For centuries upon centuries, the allure of gold has attracted people. Even today, many people find gold to be one of the most attractive investments around. If you are thinking about putting your money into gold, you need to make sure that you understand the risks involved. Keep reading to learn more.
Try to only buy and sell your gold to certain dealers that are recognized through official gold and money associations. These dealers must follow strict guidelines under these organizations to ensure that you get fair compensation or quality pieces. One such well-known organization is the ANA or American Numismatic Association.
If you have a particularly nice piece of jewelry, you may be able to get more money for it as is rather than selling it to someone to melt down. This is particularly true if the item was made by a popular designer. Investigate your options before you just go forward with a sale.
Be sure to consult the spot price on the day when you plan to purchase gold. Many websites update this information daily. Never buy something listed at more than ten percent of the spot price. Some dealers are going to try and charge you more, but don’t pay it.
All investments come with a certain amount of risk, and gold is no different. To help limit your risk when selling gold, ask for referrals from friends or family members who have sold gold in the past. They may be able to steer you toward a reputable gold buyer.
Before going to a gold party, find out which company will be buying your jewelry. Research the company ahead of time by taking a look at their website and finding out how long they have been in business. You can also check the Better Business Bureau to see if they are on there or have any reviews.
Have your gold weighed out in the open, in front of you. If a dealer wants to take your piece to the back of the store, beware. Some less than ethical dealers will use a bait and switch, or they will tell you the pieces weigh less than they actually do. This means less money in your pocket, and it amounts to an unfair deal.
Investigate with the Better Business Bureau before selling your gold to any purchaser. They have rudimentary information about listed businesses, as well as reviews from clients who have traded with them. Pay special attention to any complaints and if they were resolved or not. If a business has a lot of customer complaints or unresolved complaints, avoid using them.
Read the terms and conditions of any gold mail-in service. These operations tend to have a lot of fine print, some of which can really work against you if there are any issues down the line. Before choosing this route, read everything you can so that you avoid as many potential pitfalls as possible.
Understand fees and commissions when buying investment gold pieces. Most reputable dealers will charge between five and seven percent. You need to realize this cost incurred to make sure you are still getting a good deal on the pieces you are buying, based on their true value at the time of purchase.
It can be tempting to take the first offer for your gold, but don’t always jump at it. What might be a piece of scrap gold to someone, might be an antique or catch the interest of a collector. Doing a little research before selling your gold can really end up paying off.
While ETFs are a great way to trade in gold, nothing is like owning real gold. There are downsides to this, of course, such as the difficulty you will face if you need to sell the gold fast, plus the cost upfront is often large. Once six years have passed, though, it ends up being cheaper than an ETF.
Get a real idea of what you’ve got prior to a sale. Yes, reputable gold dealers will give you need to know information like the karat weights of what you have. But they aren’t in the business of giving you intel on whether they are offering a good deal. That’s up to you to figure out.
Do not get into a bidding war over gold pieces on online action sites. In the spirit of competition, you may end up paying excessively for a piece that is not worth it. Go into each separate auction with a clear understanding of how much you are willing to pay for the gold.
Never buy gold from a telemarketer. These cold call sellers may use high-pressure sales tactics and inflated assertions about the potential for returns on gold investments. The number of scams involving the purchase of gold is increasing. Only buy gold from reputable dealers and insist on getting physical possession of the gold.
One of the best ways to get cash for unwanted gold items is to deal with a local dealer or pawn shop that specializes in buying gold. When you sell locally, you will avoid the risk of your gold items being lost in transit. A local jeweler is also a good option.
Gold that has fewer stones are more valuable than gold containing many stones. This is because a jeweler must remove each stone before sending the item to the refinery. Additionally, jewelry that has several colors of gold is worth less than standard gold. Such jewelry is also known as Black Hills Gold.
When you are buying gold coins, avoid buying them on eBay. It is easy to get “gold fever” and get caught up in a bidding war on eBay. You should not pay more than a five percent premium for these gold coins. In addition, eBay opens up too many opportunities for gold investment scams.
If you know what you are doing, an investment in gold can be a sensible part of your portfolio. However, too many people let themselves become seduced by the thought of owning gold, and do not make wise investments. Use the advice from this article to make wise investments in gold.
