| Precious metals include gold, silver, | | | | |
| platinum and palladium. Quotes for precious | | | | Investors should have a good idea about the |
| metals depend on the supply and demand. These | | | | price of metals. They can choose to invest in |
| metals serve as money, industrial commodities | | | | gold, silver, platinum and palladium, |
| and investment products throughout the global | | | | including bullion bars and coins. The |
| marketplace. Precious metals are tangible | | | | purchase or sale of precious metals can be |
| real assets and provide a long term value. | | | | made through online services. Precious metal |
| Precious metals can be traded like stock in | | | | quotes can be requested through telephone. |
| an exchange. | | | | When the price is quoted the customer will |
| | | | receive a trade number. The minimum |
| Precious metal quotes fluctuate according to | | | | transaction amount varies with different |
| the daily silver and gold market. Precious | | | | service providers. Discounts are offered |
| metal cost is based on the raw materials, | | | | based on the volume of precious metal. |
| manufacturing costs and overheads. Precious | | | | Different service providers have different |
| metals have a low market and high market | | | | selling strategies. The customer can ask the |
| pricing. The difference between these rates | | | | current quotes on the item through telephone. |
| is then divided by the difference of the set | | | | Some providers do not include shipping cost |
| market prices. This figure represents the | | | | in the quotes. The quoted amount is locked |
| increment in the market price. When a | | | | and the customer will receive a purchase |
| customer requests a price quote, the market | | | | order number. The different payment options |
| value of the precious metal must also be | | | | include personal or bank check, wire transfer |
| specified. Usually a market value close to | | | | and personal check through Internet. The |
| the day's value is given. An increment is | | | | service providers offer sale and marketing |
| given with each price quote. The price quotes | | | | support through their marketing |
| also include the delivery, insurance and | | | | professionals. |
| sales charges. | | | | |