Before finalizing a purchase from any dealer, experts from CBS News and FINRA recommend asking the following:
Buying physical gold—such as bullion bars or coins—requires balancing convenience, price markups (premiums), and security. For most individuals, reputable online dealers or established big-box retailers offer the best mix of transparency and accessibility.
The following retailers are frequently cited by reviewers from CNBC Select and Money.com for their reliability and specific strengths:
: Recommended for its high level of transparency and ease of use for online retail.
: Best for in-person retail . Membership is required, but it is highly attractive because its markups are often as low as 1% to 2% , compared to the industry standard of up to 10%.
: Rated as the Best Overall and Best Gold IRA provider for 2026.
