Best Online Gold Dealers

When choosing a gold dealer, look for one with a clear refund and return policy. Most give you a window of at least three days to express dissatisfaction. Pay attention to whether there is a restocking fee and, if so, how much.

Always make sure the dealer isn’t on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s RED List (Registration Deficient List) before you make a purchase.

Other things to look for to ensure you find a reputable company include:

• Established transaction history: One of the ways to determine whether you can trust a dealer is by looking at its transactions and customer reviews. Companies that have moved billions’ worth of metals have built up trust and good reputations. However, some customer reviews may be fabricated or otherwise dishonest, so make sure you don’t solely rely on those when deciding which company to use.
• Physical headquarters: Even if you complete the whole transaction over the phone or on a computer, confirm that the online dealer has a physical headquarters listed. This makes it easier to contact the company if you have any issues. Avoid dealers who only list a P.O. Box.
• Transparent pricing: Clear pricing on a company’s website is a plus, but this can be difficult to find (you might need to call a representative to get the most accurate and up-to-date prices). Companies that do not offer quick and transparent bid-ask prices can cause unfavorable delays that might result in a different price than you expected.
• Risk disclosures: The best gold dealers are upfront about the potential risks and realities of investing in precious metals, so look for a disclosure page that gives you the facts.
• Payment options: Online gold dealers commonly accept payments by credit card, check, money order, wire transfer, PayPal and Bitcoin. Be sure that your dealer accepts your preferred payment method.

Online gold dealers vs. local dealers

While online gold dealers are quite popular with gold investors, local dealers are viable options as well. Online dealers have the advantage of better pricing and more inventory, but local dealers provide in-person customer service and give you immediate possession of your gold collectibles.

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of online and local gold dealers to compare.

Online gold dealers typically sell bars or rounds that range from as small as one-tenth of an ounce to a kilogram. The standard quality of gold fineness is 0.999, or 99.9% pure. Gold in its purest form is too soft to handle, so an alloy like copper is added to keep the shape of the gold bar or round intact.

In addition to gold bullion and coins, some of the most popular gold investments include mining stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). With all gold investments, the ultimate goal is to see the value of the metals increase over time and earn a net profit.

• Physical gold: Bullion can be purchased in the form of bars, ingots or coins made of gold. The U.S. Mint produces numismatic coins for collectors and proof coins for investors (in addition to circulating coins for commerce). Jewelry is another way to invest in gold — unique gold jewelry is often worth more than the value of the metal’s weight.
• Mining stocks: Mining stocks are a way to invest in companies that source gold through mines. With mining stocks, the value of your investment is tied to the companies as well as the value of gold. Raw gold is sourced from mines all over the world, including South Africa, Russia, China, Australia and parts of the United States.
• Gold ETFs or mutual funds: Gold exchange traded funds, or ETFs, are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, SIX Swiss Exchange, London Stock Exchange, Bombay Stock Exchange and Euronext. Gold ETFs track the value of the physical gold behind them. Gold mutual funds are issued with ETFs as their underlying asset. For example, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is a popular gold fund. For more, compare physical gold and ETFs.
• Individual retirement accounts: Gold and silver can be included as an option for retirement planning. If you're interested in IRA options for investing in gold or silver, read more about gold IRAs.

Gold is a commodity

Any basic good used in commerce is a commodity. Historically, gold and other precious metals (such as silver and palladium) have functioned as both currency and commodity.

Gold is different from other commodities in that it can also have sentimental or collectible value, which makes pricing somewhat subjective. Gold is more valuable than copper, tin or lead because of its rarity, malleability and resistance to corrosion.

» MORE: Gold IRA vs. physical gold: Which is better?

The spot price of gold is $4,400 to $4,500 per ounce as of March 2026. The spot price refers to the market price at which gold is bought and sold at any given time. In other words, it’s what you’d pay “on the spot.” The cost of gold fluctuates constantly — you can track the price using a live gold price chart.

When you buy gold, dealers charge a premium above the spot price (“premium over spot”). Gold prices fluctuate constantly, but you shouldn’t pay more than a 5% or 6% markup above the spot on average. Dealers and brokers may also charge a range of fees, including commissions, transaction fees and shipping fees.

• Transaction fees: Charging customers a transaction fee is standard in the industry. If price is your primary consideration, look for gold and silver dealers with the lowest possible transaction fee.
• Shipping fees: Find out what the shipping costs are for your gold dealer before placing an order. Some dealers offer free shipping with a minimum purchase requirement. Shipping fees can make the cost of purchasing physical bullion more expensive.
• Additional fees: Some companies charge an ongoing management fee, similar to what brokerages charge for investment portfolios. This fee is related to the storage and security of the gold bullion.

Unlike paper money that can be overprinted and devalued, gold and other precious metals are tangible assets with naturally limited supplies. This helps keep the market value of gold stable, which makes it an attractive investment option for many people.

Even if the online listing shows that the gold you are purchasing is from an authentic source, it’s a good idea to inspect the gold yourself once it arrives. When buying gold online, you’ll want to verify that it’s the real thing. Take these steps to verify the authenticity and quality of your gold:

1. Confirm you’re buying from a reputable source. Verify that the gold you plan to purchase is from a reputable precious metals mint or refinery. Some of the leaders in gold minting include the U.S. Mint, The Royal Canadian Mint, PAMP and the Royal Mint. You can also find a full list of LBMA members on the LBMA website.
2. Weigh your gold to ensure you got what was advertised. When you receive your gold, make sure to put it on a trustworthy scale to ensure you have received exactly what was advertised.
3. Confirm the purity of your gold. For gold, the purity typically ranges from 9 karats up to 24 karats. If a “karat” marking is not on your gold, there is a fineness scale, with rankings from 350 (9 karats) to 999 (24 karats). Absent these markings, you’ll need to get your gold purity independently verified. Most reputable gold minters or refineries adhere to purity standards.
4. Obtain a certificate of authenticity for your gold. If you’re buying gold online, it’s a good idea to ensure your purchase comes with a certificate of authenticity. This ensures that a third party has inspected the piece and can give exact purity and quality ratings.

Find a gold dealer to support your investing comfort

• Beginners: Look for simple checkout processes, transparent pricing models and educational resources to help you research gold investing.
• Large investors: Compare premiums, bulk pricing and storage solutions for large gold investments.
• IRA investors: You’ll need compliance experts, advisors and custodian partnerships to support your interest in using gold for retirement investing.

One of the advantages of buying physical gold is taking custody of the asset yourself instead of leaving it with an investment firm or bank. But you’ll need to figure out shipping, insurance and storage of your gold to protect your assets.

Online gold dealers work with third-party shipping companies such as FedEx and UPS to deliver your gold. To safely receive the gold you purchase online and keep it secure, make sure your shipping is always insured. Most online gold dealers offer shipping options and have standard insurance included, but you may be able to upgrade your insurance coverage depending on the carrier.

If you’re buying from an online gold dealer, it’s a good idea to ensure they use discreet packaging. The insurance coverage on shipments typically ends when the package is delivered, and a package that indicates that gold coins are inside might attract the wrong kind of attention.

Once your gold arrives, you’ll want to store it in a safe location. Some gold investors prefer a fireproof safe in their home, while others will rent a safety deposit box through a bank. If you’re storing your gold at home, make sure to add the gold to your homeowners insurance policy or an independent policy to protect your gold in case of fire, theft or other types of loss.

» LEARN: Gold IRA pros and cons

If you’re ready to sell your gold investments, then it’s important to understand how dealers buy back gold and the value of your holdings at any given time.

First, many dealers will buy back gold at their bid price, which differs from gold’s spot price. Spot price is the current exchange price, while bid price is the amount a dealer is willing to pay for gold. Check dealers’ buyback prices and fees to see which dealer will give you the best prices.

What form of gold you’re holding also matters. Gold bullions with marked purity are more valuable than less pure forms like 18 karat gold bars or scrap jewelry. However, certain collectibles may have more value than gold’s spot price. It’s crucial to research your holdings and understand their value and fair market prices when selling back gold.

When you buy physical gold, the IRS sees it as a collectible. This includes gold coins, bars, rounds, jewelry and other forms of physical gold. The tax implications for holding collectibles are different from buying and selling other types of assets.

When you sell a collectible (such as a gold coin) for a profit, any money you make (over your original cost basis) is seen as a capital gain. The capital gains tax rate for collectibles is your ordinary tax rate up to 28% maximum.

The tax bill isn’t due right away, though. You’ll pay it as part of your tax return filing for the year.

To report your taxable gains on buying and selling gold, you’ll need to fill out Schedule D as part of your 1040 form filing. This is the same form used for buying and selling securities (such as stocks, bonds, and ETFs). You may also need to fill out form 1099-B, depending on the type of gold you are selling.

» RELATED: Best gold IRA companies

Identifying gold dealer scams is crucial for protecting your investment. Here are common scam tactics to watch for:

• High-pressure sales: Beware of dealers pushing you to make quick decisions.
• Bait-and-switch pricing: Ensure the price quoted matches the product quality.
• Unrealistic or guaranteed returns: Avoid claims that sound too good to be true.
• Misleading 'limited time' offers: Be cautious of urgency tactics.
• Counterfeit or altered products: Verify the authenticity of items purchased.
• Undisclosed fees: Read the fine print for any hidden costs.

To help you avoid scams, follow this checklist before selecting an online gold dealer.

1. Get the quote in writing with product SKU, weight, and fineness.
2. Verify lock-in terms before making a commitment.
3. Compare at least 2–3 dealers to ensure fair pricing.
4. Avoid wire transfers or crypto payments to unknown counterparts.
5. Check complaint history and regulatory warnings for the dealer.

If you suspect fraud, report it to your state Attorney General or consumer protection office, file a complaint with the FTC or dispute with your payment provider. Keep thorough documentation of your transaction, including invoices, emails, photos and tracking/insurance details.