There's a subreddit for this /r/darknetmarketnoobs
Obtaining anonymous bitcoins is easy: use Localbitcoins.com and trade for cash. Some DNMs are starting to use Monero, an anonymous and fungible cryptocurrency.
Booting into Tails on any public network is fairly easy. I don't think that security cameras are a reasonable concern for this, as buyer targeting is rare enough, even for larger buyers. I suppose in theory.
To a certain extent, you must trust the seller. If they are currently under investigation, you could be linked. They may also retain your personal information. There are ways to reduce these risks, but not really eliminate them.
Overall, though, the risks are quite minimal until you start purchasing large amounts with intent to distribute.
You either have to meet someone in person for this, or go to a bank. Either way you are open to having your identity tied to the transaction.
> Booting into Tails on any public network is fairly easy
The vast majority of publicly available WiFi hotspots block Tails/Tor now. There may be some exceptions, but you're also dealing with the fact that network admins can set up alerts to notify them if someone is using Tor, and where. It is likely there are also logs being kept of IP addresses where Tor has been used.
> buyer targeting is rare enough... until you start purchasing large amounts
This is really the only real reason such activities have been able to continue at all. I would not necessarily expect it to stay this way. Also, if records are being kept of this sort of thing, they could be used against anyone at any time if other reasons to target an individual surface.
If you're comfortable with the risk involved in acquiring illegal goods and have made your peace with possible repercussions, none of this is a big deal. Most of this stuff should be legal for independent adults anyway, right? But if you're wondering whether something like this might come back to bite you in the ass... well yeah, it sure as hell could.
Obtaining anonymous bitcoins is easy: use Localbitcoins.com and trade for cash. Some DNMs are starting to use Monero, an anonymous and fungible cryptocurrency.
Booting into Tails on any public network is fairly easy. I don't think that security cameras are a reasonable concern for this, as buyer targeting is rare enough, even for larger buyers. I suppose in theory.
To a certain extent, you must trust the seller. If they are currently under investigation, you could be linked. They may also retain your personal information. There are ways to reduce these risks, but not really eliminate them.
Overall, though, the risks are quite minimal until you start purchasing large amounts with intent to distribute.