Beware of Any Business:

• That pressures you to purchase or sell now.

• That cannot commit to a delivery or payment schedule. Make sure you are clear about the agreement.

• That without any apparent assets or references (such as a bank, legal references or past customers).

• That offers to pay cash to consumers – as this is a violation of Minnesota law.

Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota220 S. River Ridge Circle, Burnsville, MN 55337

651-699-1111 • ask@thefirstbbb.org • bbb.org

These tips were created by the Better Business Bureau, with input

from representatives of the local coin and precious metal industry, to assist

consumers in making educated buying decisions

BBB Consumer Tips for Precious Metals and Collectible Coin Buying and Selling

Do Your Research:

• Before consulting a dealer, assess the value of your items (in the current marketplace). Dealers are not required to disclose the value of collectible items - above and beyond their precious metal content - before a consumer sells them.

• Thoroughly research a company before doing business. Make sure the business has the appropriate license and/or bond. Check the dealer’s Business Review with the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org.

• If possible, locate a local dealer with an established location. Unscrupulous dealers may be found on Internet auction sites or online classifieds.

• Ask the dealer for references and be sure to check them before you do business.

• If possible, transact with dealers that are part of professional trade organizations. This way, you may have more assurance you are doing business with a dealer committed to upholding standards.

• Before making a purchase, consumers should be aware of sales and tax laws that apply – Minnesota law requires sales tax to be paid on any retail purchases.

• Multiple evaluations of an item will provide a good estimate of its worth.

• Understand specific terms used in the precious metal industry such as spot price, bullion, precious metal, or premium. (See term definitions)

• Review local and state laws that govern the precious metal industry.

• Understand all company policies before any transaction (e.g. returns, cancellation or delivery policy).

• If you have a dispute with the business, try

to contact them first to resolve the issue(s).

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Be careful when doing business with a company that is not established or reputable within the coins and precious metal industry, or if you cannot find license information about the dealer.

• Stay away from dealers that do not follow state and local laws and regulations. It’s up to consumers to be aware of laws and regulations.

• Be cautious of dealers using words like “guaranteed profit” and “great investment.”

• Be leery of dealers willing to transact outside of their place of business; Minnesota law requires that dealers must operate from the location designated in the license.

• Use your best judgment. As the old saying goes, “If it sounds or looks too good to be true - it probably is.”

Common Industry Terms:

Precious Metal - Is a rare, naturally occurring metallic chemical element of high economic value (for example: gold, silver, platinum and palladium.)

Spot Price - The price at which the international market identifies the value of precious metals. It is also what is used by dealers to calculate what price to set for the consumers. Spot price is a reference point that can be used to calculate base value of an item.

Bullion – A precious metal, in a variety of forms, which is traded near its intrinsic value such as bars, ingots, coins, or rounds.

Numismatic - Items whose value depends more on their rarity, condition, dates, and place of mint rather than on their bullion content.

Intrinsic Value – A value of a coin’s precious metal content, which may be different from its collectible value.

Collectible Value - What a collector or dealer may be willing to pay for a coin or jewelry which may be more or less than the intrinsic value of the item.

Premium - The additional value of precious metals, coins or bullion over and above the spot price. The premium includes the value of fabrication, distribution and a dealer fee.

Scrap – Industry term referring to a precious metal item which has an intrinsic value and is purchased with the purpose to be melted and refined into another form.

Locked in – When a price has been confirmed between the buyer and the seller it becomes a binding contract between the two parties. Subsequent price fluctuations do not change the obligation to complete the transaction by either the buyer or the seller.