Given the volatility of the global economy in recent years, buying and selling gold has gained a new degree of popularity. The key to generating real value and profits from gold is to spend sufficient time learning about the commodity and its market. Keep reading to gain valuable pointers that really can help.
When selling gold, sell to reputable buyers. Check reputations at the BBB and via online reviews. A reputable buyer will typically pay you a fair price for your gold, and they will offer better customer service than less reputable buyers. Make sure that you protect both your investment and yourself.
Make sure you research any gold broker you do business with. You want to work with a reputable gold broker. BBB and consumer reviews are two sources of information that can give you an indication of a dealer’s reputation. By getting bids from several different gold buyers, you will be more likely to get top dollar for your gold.
Do not hesitate to sell any gold jewelry that you no longer have use for. There are many people that hold on to these pieces for no logical reason when they can be sold for a tidy profit. The money you make from the sale would do more good than unused jewelry sitting in a box.
You need to be cautious about the kind of gold that you purchase to help fund your retirement. You want to ensure that it is IRS approved. It needs to be either 24 karat coins or bullion bars. Gold bars tend to hold their value better than gold coins.
When purchasing a piece of gold jewelry for someone else, be sure there is a return policy. It’s not uncommon for many pieces to not be the receiver’s taste or the wrong size. If that happens, you want to be able to take the piece back for a refund.
Those investing in gold bullion coins or collector coins need to know how their prices work differ before they buy or sell. The prices of bullion coins are determined by the daily prices of gold, while collector coins carry significant collector premiums that are determined via historical supply and demand. Some coins may be easily found in circulated condition for modest premiums over their own bullion content, but those exact coins in superb condition may fetch a higher value that is several thousand dollars above their melt value.
Look around before buying from a particular gold buyer. The chances are good that you will get completely different offers for your gold. If you stick with your first buyer, you could get a terrible deal. Take your time to help you net the most cash.
Be realistic about the price you want for your gold pieces. Remember that any buyer will want to earn a profit, so they will never pay you one hundred percent value for the gold you are selling. If they offer you seventy five or eighty percent of the value, they are usually giving you a fair deal.
If you are considering selling your gold to a pawn shop or second hand store, go with the pawn shop. Pawn shops have certain regulations they must abide by, and this protects you, the consumer. Second hand stores have no such regulations, which opens up the possibility of unethical practices.
When buying gold jewelry online, make sure to get written confirmation of your delivery date before finalizing the deal. Ideally, delivery should take place in a very short period of time. If it will be delayed, find out why and for how long. This protects you as the consumer, and it gives you information that would stand up in court if necessary.
If you are selling gold jewelry that is covered with other stones, never leave the gold dealer without those stones on you. Some shady dealers will try and pocket those gems so that they can sell them elsewhere. Even if you don’t hink they’re worth anything, it’s best to get them before leaving.
While the market for gold is tumultuous at times, it holds many opportunities to increase your wealth. If the thought of volatility and constant changes is a turn-off, perhaps the gold market is not for you. Limiting your risk is important even if you have a great deal of strength. Because of the volatile market, only a small amount of your portfolio should be invested in the gold market. A prudent limit is about five percent.
When buying gold jewelry as a gift for someone, consider the colors that they normally wear. While yellow gold remains popular and classic, gold is also available in white and rose. Sometimes these are better options for individuals who wear a lot of silver or have a lot of pink in their wardrobe.
If you have a piece of gold jewelry that has some history to it, or has been in your family for as long as you can remember have it looked at. The melt value might be really low, but there could be someone out there willing to pay a higher price for the intact piece of jewelry.
Don’t be afraid to travel a little bit to get an appraisal. Sometimes suburban gold dealers offer better rates than dealers in the middle of the city. It can be worth the extra gallon or two of gas to potentially get a hundred or more dollars more in the sale.
Gold has traditionally provided a stable repository of value, even in the most turbulent economic times. In order to extract maximum value from your own participation in the gold market, knowledge is absolutely essential. Hopefully this article has given you the foundation necessary to launch your own exploration of the possibilities offered by gold.
