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In some sense, this question is a general one and not specific to my case.

I am looking to order gold bullion from a seemingly reputable website.

Funnily enough, I've ordered countless things before online. I think we tend to take for granted the authenticity of a websites services. This is not surprising, given that transaction values are low.

In my case, I would like to make one large purchase through this website and that got me thinking - how does one actually vet a suppliers authenticity. By authenticity, I mean, they deliver what they say will deliver after your purchase it, and is not some scam/fraudsters.

This website has a catalogue, a URL that has persisted for weeks and what I think are reviews from its .co.uk domain although the one in question is a .eu domain.

The truth is, no matter how authentic it looks, I'm having trouble trusting it. So just how does one vet an e-commerce supplier? Is there a trusted third party or verification authority that does this kind of stuff?

(I didn't share the link as I'm unsure whether stack exchange allows for sharing URL's as it might be seen as spam).

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  • 5
    A URL that has persisted for weeks? That doesn’t sound promising.
    – RonJohn
    Sep 2, 2022 at 17:44
  • 3
    Go to a Reddit forum dedicated to gold hoarding and ask for a reputable dealer in the UK.
    – RonJohn
    Sep 2, 2022 at 17:45
  • I mean, from when I started checking, which happened to be weeks. Of course it is likely it has been there longer judging by the mature look and feel of it.
    – Dean P
    Sep 2, 2022 at 17:45
  • 1
    Why are you looking to buy this from a website? Are there no dealers with a physical presence nearby?
    – Chris W. Rea
    Sep 2, 2022 at 20:43
  • 2
    "Mature look and feel" is not all that hard to fake these days.
    – glibdud
    Sep 2, 2022 at 20:45

1 Answer 1

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Prepare to be fleeced online. Go to a jeweler or a pawn shop, and pay the markup.

You are right - you should not trust a gold website. Look at Gold ETFs available in the U.K. if you want it as an investment.

Otherwise, your best bet is likely jewelry stores and pawn shops. Both have staff that can spot fakes, and have a vested interest in selling you the real product.

It'll be more expensive since you're paying for 1) the ability to examine it before you buy yourself and 2) 3rd party expertise in spotting fake gold.

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    That's nonsense, there are plenty reputable buillion sellers online. You can buy directly from mints as well.
    – littleadv
    Sep 3, 2022 at 5:13
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    Yes there are plenty of repeatable suppliers online. Problem is there isn’t a foolproof way to vet them.
    – sevensevens
    Sep 5, 2022 at 1:16
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    yeah, well, pawn shops are the most honest of all the businesses around, everybody knows that.... /s
    – littleadv
    Sep 5, 2022 at 19:31

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