If you were to want to add gold to your investment portfolio today without lugging around gold bars, would you know how to do that? Do you know all of your options for investing in gold? To learn some basics so that you can get started with gold investing, keep reading.
Do your research on the fee and commission structures for the dealer you are considering. Every dealer will have slightly different commission structures. Some may be more fair to you than others, so use it as a way to comparison shop against multiple dealers. This way, you can get the best deal for you possible.
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.
When deciphering the actual sales price of gold, you should understand the fees associated with selling gold. Dealers generally charge a commission of five to six percent for each ounce of gold sold. For example, if you are selling $100.00 worth of gold, the dealer will take $5.00 out of the proceeds for commission fees.
Avoid gold parties, unless you just want to have fun. For the most part, you aren’t going to get the full value of your jewelry, although participants often enjoy going because the parties are convenient and offer social interaction. Remember, the host has to get paid, as does the company buying the jewelry. That means that you are going to get less for your pieces.
If you decide to invest in gold, find out which type of gold is the best investment for you. Most investors buy gold bullion bars or gold coins. This type of gold requires a sizable investment. Gold bars are available in a wide variety of sizes from half an ounce to 400 ounces.
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.
Check out a number of gold buyers before making a deal. You’d be surprised in the variance of prices you’ll get offered. If you do not get several offers, you may not get the best price. Spend the required time to comparison shop before making any decisions.
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.
Be realistic about the price you want for your gold pieces. Remember that any buyer will want to earn a profit, so they will never pay you one hundred percent value for the gold you are selling. If they offer you seventy five or eighty percent of the value, they are usually giving you a fair deal.
The gold value of a piece of jewelry will never be equal to the amount you paid for it. That is because the gold is not pure and is diluted by alloys. The jewelry will need to be melted down to separate the gold from whatever other material it was mixed with.
Consider the long-term value of gold as an investment, if you are in the financial position to do so. Rather than buying low and selling as soon as the price increases, hold onto your gold. Over the years your wealth will accumulate for retirement or give you something precious to leave to your children.
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.
Do not buy gold coins that are for sale at the pawn shops in your area. Chances are you will pay a lot more for them here than you would anywhere else. It is best to look for a reputable gold dealer to do business with, so you know you are getting the best deal.
This article has described some great strategies you need to know for gold investing. Surely you now feel more comfortable about investing in gold to help diversify your financial portfolio. Use the information that has been given to you so that you can plan and strategize in the right direction.
