Homepage / Bullion Dealer Practices: Online Dealers

Last Updated on 01/28/2025

Online Bullion Dealers

Understanding the business practices of Online Bullion Dealers

before you deal with one.

The more you know about a business, the better off you are when you purchase from them. This page was created to help you know what to be aware of before, during, and after you buy from a online bullion dealer.

The Topics discussed on this page include:

List of Reputable Bullion Dealers

How Bullion is Priced

Methods of Payment

Shipping & Packaging

Buyer Be-Aware of

Copper Bullion pricing

Have a 1st Orders Maximum

Bullion Buying Guide Directory

Bullion Market Buying Guides

Reputable Bullion Dealers

Free Shipping on Orders $199+

4.8 star Customer Reviews

Free Shipping on Orders $199+

BBB - Customer Reviews

Free Shipping on Orders $199+

4.8 star Customer Reviews

Free Shipping on Orders $199+

4.9 star Customer Reviews

Free Shipping on Orders $100+

(Canada & US) | RCM - Customer Reviews

The Royal Mint (UK) Delivery Rates

4.8 star - Customer Reviews

Shipping prices vary by item

How Bullion is Priced

Pricing Bullion

Online Bullion Dealers use the spot price of a precious metal as a starting point for pricing bullion.

Spot price is the current price at which an asset, such as a currency or commodity, can be purchased or sold for immediate delivery. You want to know what this price is before you shop.

Generally, online bullion dealers add a charge above the spot price to help them pay for overhead.

Furthermore, certain types of bullion also include a collector's premium. Online bullion dealers also add these premiums to bullion prices, but the market governs the amount of the premium, not the dealer.

Whether it is a bullion coin, round, or bar, premiums can vary by the bullion product; in general, the age, condition, and rarity of the item will all play into the premium above the spot price.

Graded bullion and collector coins typically command the greatest premiums; for more information on how premiums for graded coins are determined, read our Graded Bullion Buying Guide.

Precious Metal Spot Prices

Methods of Payment

When purchasing bullion online, you can select from various payment methods. Dealers typically accept three or more of the following forms during the ordering process or checkout.

- Online service that provides Credit and Personal Account Services

Debit / Credit Card

Check /Money Order / Cashier's Check

This form of payment has to be Mailed to the Dealer
May take over 10-days to clear

Wire Transfers

Wire Transfers are a method of transferring money electronically from one person or institution to another. Visit our Wire Transfer page for a comprehensive guide on the process of making a wire transfer.

In addition, you can also visit Western Union's website to learn more about Bank Wires.

Bitcoin

Irreversible Transactions - Make sure you have the Correct Address, there’s no recourse if the money goes to the wrong address.

Reminder: Financial Emails

Computer hackers often create sophisticated emails using financial logos to trick users into clicking on their links to steal financial information.

To avoid hacking, it's advised to bypass any emailed links and directly log into your financial account with the institution to address the issue.

It is not advised to click on links from a financial institution's email unless you have recently contacted the institution or its representatives.

Shipping & Packaging

Online bullion dealers have a section at the top or bottom on their website that links to individual policy pages, providing detailed shipping policies.

Many online bullion dealers offer deals on free shipping. Deals involve the customer ordering a certain amount to receive free shipping; the most common deal found on many online bullion dealer websites is "Free Shipping on orders over $199."

The following are standard practices that a person can expect from an online bullion dealer after an order has been placed and paid in full.

Confirmation Email - Email Confirming the order has been received & accepted, shipping details may be in this email.
Packaging - orders are packaged under video surveillance, and double-checked to ensure you receive what you ordered. All items should be well secured in the delivery package (box, envelope, etc.), and the items should not move inside the delivered package.

Labels/Identification - Shipping packages should have NO external markings that give a clue as to what is inside the package. Sometimes, to be more inconspicuous, the return address may not include the online bullion dealer's name.
Delivery/Shipping Email - this information maybe in the order confirmation email. If not, this email should include all the information you need about the shipped package. (including: Carrier, Tracking Number, and if a Signature will be needed at Delivery, etc.)

Delivery Person with Package to Sign for

Tracking Number - a number to track your package
Insured Shipping - covers any mishaps that may occur in transit after the package containing your items has left the dealer.
Signature maybe Needed at Delivery - Some online bullion dealers do this for security reasons on every order; others will require a signature at delivery on orders over a certain dollar amount.

Lastly, there is no doubt that you've seen one of the package delivery service's logos below; most online bullion dealers use these services to deliver your items.

When unfamiliar with a delivery company's name, it's crucial to conduct a web search to determine the shipper's reputation and evaluate their services before allowing them to ship your order.

Walmart - American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins

Buyer Be-Aware of

Copper Bullion Prices

Online bullion dealers sell copper bullion in rounds and bars on their websites. What you need to Be-Aware of is that copper is priced in pounds (lbs.) under the Avoirdupois (pronounced: a-vo-du-pwa) system of weight, and not in troy ounces like the other precious metals.

The difference between an Avoirdupois ounce & a troy ounce.

One Avoirdupois ounce (oz.) = 28.35 grams (16oz per pound)
One Troy ounce (ozt.) = 31.10 grams (12 oz per pound)

This spot price (right) reflects copper's current price per Avoirdupois pound (lb.).

Before you buy, know the spot price per pound.

Copper is more of an industrial metal than a precious metal; it is more abundant in the earth than other precious metals, which is why it is much less expensive than other precious metals.

Copper Price per pound (lb.)

Have a 1st Orders Maximum

If you're new to this industry and you're not sure of what you want or like, the best thing to do is to make a small purchase or several small purchases of different types of bullion from one or more online bullion dealers to decide which ones you like and which ones you don't.

How you set your maximum is entirely up to you; some people have made their first order the equivalent of a few ounces of silver, or a good rule of thumb is to keep your first order under the price of 10 ounces of silver.

By keeping your 1st order maximum low, it will show you how the dealer treats all their customers, no matter how much they spend.

Dealers who recognize the value of every customer understand that everyone should receive the best service no matter how much they spend.

Silver price per Troy oz.

Buying Guides

The buying guides provide detailed information on different types of bullion, including a list of reputable dealers, their Better Business Bureau ratings, and customer reviews.