Investors concerned with recent financial uncertainty the world over have recently turned to gold markets in record numbers as a way to secure their personal wealth. But, not everyone has a sufficient grasp of the principles of gold buying and selling necessary to make smart decisions. The advice and guidance that follows is meant to help correct that problem for curious readers.
The price of gold tends to fluctuate over time. It is smart to buy when gold prices are very low and then hold on to it. Don’t panic and sell if the price goes up and comes back down. Investing in gold over a long period of time can really end up paying off.
Be aware of any fees that are attached to the transaction of buying gold. Online purchases come with several types of fees. You may suffer from a markup of as much as ten percent from the dealer. Read all of the fine print to learn about any and all fees that are related to the purchase
Regardless of where you are selling your gold, you will be asked for your driver’s license or some other form of identification. Make sure you have it on you when you go to make the transaction. If you are preparing to sell and you don’t get asked for your ID, that should raise a big red flag.
If you have an interest in gold and also want to start your own business on the side, combine the two passions. Collect scrap gold from various sources, like friends and classified ads, and learn how to treat and melt the pieces into pure or near-pure gold. You can easily find a buyer for your end-product and repeat the process!
Before taking your gold to sell, research the buyer. Most reputable dealers will be members of the American Numismatic Association. These dealers are held to a higher standard of ethics and must follow certain criteria when purchasing gold from individuals. To ensure you get the most money for your gold, make sure to use a dealer who is part of this association.
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.
Keep your gold investing to yourself. You may not know who is overhearing you, or who is trustworthy. Keep it to yourself and protected, either with a decent home safe or in a bank. This keeps your gold hidden and secure, as it is a very valuable investment you want to protect.
When selling gold, it pays to shop around. This includes checking with several dealers both locally and nationally. To get the most bang for your buck, ask what fees will be assessed during the sale. Just because a dealer is offering to pay more per ounce, does not always equate to more money in your pocket. This extra money can be ate up by fees and commissions.
Do not purchase gold jewelry with the idea that it is an good investment. Because the gold in jewelry is not pure, it is unlikely it will ever be worth its purchase price. A much safer choice for investing in gold is to purchase gold coins, bullion or gold stocks.
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.
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.
When purchasing gold coins, it is important to buy from a reputable dealer. Whether you purchase from a seller specializing in gold coins or from a government mint, you want someone who is honest. To help you get the best deal on a coin, always comparison shop before buying a gold coin.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate a little bit with your gold dealer before selling or buying. There’s typically a little wiggle room in the prices that are offered to you, so take advantage of it. This is a major advantage of a face-to-face sale over one that’s done over the Internet.
Do your math before walking into a gold selling situation. You need to have an idea of what your gold is potentially worth. If you don’t and the dealer senses that, chances are you’ll receive a lowball offer. Do yourself a favor, and don’t put yourself in that situation. It only costs you money.
Always try to buy gold from a dealer with whom you are familiar. Developing a business relationship with a specific dealer you trust will increase your confidence when buying or selling gold. Purchase gold coins and bullion bars that have a known value based on gold prices each day.
There is no disputing the massive surge in gold markets experienced in recent years, due in large part to the upheavals seen in other investment sectors. To invest wisely in gold, it pays to acquire solid knowledge of the topic in advance. Use this article as a resource going forward, and you will have what it takes to succeed.
