Of all the things you could invest your money in, gold is one of the safest bets. Even with minor fluctuations, gold really tends to hold its value over the years. Learn more about gold and what your options are with it, with the tips and tricks in the following article.
If a deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Be leery of people who are selling their gold for way below the going rate. Chances are probably good that it is gold plated or brass. Even if it is stamped, it is always best to have it tested before you buy it.
The price of gold tends to fluctuate over time. It is smart to buy when gold prices are very low and then hold on to it. Don’t panic and sell if the price goes up and comes back down. Investing in gold over a long period of time can really end up paying off.
You need to know what you have before you go to sell it. Higher karats equals higher gold density and more value. Buyers who do not have a good reputation may try to take advantage of sellers who don’t know exactly what they have. Twenty-four karat gold is almost pure gold so it is worth way more than fourteen karat gold.
When buying gold, beware of scam artists. Always buy from a reputable dealer, and beware of any offers such as free storage or delays in delivery time. Sometimes these dealers will take your money and never provide you with the gold you were promised. Check out your dealer at the BBB before buying to make sure you are working with someone ethical.
Be a student of the gold market. This market is very tricky, as the price of gold is something that changes on a daily basis. What’s a great deal one day could be less than stellar the next. It’s up to you to know what you are getting into so that you can get the most for your buying or selling.
Once you decide to sell your gold, start your search with local dealers. Go into a store and get a ballpark figure for your pieces. From there, you can begin checking online and in other shops to see where you can get the most bang for your buck. Get at least four to five quotes before you go forward with a sale.
You don’t have to physically own gold to invest in gold. Check out mutual funds that invest specifically in gold. Also look at mutual funds that invest heavily in commodities in general with a concentration in gold. This makes investing in this sector a lot easier to handle for many.
Avoid gold parties, unless you just want to have fun. For the most part, you aren’t going to get the full value of your jewelry, although participants often enjoy going because the parties are convenient and offer social interaction. Remember, the host has to get paid, as does the company buying the jewelry. That means that you are going to get less for your pieces.
Be very careful when buying gold off of the Internet, you never know who it is you are actually dealing with. You may be thinking you are getting gold from a reputable dealer, and the person you are dealing with is a scam artist that is only after your financial information.
Have your gold weighed out in the open, in front of you. If a dealer wants to take your piece to the back of the store, beware. Some less than ethical dealers will use a bait and switch, or they will tell you the pieces weigh less than they actually do. This means less money in your pocket, and it amounts to an unfair deal.
Go into selling your gold with a realistic attitude. Some people think a few pieces are going to net them thousands of dollars, but realistically there are many factors in play. The items may not be pure gold, or they could even be plated. Consider an appraisal to understand what you really have.
Don’t just bring your gold to a buyer without knowing its true value, no matter how badly you are in need of cash. Calculate the value of your items based on purity and weight so that you have a good idea what the fair market value is. Only then should you bring your gold to a dealer.
If you decide to purchase gold, make sure you go to a reputable dealer. Buying coins from a coin shop may be convenient, but you may not be getting the best deal. Gold prices can fluctuate from one day to the next, so make sure you know how much you should be paying on that particular day.
When buying gold coins, always purchase the largest denomination available. Gold firms typically charge a premium on each coin to cover their advertising costs and provide a profit. By purchasing large denominations, and therefore fewer actual coins, you save yourself money by reducing the premium you pay to the dealer.
Educating yourself about gold is the first and most important step to entering into this lucrative market. Make sure you have a good understanding of what is involved with your purchase, sale or collectibles before spending any money. Once you really know what you’re doing, it should be a lot of fun and very worth your while.
