Compare the amount you receive after costs, the conditions attached to it and when you can access the money. A posted gold price alone cannot answer those questions.
Start by identifying the selling route. A recognized bullion coin can receive a price before shipment. A mixed collection of jewelry may need to arrive for testing before the buyer makes an offer. APMEX, for example, operates separate bullion and old-gold services with different procedures. Choose the applicable program before comparing its terms with another buyer. APMEX selling overview
Published terms checked: . This comparison uses public seller terms, without test shipments or private quotes. “Not found” means the reviewed sources did not establish the answer; it does not mean a charge or restriction is absent.
Compare the selling routes
| Buyer and route | Minimum | Offer determined | Cost or condition to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money Metals bullion | Not found | Price locked when selling order is placed | Seller arranges insured shipment |
| JM Bullion Sell to Us | $1,000 | Locked during selling checkout | Shipping and payment fees |
| APMEX bullion | $1,000 | Quote accepted before shipment | Logistics shipping deducted from proceeds |
| APMEX Old Gold & Silver | Not found | After receipt and appraisal | Free label; stones are not returned |
| Express Gold Cash | Not found | After receipt and evaluation | $5,000 automatic insurance; additional coverage by arrangement |
Money Metals: condition and shipment deadline
Money Metals lists buyback prices for familiar precious-metal products, including bullion purchased elsewhere. Rounds and bars need weight and purity markings; bars also need a manufacturer name or insignia. Ask for acceptance and a quote for unlisted material. Selling orders become binding when placed. Money Metals selling instructions
Its legal terms require shipment within two business days unless otherwise arranged, with the seller responsible for full-value insurance. Money Metals aims to issue payment within three business days of receipt. If items cannot be resold in their received condition, it can lower the price or return them at the seller’s expense, with applicable market loss. Get the payment method and fees in writing: those details were not established by the reviewed selling pages. Money Metals legal disclosures, “Selling to Money Metals”
JM Bullion: payment fees and timing
JM’s payment FAQ lists free ACH, a $25 wire fee and a $50 paper-check fee, deducted from proceeds. Confirm the available option before locking the transaction. JM payment methods
Payment timing is less clear. The selling page displays a notice saying payment is being issued 10-plus business days after receipt, while other copy still says three to seven business days. Ask which timetable applies to your order. JM selling page Its payment FAQ separately says mailed checks can take up to 15 business days to arrive after issuance. JM payment timing
You can use a JM shipping label or arrange your own shipment; the reviewed FAQ provides no universal label price. JM shipping options For its provided-label route, packing instructions require a staffed FedEx location and a retained scan receipt; drop boxes, kiosks and third-party locations void coverage. JM label instructions (PDF)
Cancellation after locking can create a market-loss charge to the card supplied with the order. JM cancellation FAQ
APMEX: bullion or an appraisal kit
Bullion buyback
The bullion program accepts bullion, numismatics, collectibles and currency. Ship within one to two business days after confirmation. Its prepaid Logistics label has a shipping charge deducted from payment. Wires below $10,000 cost $25; ACH is available up to $50,000. The seller FAQ lists cancellation at $35 plus market loss. Payment statements vary between next-business-day language after authentication and one or two business days after purchase-order processing depending on customer tier; confirm the applicable timing. APMEX bullion selling terms
Old Gold & Silver
Old Gold & Silver accepts refined jewelry, silverware and dental items, including broken pieces; it excludes nuggets and gold-bearing rocks. Its free label provides up to $5,000 insurance, with contact required above that amount. Testing can include electronic, XRF and acid methods. Offers exclude stones, and gemstones and diamonds are not returned. Large-lot assays can be irreversible. APMEX appraisal terms
APMEX says appraisal usually takes one to two days, potentially longer at peak times, with payment within one business day after acceptance. Return shipping may be charged if the items contain no precious metal. Payment options and any response deadline were not established by the reviewed page. APMEX Old Gold & Silver terms
Express Gold Cash: insurance and offer response
Express Gold Cash lists jewelry, gold coins and dental gold among accepted items. Items Express Gold Cash buys Its FAQ specifies automatic insurance up to $5,000 and optional coverage up to $100,000, with a free kit and FedEx Overnight shipping. It lists direct deposit, PayPal and check as payment options. Express Gold Cash process and FAQ
The terms tell customers sending more than $5,000 to request increased insurance. They also contain a $5,000 liability cap and impose documentation and carrier-scan conditions. Confirm the coverage and claim valuation for your package, including how any increased coverage applies. Express Gold Cash insurance conditions
The terms give you 72 hours to decline an offer through your account. Without a response, a check is sent; items are held for up to 30 days or until the check is cashed, whichever comes first. Returns are insured at the offered amount unless additional coverage is arranged. Payment is issued within 24 hours of verbal acceptance. Express Gold Cash offer and return terms
The reviewed pages did not establish a minimum, a complete payment-method fee schedule or a standard assay deduction.
Request an appraisal kit from Express Gold Cash. Review the accepted items and shipping conditions, then complete the kit request on the buyer’s website. The offer follows receipt and evaluation.
Build one offer record for each buyer
Use this calculation once the buyer has supplied the necessary figures:
Net proceeds = accepted offer − shipping − additional insurance − payment fees − separately charged appraisal or refining costsRecord an unknown charge as “unconfirmed.” Do not turn a blank field into zero, or subtract a cost twice if the offer already includes it. For appraisal services, ask for the offer’s tested weight and purity and whether deductions are already built into the amount.
- What exactly is accepted? Record the description, quantity, condition and exclusions.
- When does the price become binding? Save the offer expiry, acceptance record and shipping deadline.
- What can change the payment? Ask about authentication, weight, purity, damage and separately charged work.
- What is the full shipping cost and coverage? Record the carrier, label charge, insured amount, claim valuation and handoff procedure.
- What happens if you decline or cancel? Distinguish returning appraised material from cancelling a locked bullion order.
- When will usable funds arrive? Separate receipt, inspection, payment issuance, delivery and bank clearing.
Use the gold value calculator to record a metal-content estimate, then enter actual quotes and costs in the metal buyer offer comparison. An estimate is a reference point; the buyer’s accepted offer determines the proposed payment.
Prepare the same inventory for each buyer and request preliminary information before entering a binding order. Save item photographs, markings, quote records and the shipping receipt together. Compare quotes taken close together in time, using the same items and payment method.