Given its historical place of honor among valuable commodities, it is easy to understand why gold continues to be of immense interest to investors of all levels. Unfortunately, not everyone who wishes to get involved in gold markets has sufficient know-how to do so successfully. The article that follows is meant to remedy that situation for interested readers.
When you go to sell your gold, make sure your expectations are not too high and bring your government-issued identification. On average, gold dealers pay between 70 and 80 percent of the actual value. The law requires that dealers ask sellers for identification when buying gold to aid police in their investigations about stolen property.
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.
Before actually purchasing a piece of gold jewelry, shop around. More expensive jewelry stores will charge you an arm and leg. However, the same piece of jewelry can sometimes be found elsewhere for a much lower price. You can even tell a jeweler that you saw the piece for cheaper and you may be able to negotiate with them.
Check spot prices before you buy. This information can be found on various websites, although they tend to fluctuate each day. Never pay any more than an 8 percent markup on the gold prices. Some sellers try charging more, but that’s overcharging, which is generally unethical.
Check your local Better Business Bureau before purchasing or selling gold to a dealer. Your local Better Business Bureau will have a record of any complaints lodged about a company. By checking with your Better Business Bureau, you can ensure that you are selling or buying from a reputable dealer.
While some people like the idea of purchasing gold in coins or bars, the cost is very high. It is also not advisable to keep valuable coins or bullion in your possession unless you have a very secure safe. Having personal possession of a few gold coins is only a good idea if you know you can keep them secure.
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.
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.
You may be able to find antique jewelry at resale shops or antique stores that can be sold for more than you paid for it. Make sure to check the gold stamp to determine if it is 24K. This means the gold content is relatively high and you will be able to sell it at a higher price.
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.
Never sell gold simply for the sake of selling it. Gold prices are always going up. Even though it has been high lately, it could eventually get even higher. The longer you can hold your gold, the more profit you can make on it.
You must understand what is meant by a karat when you are buying or selling gold. Gold is a relatively soft metal so it is normally mixed with other metals to improve durability. A karat is the measure of how much of your metal is gold. Twenty-four karat is almost pure gold while ten karat is about half gold.
Find out what your seller’s buyback policy is. Some buyers will charge you a fee to sell your gold. Consider if sending the item by mail or going to a local place is more logical. You don’t want to purchase gold only to leave it with the dealer.
Gold has a long and storied history when it comes to preserving and building personal wealth. The best way to get involved in gold markets in prudent fashion is to study several fundamental concepts and methods. It is our hope that the facts presented above have given readers a great resource for doing just that.
