Investing in gold is smart and can bring diversity to your portfolio. But like any type of investing, you can’t go into it blindly. You need to learn what you can about it. Continue reading to learn how you can include gold in your investment strategies.
When it’s time to sell off gold, you should always deal with trustworthy buyers. You can find out if they’re trustworthy by looking at the BBB reviews. A good buyer is going to give you a good price, and will provide you with superior customer service too. Doing this protects your investment.
Have an idea about what you are selling before you sell. Some jewelry is worth more as is than it is melted down. If a buyer tries to offer you the melted down weight value of the gold, they might not be making a fair offer. Know if you have a popular designer or valuable stones before making your sale.
If you think your gold has high value, have it appraised before going to make a sale. An appraiser is more likely to give you an accurate value for your pieces, while a seller might low ball you to get a better price. Bring your appraisal certificate with you when selling to ensure you’re making a fair deal.
When mailing your gold away for sale, make sure to read all the fine print before sending it in. Some buyers have less than stellar reputations, and you will not see this until you read the fine print. Make sure you are comfortable with all the terms you are agreeing to, or look to another location to sell your gold.
Avoid gold coins that are being sold at flea markets and local pawn shops. They may seem like a great deal, but all that glitters is not gold. The coins may be counterfeit and/or they may have been cleaned to make them appear far more valuable than they actually are.
If you’re interested in buying gold from a dealer, make sure he is reputable. Avoid doing business with anyone who doesn’t have at least 10 years of experience in the business, because that’s one of the most important prerequisites to have. Someone who has been around for a decade is likely to be trustworthy and knowledgeable enough to make you money.
If you’re buying gold pieces for investment reasons, stay away from proof coins. These coins are polished and mounted, and they can sometimes be worth more than regular coins. The problem is, proof coin value only matters to collectors, and it can vary on a daily basis. For investment only purposes, stick with regular coins.
If you are thinking about becoming a buyer or seller of gold, make sure you are legal! In the United States, you must have a license to purchase, sell or trade gold in any quantities on a regular basis. Check with your city or town about how to become licensed, and then enjoy your new entitlement to dealing in gold.
Check your local Better Business Bureau before purchasing or selling gold to a dealer. Your local Better Business Bureau will have a record of any complaints lodged about a company. By checking with your Better Business Bureau, you can ensure that you are selling or buying from a reputable dealer.
If you go to a gold party, talk to the person who organizes it to figure out how they calculate the value of the gold sold. Many items are stamped. A visual cue may not be available so other methods are used to figure it out. The most simple test involves the use of acid. If the company claims to use that type of test, it may be an indication that they are not as experienced with accurate testing methods.
Be a comparison shopper. Each gold dealer will make different offers. It may depend on their commission set up or the flexibility in their fees. But you won’t see the benefit of this unless you shop around. Don’t stop at the first place and call it a day. You may be making a bad deal for yourself.
You don’t have to own gold to invest in it. Buy shares in traded or mutual gold funds or invest in some gold mining stocks. If you’re buying bars or gold coins, think about the cost storage when making your purchase.
You can sell your gold through the mail. It’s an easy and quick way to sell your gold. You ship your jewelry in a prepaid envelope, and then you receive a check. The price of this convenience, though, is that you will be paid considerably less for your gold. Be aware of the fact that you may receive approximately 30% less in some instances.
Pawnshops are always an option when it comes to selling your gold. One nice thing about pawnshops is you can usually buy your items back if you have seller’s remorse in a few days or weeks. However, some pawnshops are more reputable than others, so look up customer reviews online before heading over.
To benefit from the upside potential in gold, consider gold index funds. They are easily traded on the exchanges. For instance, the CBOE Gold Index roughly tracks the price of gold, both up and down, by trading gold mining companies. There exchange traded funds that trade on gold futures contracts, but those tend to be quite volatile.
Check online reviews before you head to the store and spend any of your hard earned money on gold. Make sure that there are not a ton of complaints since this increases the likelihood you will have a bad experience. You should also check with the BBB to be even more sure.
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.
Hopefully, you now can see the value gold has in your portfolio. This strategy can help fill in the gaps between your savings and stocks. Gold is a great investment; however, there is risk involved.
