Gold is one of the most treasured materials in the universe. It is also one of the safest investments. You may be hearing a lot about gold on television and in the news, but wouldn’t you like to know how you can make money with it? Here are some tips that will help you buy, sell and trade gold like the pros.
Know the meaning of different karat weights when buying or selling gold. Twenty four karat gold is worth more than fourteen, which is worth more than ten. If you understand the differences, you can make sure that you buy or sell for a fair price based on the true value of the piece.
Before buying or selling gold, look into the market price for gold for the day. There are daily fluctuations on price for precious metals, so it’s important for you to know what the current going rate is. This will help you understand whether the dealer is overpriced or fair in the offers made to you.
Always do your homework to find an honest and reputable gold buyer. The BBB can be a great research, as can online customer reviews. A variety of bids will ensure that you receive the best price.
Why not make money selling your gold to online buyers? It is now easy to sell gold without having a physical store location. You can buy and sell your gold at many websites online. Simply contact the site you wish to do business with, and they will send you the packaging material to ship the gold you want to sell. If when they receive it, all is as they expected, you’ll get their current rate.
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.
When purchasing gold jewelry, ask the jeweler for a certificate of authenticity. This certificate is proof that you are purchasing a good piece of jewelry made of solid cold. Be sure the certificate indicates the price of the jewelry. Should you ever decide to sell your jewelry, this will be of help.
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.
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.
When considering mailing your gold away for sale, be certain you know how much return mail will cost should you change your mind. Most companies will advertise free shipping, but they often charge a lot to put the items back in the mail. It’s best to be prepared so you are not surprised by return shipping charges.
If you are buying or selling gold, a good place to advertise is online. Websites such as Craigslist and Ebay allow you to buy and sell gold at your own pace. These sites are usually free and very user friendly. Many people use these sites to find great deals and sell pieces at the price they want.
If you’re going to get into gold, plan ahead for it. As fun and rewarding as it may be, accumulating wealth is also a very stressful thing if you’re not prepared properly. Consider things like storage and insurance long before you get your hands on any gold, and avoid unnecessary headaches and worry.
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.
Read the terms and conditions of any gold mail-in service. These operations tend to have a lot of fine print, some of which can really work against you if there are any issues down the line. Before choosing this route, read everything you can so that you avoid as many potential pitfalls as possible.
Make sure you understand the buyback policy of your seller. Gold buyers sometimes charge premium rates in order to resell gold. When you are thinking about sending hefty gold bars or pieces to non-local dealer, consider the logistics. You don’t want to purchase gold only to leave it with the dealer.
As with a lot of investing, you should be thinking long-term when you go with gold. This means you rarely invest when prices are high. Actually, that’s the same for any investment. You will get the best price overall if you purchase gold all the time.
If you are selling gold, bring your I.D. with you. This is a requirement via Federal law. If your gold buyer doesn’t ask for I.D., this is a major red flag that something may not be right. If this happens, stop the deal if at all possible. It’s in your best interest.
Now that you’ve had the chance to read through all the tips in this article, you know more about how you can make money with gold. Gold is a precious metal, and it’s an even more precious investment. Use the information here to help you to make sure you use gold to your best benefit.