You can buy precious metals from a variety of sources, both online and offline. Many specialized bullion dealers and precious metals retailers operate both online and with physical stores. They offer a wide range of products, including coins, bars, and rounds, in various metals and sizes.
Numerous online platforms specialize in selling precious metals. These platforms often have extensive inventories, making it easy to compare prices and products. Some well-known online dealers include APMEX, JM Bullion, Provident Metals, and SD Bullion.
Local coin shops also sell precious metals, including gold and silver coins, bars, and rounds. Visiting a coin shop allows you to see and inspect the products in person.
At a local coin store, you might find a variety of shiny goods, from bullion for the investors to rare numismatic treasures for the collectors. They usually offer services like appraisals, buying and selling coins, and sometimes they can even help you track down that elusive coin to complete your collection. Coin shops cater to both collectors and investors interested in acquiring rare, historical, or valuable coins, as well as individuals looking to sell or trade their coins.
Bullion investors and coin collectors share a common interest in coins and money. Precious metals have been used as money for thousands of years. Some coin shops deal primarily in modern coins, bullion, and precious metals, catering to investors who are looking to purchase coins for their intrinsic value. Others specialize in numismatic collectibles, offering a wide range of historical and rare coins from different time periods, countries, and denominations.
Customers can sell their coins and precious metals to the store, either individually or as part of a collection or portfolio. Some stores also help with bringing coin to auctions and assist with consignment sales. Coin stores can serve as a friendly neighborhood hub for local numismatists and investors to meet, discuss their hobby, and share knowledge. Some stores may also host coin club meetings, coin shows and other events.
Coin shops can provide appraisal services to determine the market value of a coin collections and bullion investments. This can be helpful for insurance purposes, estate planning, or selling a collection. Some coin shops are authorized dealers for third-party coin grading companies allowing for easy coin submissions to professionals for authentication, grading, and encapsulation.
Local gold and silver dealers are businesses that specialize in buying, selling, and trading precious metals. These dealers can range from small family-run shops to larger businesses with multiple branches. Local bullion dealers trade a variety of gold and silver products, including bullion coins, bullion bars, junk silver, jewelry and scrap. Most local dealers will both buy precious metals from individuals and sell to those looking to invest and they make a profit from the spread between the buying and selling prices.
Local dealers' prices for gold and silver products are usually based on the global spot price of the metals, with a markup to account for their overhead and profit. The markup can vary depending on the dealer, the specific product, and market demand. Buying from a local dealer allows face-to-face interaction, which some investors prefer, especially when making significant purchases. Unlike online purchases, buying from a local dealer means you receive the product immediately and there are no shipping fees or potential shipping delays. If you wish to sell back your gold or silver, a local dealer can provide a quick and straightforward way to do so.
Local dealers often have higher overhead costs than online dealers leading to slightly higher prices.
Pawn shops can be places to trade gold and silver, but whether they are a "good" place depends on your objectives and the specific circumstances. Pawn shops are often easily accessible in many towns and cities. If you need quick cash, they can provide an immediate solution. If you don't want to sell your gold or silver but need money, you can pawn it, getting a loan with the item as collateral. You then have the option to reclaim your item by repaying the loan and interest.
However, this convenience often comes with a higher cost. Pawn shops are in business to make a profit, and their primary clientele is often people in need of quick cash. As a result, they often offer prices below the market rate or spot price for gold and silver. If you're pawning your gold or silver, the interest rates can be high and if you don't repay the loan in time, you'll lose the metals.
"We Buy Gold" stores, often seen in shopping plazas or advertised on TV and radio, specialize in buying gold from the public and are usually easily accessible and provide a quick way for individuals to sell their gold or other precious metals. They typically offer on-the-spot payment, which can be useful for those in urgent need of cash.
However, like pawn shops, "We Buy Gold" stores operate to make a profit. They may offer prices that are below market rates, taking into account their overhead and profit margins. Not all "We Buy Gold" stores have equally knowledgeable staff. Some might not be equipped to differentiate between various purities or recognize more collectible pieces, potentially leading to undervalued offers. The price of gold and other precious metals fluctuates based on market conditions and without proper knowledge of current market rates, you might not realize if you're getting a fair offer. Many of these stores use high-pressure sales tactics to get individuals to sell their precious metals quickly, possibly at a lower rate than they could obtain elsewhere.
Many local jewelry stores buy, sell, or trade bullion, but it varies depending on the store. Established jewelry stores typically have expertise in assessing precious metals' purity and value. They have tools and methods for testing metal content.
Like pawn shops and "We Buy Gold" stores, jewelry stores are in business to make a profit. When buying from individuals, they might offer below the spot price of the metal to account for their overhead and profit margins. Bullion trading isn't the primary focus for many jewelry stores, so they might not offer as competitive rates as specialized bullion dealers.
It's wise to get offers or appraisals from multiple sources. This can include various jewelry stores, pawn shops, and dedicated bullion dealers.
While it's possible to trade bullion at jewelry stores, it's essential to be informed and cautious to ensure you're getting a good deal.