Thursday, July 26, 2012

Choose a Buyer Carefully When You Sell Your Gold



When you see half a dozen ads for gold buyers with each claiming to pay the highest price, the words tend to lose meaning. Gold prices fluctuate, and what you're able to get today may not be the same as what you would have received last week or what you could receive next week. Before you sell your gold, monitor gold prices to have an idea of what you can expect to receive for your jewelry.

Reputation is Key
Gold buyers range from the very honest to the very dishonest. With gold prices being so high, many unscrupulous players try to get in on the market. If a gold buyer has been around a long time, it's a good sign that they know what they are doing and they treat sellers fairly. With the internet it's easier than ever to check out buyers before trusting them with your jewelry.

Learn About Your Buyer's Standard Practices
Buyers who record on video the process of opening your package tend to be more honest. Your buyer should test and grade your items to determine the quality of the gold and then weigh them accurately. The best buyers insist on insured, trackable shipping and if you reject their offer, they will never send your items back without doing so securely. 

Can You View Your Offer Online?
Look for buyers who have a secure way for you to log into your account online and view your offer. This is a great convenience when you want to sell quickly. You should be able to see an itemized offer based on your items' karat and weight, and if you accept the offer, your settlement should be processed immediately. If you sell gold on multiple occasions you should be able to easily see your account history online.

Does Your Buyer Offer a Guarantee?
For sellers who choose to be mailed a check for their settlement, some buyers give you a specific window of time in which to change your mind. Buyers who offer a guarantee allow you to return your check and securely ship your items back to you.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Sell Your Gold Bracelets and Chains for Top Dollar on the Internet

Valued as both an investment and a decorative accessory, human beings have been mining for gold long before recorded history.  Archeologists have discovered gold jewelry and artifacts that date back to the 4th millennium B.C.  All these years later, gold has not lost its allure. In fact, it’s more popular than ever!

How do we know?

To satisfy a growing demand, world production of gold has risen in recent years.  About half of this gold is used to make jewelry, a market that is also growing.  Sales of auriferous accessories like bracelets, chains, and earring have been strong of late, which should push gold prices higher in the near future.

Is now the time to sell your gold?

Tens of millions of Americans own at least some gold. A small percentage of them collect coins or even gold bars, but most own it in jewelry form.  The most popular and sought after of the precious metals, gold can be used to make nearly any article of jewelry. It is the most ductile and malleable of all metals, which makes it the metal of choice for goldsmiths around the globe.

While there is really no such thing as unwanted gold, some jewelry owners decide to sell these ornaments, either because they need some quick cash or because the item no longer appeals to them.  Another possible explanation for these sales is that the items are broken and that it’s simply too expensive to get them fixed. But if they sell to a gold buyer that simply melts these items down, it doesn’t really matter if their jewelry is in bad shape.

Where to sell?

Until quite recently, pawn shops were the destination of choice for people who wanted to sell their gold bracelets and other jewelry.  Pawn brokers have been dealing in gold for centuries. They are experts in the examination and valuation of the precious metal.  The only problem is that they’re often hard to find.
Yes, if you live in a large city, you should be able to locate a nearby pawn shop. But if you reside in the suburbs or in a rural area, few towns have local pawn shops, since brokers tend to gravitate to large urban areas where there are more potential sellers.  Fortunately, there is a far more convenient way to sell your gold chains.

Why sell to us?

 It is often said that you can sell just about anything on the internet, and some people do. But others worry about the safety and security of the items they wish to sell, especially when they’re valuable.  Our professional gold buyers have worked with over 100,000 satisfied sellers. Here at GoldFellow®, we go the extra mile to ensure that each transaction comes off without a hitch.

How does it work?

Although jewelry made of precious metals account for the bulk of our purchases, we will also buy anything that contains silver, platinum, gold, or diamonds. Condition is not an issue, so don’t worry if a gold necklace is broken, tangled up, even tarnished.  The more precious metals and/or diamonds you send us, the higher the offer you will receive.
Best of all, we will pay for your shipping and insurance even if you decide not to sell to us. Simply use our Free Express Saver service.  Your valuables will be covered by insurance up to $2,500. All packages come complete with free tracking, so you will know where your package is at each stage of its trip.

As soon as the shipment arrives, we will test its karat quality, weigh it, and produce an itemized settlement.  We will then notify you via email to let you know what we are willing to pay for the items you send us. All you have to do then is log into your account on our website to view your payment amount. You can then either accept or reject our offer. If accepted, we can remit the necessary funds via Paypal, eCheck, wire transfer, or company check. If you reject it, we will return your shipment at our expense. It’s as easy as that! (Read more about us here)

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Is Cash for Gold a Good Idea?



Gold prices are high, and household budgets are tight. Thousands of people who need money are getting cash for gold and getting rid of jewelry they have no use for. But is it a good idea to sell your gold jewelry? If you have jewelry that you never wear and that doesn't hold sentimental value, then the answer may be yes. But before you do, thoroughly check out any business claiming to offer the highest price for your gold.

Reputation Is More Important than Ever
The internet allows people to set up businesses almost instantly, and this makes it very easy for dishonest people to create "businesses" that offer cash for your gold jewelry and then offer you an unfairly low price or simply take your items and disappear. The length of time a buyer has been in business is a clue to their business ethics. If a buyer has been around for years, they are probably operating legitimately.

Learn What Gold Buyers Will Accept
Never send anything unless you're sure your buyer accepts it. For example, some gold buyers accept coins and ingots and some do not. Some buyers purchase sterling silver and platinum, and some purchase specific gemstones. When it comes to gemstones, most buyers don't purchase anything other than diamonds of one-quarter carat or larger.

Find Out How Long You Have to Change Your Mind
Does a buyer you're considering offer a guarantee? Some buyers who pay by check give you a period during which to change your mind after you accept their offer. But others do not. Some buyers allow you to view your settlement offer online, and this is a great convenience if it is a secure website.

What Happens When You Reject an Offer?
Some buyers offer unrealistically low amounts when you sell your gold jewelry, and then try to bargain with you if you choose not to accept their offer. Who has time for that? Work with a buyer with a long track record and good reputation and you won't have to endure a back-and-forth haggling process if you choose to reject an offer.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

How to Sell Gold Safely



You don't have to watch financial shows around the clock to keep a reasonable eye on gold prices. Gold prices are high, but they do fluctuate. Ideally, you want to sell your gold while prices are trending upward. Checking gold prices daily online for a week or two will give you a picture of what gold is selling for. These prices will differ from what you will be offered when you sell gold, but they do provide some general guidance on what to expect.

Know What You're Selling
If you have ever thought, "I'd really like to sell my gold, but how do I know if what I have is worth selling," then you need to take a magnifying glass to your pieces of gold jewelry. Look for markings such as 8kt, 14kt, or 24kt. The higher the number, the more valuable your jewelry is. If your jewelry is marked with a decimal number, .585 corresponds to 14kt and .750 corresponds to 18kt. Again, the higher the number, the more valuable the jewelry. 

Find Out the Buyer's Policy on Silver
Some gold buyers purchase sterling silver jewelry and others do not. Never send an item of sterling silver unless you are certain your buyer accepts silver. Many buyers will purchase platinum, but make absolutely certain before sending any in. 

What Happens to Gemstones?
Most gold buyers won't purchase any gemstones other than diamonds that are at least one-quarter carat in size. Some buyers will return prong-set gemstones and others won't. If you want any gemstones back that your buyer won't purchase, make sure they have a policy of returning them or have them removed before selling your jewelry.

Shipping and Handling Policies are Very Important

Unfortunately, dishonest gold buyers prey on people who impulsively think, "I want to sell my gold" and rush to send in their jewelry. Never ship any jewelry without purchasing shipping insurance, and choose buyers who video record the opening of shipments. Your buyer should ship your items back to you safely and with insurance if you choose not to accept their offer. Knowledge is power when selling your gold, so educate yourself before accepting an offer.