Gold has always been a prized possession and a valued commodity. It retains its value even in the toughest of economic times. It is prized for its value and for the beauty of it when worn. If you are looking to buy some gold, here are some tips to guide you.
Go with a legit buyer if you’re selling gold. Check BBB.org to find out more about the firm. Reputable buyers will pay fair rates for gold and will provide solid customer service. You should do this to better protect your gold investment and yourself.
Make sure the dealer you are considering is licensed. Make sure, too, that the dealer is active in reputable organizations within the industry. This is a business with a lot of sharks in it, so the more things that prove the legitimacy of the operation, the better it is for you.
Be aware of any fees that are attached to the transaction of buying gold. Online purchases come with several types of fees. You may suffer from a markup of as much as ten percent from the dealer. Read all of the fine print to learn about any and all fees that are related to the purchase
While doing your research about the seller of gold, be wary of reviews on social media sites. Gold sellers have been known to pay people to produce false reviews about their services. Do not count solely on the reviews that you read on those sites and continue your research through other sites.
Try to determine the best type of gold for you to buy. Generally, the best types of gold to get are gold coins, bullion bars, or GoldMoney. Determining the type you want can help you see the amount of money you can set aside for buying and help you figure out why you’re buying it to begin with.
Research gold buyers. If you decide to send your gold out of state, make sure your package is certified and insured. You will probably feel more confident selling your gold to a reputable local business that has a storefront. Either way, you should check with the Better Business Bureau.
Know what you have. Some items are worth way more than the actual price of the gold they are made from. This is especially true for antique coins or jewelry. Oftentimes gold jewelry features highly sought after gems in the setting too. That could make the item a lot more valuable.
If you are planning on buying gold for historic value, make sure you understand the true value of the piece. Some are worth no more than their melt price. If you are buying for your own collection, that might be okay. If you are buying as an investment, you should look for pieces that are worth more, meaning it’s often advisable to stay away from any mention of historic value.
Prior to going to a gold party, take your jewelry to a store and get an estimate as to how much the gold is worth. If the gold party representative quotes you a lower amount, see if they are willing to negotiate. If not, determine whether you truly want to sell at the party or would just prefer to hang on to the items.
If you attend a gold party, you want to ask the representative how the value of the jewelry is determined exactly. Many items are stamped. But other times, there isn’t any mark of visual cue, so the reps have other alternatives for determining it. An acid test can be a very simple way of doing this, so be aware of that.
When looking to buy gold as an investment, it is important that you invest in solid gold. There are many phrases you should look out for such as “gold clad,” “gold enveloped” because these are just fancy words for gold plated. This means under the gold is a different metal, which drastically drives down the value.
Never be an impulse buyer or seller of gold. There’s a ton of emotion wrapped up with gold. Whether it’s a piece that’s been in your family for ages or one that’s so beautiful that you’ve just got to have it, you may consider making off the cuff decisions. Take a step back. There are big prices involved with gold, so little mistakes can add up. Take the time to do it right.
Never leave any gold alone with a potential buyer or dealer. Always be present while your gold is being assessed. While you may have utter confidence in the reputation of your dealer, it’s still a potential risk. Things can get lost. Pieces can be misplaced. And worst, bad dealers may try to swap out similar looking jewelry.
What is the buyback policy at the seller you want to buy from? There are buyers who charge high prices for reselling gold, but they are not all this way. Think about how much it would cost to send things like gold bars that are bulky to dealers far from where you live. Never allow a dealer to retain physical possession of your gold once you’ve purchased it.
Always deal with a reputable dealer. There are many unscrupulous people out there who are in business one day and then gone the next. Ask your friends and family who they deal with and also do an online search to find out about a dealer’s reputation. This can help you avoid making a costly mistake.
It is easy to see why gold has always been such a highly regarded possession. Its beauty and value stands the test of time. Hopefully, you have learned more about gold and how to buy it. So take what you have learned and get started on your very own gold collection today.
