If you are a burgeoning gold investor, you know the positive impact such decisions can have on your portfolio. Still, you have to be knowledgeable about all the options available to you. Read on to learn more on the many benefits of investing in gold.

Reputable Buyers

When selling gold, sell to reputable buyers. Check with the BBB and look at reviews online before you sell your gold to a buyer. Reputable buyers offer great customer service along with fair prices. This extra step makes sure that you are covered and paid appropriately.

Learn how precious metals are priced before you trade in gold. The prices of metals like platinum, gold and silver can fluctuate greatly in just one day. Before you do any buying or selling, check the market prices beforehand. If you have gold that does not weigh up to a full ounce, you may receive less than the melt value when selling it.

Sometimes the cost of gold causes buyers to go for cheaper imitation jewelry instead. You still can get gold jewelry items without spending a lot at a local jewelry store. Pawn shops and online sites have hundreds of gold pieces for sale.

Make sure that you understand the terms when sending jewelry back through the mail. Make sure you know when payment will be sent to you and insure your package as well. You can also protect yourself in case of any disputes by snapping some photos of your jewelry before sending it off.

Return Policy

When you buy gold for another, make sure it has a return policy. It is impossible to tell if a jewelry item will be well liked or suitable. By ensuring that the dealer offers a return policy, you can help protect yourself.

Check spot prices before you buy. You can see it on various sites and it usually changes every day. Paying for gold that is any higher than an 8% markup is not a wise investment. Many times sellers will try to sell it at a higher price.

If you’re going to ship your jewelry to a mail-order buyer, know how much return shipping is going to cost you in the event you don’t accept their offer. Even if you do not pay for shipping the gold initially, return shipping is an entirely different matter. By knowing this information ahead of time, you can prevent unnecessary charges.

Be aware of the true value of your items. Pieces that appear to be gold may not be worth gold’s weight. In many cases, additional metals have been mixed with the gold to strengthen it. This will lower the price. Items can also be plated with gold. Have your pieces appraised before sale to determine their value.

Research the market price of gold before you attempt to sell yours. Also, ask around to find out how much similar pieces are going for. You will get a realistic idea of what you can expect to receive for your jewelry. Start the bidding a bit above what you really want. That way, the buyer can negotiate a little.

Go over the fine print that’s in any sales contract. If you are selling gold by mail, this is even more important. You can then ascertain the amount of fees and commissions you will be charged.

After reading the above article you can probably see how gold can be a great benefit to your financial portfolio. Diversifying your portfolio with liquid assets and long-term investments is the best strategy. Use gold today to ensure your wealth.