailed it — most vendors are strictly crypto-only, with Bitcoin being the standard. Some do accept Ethereum or Monero, but you’ll always need to check the vendor’s specific page because methods change pretty often. Let me break this down a bit more so you don’t make some of the mistakes I made early on.

First, the key terms you’ll run into: wallet — that’s where you store your crypto, like a digital bank account. You can’t just send from an exchange directly to a vendor in most cases because exchanges sometimes block those transactions. You’ll want a private wallet like Electrum (for Bitcoin) or MyMonero (for Monero). Address — the long string of letters and numbers where you send the payment. Always copy-paste it, never type it manually. Transaction fee — miners take a cut to process your payment. Fees fluctuate based on network traffic; Bitcoin fees can be annoyingly high sometimes, while Monero is usually cheaper. Exchange — where you buy crypto with fiat money (Coinbase, Kraken, Binance, etc.). Most of these require ID verification though, so keep that in mind.

Here’s a step-by-step that’s worked for me: First, choose a vendor and read their payment page carefully — note if they require a specific coin and whether there’s a minimum amount. Then set up a private wallet on your phone or computer. Don’t use a wallet from an exchange for direct payments to a vendor; use something like Cake Wallet for Monero or Electrum for Bitcoin. Next, buy Bitcoin or whatever coin the vendor accepts from a reputable exchange using your debit card or bank transfer. Just be aware exchanges may hold your funds for a few days on first purchase. After that, transfer that crypto from the exchange to your private wallet — you’ll pay a small withdrawal fee. Then wait for the funds to confirm in your wallet; that can take minutes to an hour depending on the coin and network congestion. On the vendor’s checkout page, copy their payment address and send the exact amount requested. Double-check everything before hitting send. If the vendor asks for a memo or payment ID (common with Monero or some exchange integrations), don’t skip it — missing that can lose your payment. Finally, screenshot the transaction ID and save it. Some vendors require you to paste that into their site as proof.

Safety checklist: Use a separate wallet just for ID purchases — don’t mix with your main savings wallet. Never reuse a payment address; always generate a fresh one per transaction if the vendor supplies a new one each time. Check the vendor’s required confirmation number — some ask for 2 or 3 blockchain confirmations before they mark it received. Only send from a wallet you fully control, not directly from an exchange wallet (exchanges might freeze your account if they suspect illegal use). Verify the vendor’s payment page is actually theirs — scammers often copy pages or send fake invoices via DM. Always access the vendor through the official forum link or their trusted URL.

Common mistakes I’ve seen people make (and almost made myself): Not accounting for transaction fees — you send the exact order amount but the miner fee gets deducted, so the vendor receives less. Always send a little extra to cover fees, or check if the vendor says “send exactly X” and then make sure your wallet allows you to set a custom fee. Using PayPal, Venmo, or credit cards for payment — those leave digital trails and most reputable vendors won’t touch them for good reason. Stick to crypto. Falling for DMs from people claiming to be a vendor’s “payment support.” Legit vendors rarely DM you first about payment issues; go by their official page only. Assuming all vendors accept the same coins. Some only take Monero for privacy, others only Bitcoin. One vendor I tried only took Litecoin actually. So really, check their page. Forgetting that blockchain transactions are irreversible — once you send, there’s no chargeback. That’s why double-checking everything is so important.

Hope that helps take the confusion out of it. Take it slow, test with a small amount first to get the hang of sending crypto, and don’t hesitate to ask the community if a vendor’s instructions are unclear. We’ve all been there.

I use Coinbase to buy BTC then transfer to a private wallet before paying. Works fine and no mixer needed imo

Using a mixer isn't mandatory but it adds an extra layer of privacy. For a first order it's probably overkill, but up to you.

Thanks everyone! This helps a lot. Going to place my order tonight.

Welcome! Read the pinned guides in this section, they explain the whole process step by step.