Historically speaking, gold has always been something of a universal indicator and measure of wealth. The economic downturn of recent days has generate renewed interest in gold as a solid investment vehicle among individuals of all financial backgrounds. The piece that follows below is meant to help you learn how buying and selling gold can benefit you.
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.
Have an understanding of gold prices. Precious metal prices vary from day to day and it’s best to check the price before selling or buying gold. There are different percentages owed based on the sizes of gold you own.
Never overlook gold scraps. If you happen to have small pieces of gold sitting around, keep them together to sell at a future time. This can be scraps from an old pair of earrings or any other piece of jewelry. Even a few ounces can be some serious cash back in your pocket.
Do you have an allergy to nickel? If so, you are better off getting jewelry that has a higher gold content, like 18 or 22 karat gold. Items that have a higher gold content are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. You should also stay away from gold plated jewelry.
Do not go to a pawn shop if you have gold to sell. You will not get as much for your gold as you would if you went to a gold dealer. A pawn shop will try to give you the minimum amount so they can make the maximum profit.
Get an appraisal if you do not know the value of your gold jewelry. The up front cost is significant, but it can give you a better estimate of value. In order to have it valued most accurately, go with an appraiser who is accredited and independent. 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.
Protect yourself from dishonest people who are trying to steal your identity. One way to ensure that you are protected is to purchase gold locally from a reputable dealer. Never give your personal information out over the phone, including your Social Security number and credit card information, unless you are certain that it is a reputable company.
Be very wary of anyone that claims to be able to offer you rare and valuable coins at dropdown prices. The reality is that no one is going to give you something for nothing. The coins you are being offered are probably not as valuable as they are making them out to be.
If you’re selling gold jewelry, make sure you know about karats. Pure gold is very soft, so it’s mixed with other metals for color and durability. The FTC or Federal Trade Commission requires that all sold U.S. gold jewelry must describe the alloy’s karat fineness. A single karat equals 1/24 of pure gold via weight. For instance, 14 karats jewelry is 14 parts gold and 10 parts different metals. Jewelry can’t be sold as “gold jewelry” if it’s less than 10 karats.
Always identify the karat value of your jewelry when you walk into the store to sell it. Some dealers will try to convince their customers that the karat value of a piece is lower than it actually is, and this results in less money in the consumer’s pocket. Have a clear understanding of your piece’s actual weight so this doesn’t happen to you.
You can still invest in gold without physically owning any. You might invest in an ETF or an individual gold mining stock when buying gold stocks. Before you buy bars and coins, you must also consider how much it will cost to store your gold.
Get multiple bids before deciding on the final offer that you’ll take. The logic is simple: every dealer will offer something different. You want the best possible price for your gold, so you owe it to yourself to get at the minimum three bids prior to a final decision. It can turn a good deal into a great one.
Gold has long been prized for its ability to serve as a stable, known repository of personal wealth. With curiosity in gold markets reaching fever pitch in recent years, it really does pay to possess a good amount of knowledge on the topic. Use the information presented above and get the most value from your own foray into the market for gold.
