Everybody recognizes the value embodied by gold, something that has become even more true in light of recent economic difficulties across the globe. If the surging tide of gold is something you want to understand better, you need to spend some time studying the subject. The following information will provide you with a solid base of knowledge.
Use caution when buying your gold. Make sure that you are buying from a reputable seller. You can learn who you can trust by searching the Better Business Bureau website and other resources like it. If you attempt to buy your gold through online actions, pay special attention to the seller’s history.
You need to know what a karat is. Gold is a soft metal so it must be combined with other metals for durability. Each karat, which is 1/24 pure gold, tells you how much gold is in the alloy compared to other metals. A piece that has less than 10 karats cannot legally be called gold.
Before you buy gold, be sure you know exactly when it will be delivered to you. 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. The expected delivery date should be noted somewhere. Proceed with the order only if you get this confirmation.
Take precautions if you mail your items. There are a lot of mail-in services these days, and while they can be convenient, you need to protect yourself. Send the pieces through insured mail, take photographs and know the company’s policies in case they lose your gold pieces and you want a settlement.
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
Do not fall for the pressure that sellers may put on you. Sales pressure is commonly used when the seller is trying to pull a fast one on you. Always take some time to consider all of your options before investing in gold. This is especially true when buying over the Internet.
Check the prices of golds the day you plan to buy. This information is readily available online. Be aware that it is updated every day. Never pay in excess of 8% markup above the spot price. Anything more is unethical.
When selling your gold, realize that jewelers use a different scale system than others. For example, one ounce of gold will weigh 31.1 grams. Some businesses weigh by the pennyweight, which is 1.555 grams. Then, they purchase by the gram instead of the pennyweight, which can result in them underpaying you.
Gold is widely acknowledge to be a universal conduit through which personal wealth can be funneled, safeguarded and utilized. But, not everybody knows the best methods of maximizing their own market position. Hopefully after reading the above information, you are no longer one of them and are prepared to get the most from gold markets starting now.