Many people are scared about hyperinflation, and buy lots of gold as a hedge against this event. Unfortunately, dealing in the gold market is not foolproof, making it possible to confuse even experienced gold investors. Read on to learn all the details of the gold trade.
When selling gold, it is a good idea to get an estimated value from more than one source. Dealer prices vary by store. You’ll get a fairer price if you’ve gotten a few estimates.
Precious Metals
Be well informed about the value of precious metals before buying or selling gold. The values of precious metals fluctuate daily, so be certain you know the spot price before any transaction. You need to get ready to pay higher prices than mere melt value on fractional pieces as opposed to one-ounce pieces.
Always check out the up to date market value for gold before you seek your gold jewelry. Gold dealers cannot scam you out of money when you are informed about the value of your items. Though many deals will provide you with its true value, others will try to deceive you so they can get a better deal for themselves.
If you’re not sure about the value of your jewelry, you can have an appraisal done. Paying a professional to appraise your item is a good investment. In order to maximize reliability, make sure the appraiser is independent and accredited. Do not expect to get the full value of the appraisal, but you should try finding a buyer who will give you an amount as close to the appraisal as possible.
If you will be selling your gold, shop around for best prices. Prices paid will vary from shop to shop. Stores which are not centrally located may be able to give you a better price.
Before you ship gold jewelry to a buying service, find out whether you will be charged for return shipping. If you are not satisfied with the offer, you will have to pay this amount. Most companies will give you free shipping to them but charge you an arm and a leg for return postage. Be sure that you find out ahead of time how much it will cost to get back your jewelry.
When you try to sell gold, you must research the market to find the right price. Also, ask around to find out how much similar pieces are going for. This allows you to get an idea of what you should be asking for. Begin the negotiations by asking for more than you expect to receive.
Don’t sell your items to the first buyer you come across; always get a few quotes. You might just be shocked at the spread of offers you wind up getting! By picking the first dealer, you could get a horrible deal. Taking your time can really end up getting you the best deal out there.
A choice many people use when selling gold is to ship it through the mail. Although this process may be easier, you may not earn as much money. You obtain a prepaid envelope, put the jewelry in it, ship it, and get a check for it. Keep in mind that most of these companies do not pay as much money as other places. You might even take a thirty percent loss. Understand that going in.
Get to know any dealer you’re going to buy gold from. To ensure you are dealing with a trustworthy dealer, inquire with the area BBB. Get in touch with the BBB to find information about which complaints, if any, have been filed. If there have been complaints filed, consider using a different dealer.
Over the past decade, gold prices has quadrupled, which is great news for gold investors. The exact best time to really buy gold is not fully known, but it largely depends on how the dollar does. Usually, the price of gold goes up when the dollar’s value goes down.
To be a smart investor in gold pieces, learn how to test for the grade. Purity of cold is measured by karats. The higher the karats, the more pure and the more expensive it is per ounce. Never go by the stamp stating karat weight. If you can test the gold for purity, you aren’t going to pay too much for pieces of low quality.
Make sure you look into the buyback policy of a seller. Gold buyers sometimes charge premium rates in order to resell gold. Think of the logistics involved in mailing heavy packages of gold coins or bars to a dealer in another part of the country. It is best to take the gold as soon as you purchase it from your local dealer.
Gold Coins
Gold coins minted before 1933 are a good way to get some exposure in the gold market. President Roosevelt recalled all gold coinage in 1933. Until that time, they were used in daily commerce. However, a lot of people kept their gold coins which you can still buy from dealers today.
Know you aren’t going to get the full price for any gold you sell. Gold dealers work like most other businesses. Try to get the best deal you can while still making the price attractive to the buyer. Expect to receive offers that are 30 to 50 percent below the total value.
It is impossible to deny the critical role gold has long played as a means of securing and solidifying personal fortunes and even more modest levels of reserves. In order to successfully trade gold, however, one must know a great deal about the process. Hopefully, you now know what you need to do to get started.