When it comes to trading gold, it is very different than other commodities markets. When you compare it to Forex or even the stock market, you will find strategies differ as do research methods. To best profit from trading in gold, read this article from top to bottom to learn the tricks you need.
Research any gold buyer you are considering using and shop around for a reputable buyer. Look at the BBB website online for ratings, reviews, complaints and more. Additionally, get several offers before selling to a gold dealer to ensure you get top dollar.
Take precautions if you mail your items. There are a lot of mail-in services these days, and while they can be convenient, you need to protect yourself. Send the pieces through insured mail, take photographs and know the company’s policies in case they lose your gold pieces and you want a settlement.
When looking for a gold coin dealer to buy from, make sure you do your research. Carefully look at their five key traits: reputation, experience, guarantee, ethics, and size. You also need to find out about any minimal restrictions like minimum amounts, whether they may only accept certain types of payments, and when you’ll get your coins.
If you are headed to a gold party, keep your expectations low. While you may walk out with a few hundred dollars, you are not going to get rich. You also won’t get the full value of your jewelry. Go and have fun, but do not sell anything you don’t want to sell.
If you’re interested in buying gold from a dealer, make sure he is reputable. Avoid doing business with anyone who doesn’t have at least 10 years of experience in the business, because that’s one of the most important prerequisites to have. Someone who has been around for a decade is likely to be trustworthy and knowledgeable enough to make you money.
Understanding how gold alloy works is important when both buying and selling your gold. Since gold is too soft to be used by itself, it is combined with other metals to form an alloy. The karat system will tell you how much gold is in the alloy. In the United States, jewelry must be at least 10 karats for it be legally allowed to be called “gold jewelry”.
Make sure that you get your gold valued by a selection of different precious metal dealers before you agree to trade in your gold for cash. The price per gram of gold offered by different precious metal dealers can vary greatly, so it pays to get prices from many different dealers before agreeing on a deal.
Make sure you know the spot price of gold the day you plan to buy or sell. A number of websites feature this information, and it changes daily. Never pay more than 8 percent over the current sales price of gold. Be on the lookout for any unscrupulous dealers who try to get away with overcharging you.
Understand what you really have. Just because it looks like gold doesn’t mean it’s valuable. A lot of the time there will be something mixed with the gold so it holds up better. This reduces its price though. Gold-plated items apply the same principle. Getting gold jewelry appraised is always a good idea if you want to be clear about the potential sale value it represents.
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.
Look into any company you are considering via the Better Business Bureau. If there have been complaints lodged against the company, then it’s best for you to just move on to another buyer or seller. The BBB is an excellent first line of defense to weed out the worst companies out there.
Try to avoid buying gold coins from small shops that claim to be reputable dealers. You want to make sure that the people you deal with are really knowledgeable about the business, so it would be in your best interest to look for a gold dealer that has a much larger inventory.
When you go to a dealer, make sure to read all forms clearly. Gold is a huge business that makes a lot of money. You need to completely understand the contract you are signing. If you don’t like the terms, be prepared to move on. It is worth it, sometimes, to protect your finances.
Be wary of selling your gold unless you really need to. Gold prices are always going up. Even though it has been high lately, it could eventually get even higher. If holding onto the gold you own is an option, you may stand to benefit greatly down the road.
To benefit from the upside potential in gold, consider gold index funds. They are easily traded on the exchanges. For instance, the CBOE Gold Index roughly tracks the price of gold, both up and down, by trading gold mining companies. There exchange traded funds that trade on gold futures contracts, but those tend to be quite volatile.
If your gold piece has precious stones attached, consider getting them removed by a professional prior to selling the gold. Those gems may have a lot of value on their own, so you’ll want to take great care of them. And before you do any of this, get the jewelry appraised. It may be worth more just as it is.
Now that you have read all of these tips and understand what they are offering you, take advantage of their rewards. Profits can be yours when you trade smarter and with the right knowledge behind you. All you have to do is make an investment, follow through and reach for your goals.
