The state of the economy has caused people to both purchase and sell gold these days. You may wish to use gold as a kind of safeguard for your investments. Read on to educate yourself about this market.
When buying gold, it is best to buy in larger weights. The more the gold weighs, the less you will pay per ounce. Take your time when buying gold to be sure to shop around for the best price for the weight that you are intending to buy to be sure you are investing wisely.
If you decide to go with a mail in service to sell your gold, make sure to have your items insured. If the items do not arrive at the buyer’s location, you could lose out on the entire value of your gold. By insuring the items, you are protecting yourself against loss or theft.
When you purchase gold, it’s important to set a fairly stringent schedule for delivery of your metal. If the seller does not provide immediate delivery, you must get some kind of writing from them confirming when you can expect to get your pieces. This should include the date the gold will arrive to you buy. Don’t buy without such a contract.
How heavy your gold is will determine how much money you get for each piece. However, some dealers are not very reputable and may try to pay you less than you are owed. Watch out for anyone who weighs your gold by the pennyweight but tries to pay you for grams instead.
Before you mail any jewelry to a particular company which purchases such items, be sure to do your homework and check out the company thoroughly before you do so. Know exactly how much money you can expect to receive, and make sure that the package you send them is insured. Make sure that you photograph each piece of gold you’re sending before you mail it off.
Avoid selling pieces whose worth is more than just the weight of the gold. The value of antique jewelry and rare coins can far outweigh the value of the gold. Also avoid selling pieces that are artistically crafted, jewelry that has gems and anything with sentimental value. The gold will be melted down before it is sold.
Get your jewelry appraised. Though you will have to pay a bit, knowing its value is crucial. An independent appraiser should be used in order to receive the best value. However, do not expect to receive the exact amount suggested by the appraisal when you sell the gold.
If you own gold or plan on buying some anytime soon, be sure to also invest in a good safe, unless you’re going to store it in the bank. Many financial institutions don’t insure their safe deposit boxes, so people tend to harbor gold at home. Get a solid safe, home security system and have the gold insured, for the safest keeping.
Be extra cautious when using a mail-away service for selling your gold. Always buy shipping insurance for your items. Know how long the dealer will hold your pieces before melting them, and know how long you have to accept or reject their offer. And keep an inventory with pictures of all the items you’ve sent.
Know what you’ve really got. Appearance alone is not an accurate gauge of the value of your gold. In many cases, additional metals have been mixed with the gold to strengthen it. This can lower the price. Also, some items may only be gold plated. When you don’t know what you’ve got, have it appraised ahead of selling it.
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.
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.
It is necessary to find a reputable dealer you can trust if you wish to purchase gold coins or bullion. Caution is required to avoid purchasing low quality gold from a scam artist. It can be extremely difficult to sell this gold at a later date and you will probably lose money.
The gold market is really on an upswing these days. When you understand the gold market, you can get the best deals available. Use these tips to achieve success.
