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Best Place To Buy Gold Online?

In this article, we have compiled all the information you need about buying gold online, best place to buy gold online and things to keep in mind while doing so.

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Best Place To Buy Gold Online
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As an investor, you always need to be on the lookout for opportunities that could impact your portfolio positively. Diversity is the name of the game as you don't want to be too dependent on any one asset.

Not going the diverse route means if your main asset should suffer, you'll have nothing special to fall back on. Gold investments are a great consideration for someone adopting this mindset, and recent bank failures have drawn more investors to gold and silver.

While there are gold and silver instruments in places such as the stock market that you can invest in, buying physical precious metals is often preferred as it offers you a measure of stability that you probably wouldn't get otherwise.

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The challenge is, where are you meant to buy the gold and silver coins from? You may hear names such as Goldco, Augusta Precious Metals, Money Metals Exchange, and more being thrown around, but what does the data say?

You've come to the right place, as you'll learn quite a bit about investing in gold as well as the best place to buy gold and silver online.

Quick Access to the Best Online Gold Dealers

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Before You Buy Those Gold Coins, How Do You Verify the Reputation?

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Many dealers sell gold, but that doesn't mean you can trust them enough to buy into what they're selling. Unfortunately, unscrupulous parties are looking for investors to swindle them out of their hard-earned money, which is the kind of outcome you want to avoid.

Two of the clearest indicators of reputable dealers are return policies and refund policies. The time you're given to act on your dissatisfaction should be reasonable. Additionally, you may want to find out about restocking fees, if they exist. Apart from these, keep the following in mind:

  1. A clear pricing model is always a plus. While some companies may not display their fee structure on the site, you should at least be able to call in and get a customer service representative to guide you to the details you need.

  • The best gold dealers have history. Therefore, you will usually be able to check reviews and transactions. Sure, you can't completely rely on these since some may be fabricated, but they do help.

  • What are the payment options available? In most cases, standard options such as card, PayPal, wire transfer, and check will be present. Ensure your preferred one is there.

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    1. Reputable companies will often give a risk disclosure to help you understand the potential negatives of the investment.

    Why Is Buying Gold a Good Investment?

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    Investing in gold can have a lot of potential benefits. If it didn't, you wouldn't see it being such a popular investment option.

    First, it makes an excellent hedge against inflation. After all, it's not tied to the value of Fiat currencies. That's because while banks can always print money when they want to, there's no making more gold. Whether it's standard or rare coins, there's a limited quantity out there.

    Next, if you're looking for a good alternative to the stock market, you may just have found it. Remember that your coins don't earn any dividends or interest, so there's no concern surrounding paying taxes on them until it's selling time.

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    Bear in mind though that things are different if your investment method is that of a gold IRA. When you have one of those, taxation isn't a factor until you withdraw the money at retirement. However, if you opt for an early withdrawal, you will lose your tax benefits and there is also the matter of any penalties that you may face.

    Depending on where you are, you may be able to use your gold coins as a form of currency. While this is less popular than it was decades ago, there are still countries that will accept this.

    Pinning Down the Best Place to Buy Gold Online

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    By now, you have a fundamental idea of the kind of things you should be paying attention to as you attempt to choose a dealer to buy gold coins from. Investment is quite delicate, after all, and you don't want to get it wrong.

    Furthermore, some people don't realize that there isn't a one size fits all approach to this. While several dealers are known to be great, there may be that one thing that another option does better.

    The best place to buy gold and silver online is the one that is best for your unique situation. For example, you may find that having a high net worth means getting a better experience with a given dealer.

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    You really need to only keep three major players in mind, which are covered below.

    Best for Gold IRAs: Goldco

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    As far as a great reputation goes, you'd be hard-pressed to find many dealers that have had the same kind of impact on the market that Goldco does. With 16 years of experience, you can rest assured knowing you're in the capable hands of industry experts.

    While many investors will flock toward the gold IRA options, you can also buy gold and silver coins and bars from Goldco too. If you are going the latter route, then you're no longer limited to just IRA-eligible gold coins and can choose whatever pleases you for your investment.

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    Look no further than the excellent Trustpilot ratings to get a feel for what Goldco does for its client. There's also an A+ Better Business Bureau rating to complement this.

    The company also has a much-appreciated buyback policy, which claims to offer the best prices available, meaning you have somewhere to turn when you want to resell.

    If you're looking to start a gold IRA and receive expert guidance and support, this is the place to turn to.

    Pros

    1. Industry experience

    1. Great customer reviews

  • Buyback program

  • Cons

    1. Palladium and platinum are not on offer

    Best Gold Dealer: American Hartford Gold

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    Another of the best companies to buy gold from is American Hartford Gold. Founded in 2015, the family-owned business, like Goldco, has delivered excellent service to its client. It also boasts great Trustpilot reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

    One of its most outstanding claims to fame is the educational side of things. Not all precious metals investors have an idea of what the landscape looks like, and having guidance is always welcomed. The learning tools include market news, commentary, articles, interactive charts, and a well-designed gold and silver information guide.

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    You'll find an incredible selection of gold and silver coins and bars bearing different origins and weights. If you are interested in an IRA, some of these are from accepted gold bullion coin mints with the right composition, making them eligible.

    As far as storage goes, the company doesn't try to bind you to a facility, though it will make recommendations. This is where you'll get the best overall experience.

    Pros

    1. Great education resources

  • Tremendous customer reviews

  • Up to $10,000 in free silver if the requirements are met

  • Family owned

  • Cons

    1. The buyback program is not guaranteed

  • Pricing is only accessible via a call to a representative

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    Best Company to Buy Gold from for High Net Worth: Augusta Precious Metals

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    You may be wondering why Augusta is recommended for high-net-worth individuals, and it starts with the purchase threshold. You will need to commit a minimum of $50,000, whether you wish to start a gold IRA or buy the gold with cash.

    Bear in mind that you are allowed to buy whatever combination of the company's products that appeals to you. Compared to this, the ask for annual and initial fees is minimal, and there are no hidden fees to think about.

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    If you can meet the purchase requirements, then you'll have access to one of the widest selections of precious metals on the market in the form of gold and silver coins and bullion. Apart from the standard versions, there are also premium gold and silver coins to enjoy, which are always appealing to those looking to make their holdings a little more diverse.

    You also get access to Augusta Precious Metals' lifetime customer support. This translates to the company's spending time on its customers in the wake of paperwork assistance, education, and more. Just imagine being consistently plugged into a network of industry professionals with a wealth of knowledge.

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    Pros

    1. Great selection of precious metals

  • Lifetime support

  • Emphasis on education

  • Cons

    1. The financial barrier to entry is high

  • Learning prices requires reaching out to a representative

  • Signs Online Gold Dealers May Be Up to No Good

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    As indicated before, not every gold coin dealer will be as above board as you would like. There are some so-called dealers out there just looking for the chance to scam you at the earliest possible opportunity.

    Believe it or not, the most popular attempts at scamming come in the wake of attempting to sell you fake gold. This is especially true for online purchases and those made over the phone. Protect yourself by sticking to the recommended dealers. Other scams to bear in mind include:

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    • Unwarranted pricing, which bases the final prices on what you're willing to pay

    • Partial delivery, which sees unsuspecting buyers only get a portion of what was ordered

    Is Buying Gold from Multiple Dealers Allowed?

    Physically, nothing is stopping you from buying gold from multiple dealers if you so desire. There isn't even anything stopping you from a legal standpoint. However, remember that each reputable gold dealer will have its advantages, so you need to be very careful if you want to avoid giving yourself the short end of the stick.

    Pay attention to the benefits, transparent pricing, reviews, ratings, etc.

    How Does Storage Work After You Buy Gold Coins?

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    Some people have their precious metals with them while others will lean on the services of a depository. If you have a gold IRA, storing the metals at home is not an option, as the IRS forbids it. Should you choose to do it anyways, then the holdings will be treated as an early withdrawal. Additionally, you could face penalties.

    If you're just buying the gold though, then you could choose whatever safe place you think is best. Of course, you will very likely not be able to provide the same kind of security that a depository can so if thieves were to try to break in, they would have a much easier time.

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    Should you choose to go with a safety deposit box at the bank or a depository, there will be a recurring fee, but at least you'll have peace of mind. Depositories, for example, have insurance, which means that as unlikely as it is for your precious metals to be stolen or otherwise lost, if it should happen, you are covered.

    If you're the kind of person who really doesn't have a preference, consider using the depository just because it's the safest option out there.

    Should You Buy Gold Bars or Coins?

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    This question tends to come from the newer investors the most. They know that gold bars and gold coins are available, but which of the two is recommended? This will depend highly on your budget, preferences, and unique situation. If you want a quick comparison, here's what the bars offer:

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    • Multiple weights and sizes

    • The less expensive manufacturing process

    • Less cost to hold longer

    • Any budget is welcome

    • Less of a premium than coins

    • Less flexible and portable

    • Typically harder to resell

    On the side of the coins, this is what you should expect:

    • More portability

    • Much higher liquidity

    • Lots of variety

    • Less market risk

    • Collectible

    • Better for trading and exchanging

    What Are Some of the Risks of Buying Gold?

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    As you've gathered, gold can be a wonderful investment. That being said, like many things, it doesn't come without downsides. So, here's a quick run-through of the ones that you may want to keep in mind:

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    • There's no passive income earning. While dividends are paid on savings accounts, stocks, and bonds, unless the collectible value of your popular gold coins increases, don't expect value appreciation.

    • Whether you are buying or selling gold coins, there will be transaction fees to deal with. You usually see this in the premium that dealers will put on the spot prices for ounces or grams of gold. These premiums are even higher if the demand for a gold coin is high.

    • The storage concern is a big one, and it's up to you to find as secure an option as possible. If you are going to be using a depository, then you'll need to consider the annual charges that you will need to deal with.

    • If you want to sell your goals, then whatever profits you make will be subject to capital gains tax. Most investors will deal with a tax rate of 15% or 20%. If you own stock market investments, then the same amount will need to be paid on holdings you've had for at least a year.

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    Is Buying Gold the Only Way to Invest in It?

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    You've likely gathered by now that there are multiple ways to invest in gold, and the point of this section is to briefly talk about a couple of them. The first is, of course, where the bulk of the decision has been taking place, which is simply buying the physical gold.

    This sees you own the asset and use the storage option you are most comfortable with. While it is a great option, your profit percentage will depend on your ability to resell for a comfortable price.

    If you're most concerned with your retirement, then you also have the option of going the gold IRA route. These work the same way as their standard IRA counterparts, with the difference being the underlying asset. You get the same kind of tax benefits too, and similar penalties apply for early withdrawals.

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    Only IRS-approved gold coins may be used in this scenario, but the gold IRA company you choose will provide the necessary guidance in this regard.

    Of course, there doesn't need to be any gold buying since you can also go the route of gold-based stocks, futures, and ETFs if you so desire.

    The Physical Gold Buying Process

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    Buying physical gold online isn't too difficult, but if your investment background is in stocks, for example, then the experience here is a completely different one. Here's a quick look at what the process will look like.

    The first step is to decide what coins or bars you want to buy. As you're doing this, you want to be thinking of the gold's weight, purity level, collectible value, and whether you want proof or bullion coins. The mint is also a factor, as you want reputable producers such as the Royal Canadian Mint.

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    You'll want to pay attention to the different pricing offers that you get from different dealers at this point. In most cases, the pricing isn't too dissimilar, but there are often spot premium variances that they'll charge as they are trying to make a profit. Think about the different prices for the different dealers, as well as what you'll need to pay in storage.

    Next, you'll need to pay for the purchase. Online gold dealers will typically accept wire transfers, credit cards, checks, PayPal, and Bitcoin. Note that you can often secure a 4% discount when you pay by wire since there are no processing fees to speak of.

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    Different dealers will also have different payment policies that you'll want to keep aware of. For example, if you buy over a certain threshold, you may find that the payment options available to you become more limited.

    Now You Know the Best Places to Buy Gold!

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    Obviously, the decision to buy gold is not one that you should be taking lightly. One of the initial concerns is the investment method that you'll be going with. The focus here was on buying physical gold, which is one of the more direct investment approaches.

    If you are planning to go this way, then you'll realize that there's a lot to think about. For example, which dealer are you planning to use? Remember to use the reputation indicators such as price information and reputation to determine which direction to go.

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    You'll also want to think about the benefits of one dealer vs another. For example, Augusta Precious Metals is great for those on the higher net worth side of the fence since the minimum purchase threshold is so high. If you can meet it, however, then the benefits are worth it.

    If you want, you can also mix different gold investments, or opt for different ones altogether. Perhaps buying gold is not your thing and you'd rather go the IRA route as you focus on your retirement. Alternatively, perhaps less direct options such as ETFs or futures are more appealing.

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    Just ensure you think about the nuances of your situation, and what you're trying to achieve with the direction you go.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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    Is It Hard to Buy Precious Metals Online?

    No. The process is very straightforward, provided that you've chosen a reputable dealer. Most of it involves you deciding what appeals to you most. Just be sure to verify the payment methods accepted to ensure that there's at least one that's convenient for you.

    What Should You Be Thinking About When You Want to Buy Gold and Silver Coins from a Company?

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    For the most part, you want to think about your investment goals. If retirement is at the top of your mind, then an IRA may be the best option for you. Apart from that, consider the reputation indicators. Does the company have a good reputation? Is pricing information accessible? Can you see evidence of transaction history?

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    Is It Safe to Buy Gold Bullion Coins Online?

    Yes. Provided that the dealer you choose is reputable such as the recommended options in Goldco, American Hartford Gold, or Augusta Precious Metals.

    Is It Legal to Store Gold at Home?

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    Buy Gold Online

    It's legal if the gold isn't associated with an IRA. The IRS provides IRA-based holdings from being stored at your home.

    What Can Cause Fluctuations in Gold Prices?

    Gold's market value is impacted by the state of the economy, as well as the supply and demand at any time.

    Disclaimer:

    The above is a sponsored post, the views expressed are those of the sponsor/author and do not represent the stand and views of Outlook Editorial.

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