When buying silver rounds, you have several options, including both online and local sellers. Locally, there are several places to buy silver rounds, such as a pawn shop, a coin dealer, or estate sales. Most large cities will have several options for buying silver bullion rounds, bars, and coins.

Selection and Service

One downside of buying locally is the limited selection when compared to shopping online. Local sellers can be a hit-or-miss opportunity for adding silver rounds to your collection. If you are seeking specific silver rounds, you are not likely to find them quickly if you restrict your buying to local options. Despite this, many collectors prefer to buy from local sellers because it is easier to browse at a more relaxed pace.

If you are new to the world of precious metal investment, you are more likely to find a dealer willing to explain the finer points of silver round investment if you are standing in the seller’s shop, rather than buying silver over the internet. Buying locally presents an opportunity to meet other investors and collectors. This makes buying locally an attractive option for new investors who want to become more knowledgeable about buying silver. Though local dealers may not offer the widest selection, they have the potential to serve as a useful resource.

Convenience and Costs

Many buyers find buying locally to be less convenient than purchasing silver online. It can take some time to visit different coin sellers, browse the inventory, and make the purchase. On the other hand, many investors prefer to shop locally because they can walk in with cash and walk out with silver on the same day. Same-day transactions simply are not possible when purchasing silver online. Plus, you will be able to physically inspect the coin before any money changes hands. Unlike with many online purchases, you aren’t buying the silver sight-unseen.

As a result of higher overhead costs, local dealers tend to charge higher prices than online seller. Reduced competition, coupled with the high expense of running a retail storefront, results in higher per-ounce costs for local sellers. In addition, if your state charges sales tax on precious metal purchases, expect to pay this tax when purchasing locally. Many investors in such states opt to buy their coins online in order to avoid paying sales tax. You may find that buying silver coins and rounds locally is not cost-effective when other sellers, such as online dealers, are offering the same bullion products.

Do Your Research

Before you purchase silver locally, do your homework. Make sure you know the spot price of silver on the day you are shopping, as well as the current market rate of any coins you are looking to purchase. If you see a coin or round you may wish to purchase, do not be afraid to go home and do more research before buying it. Many local coin dealers are numismatic experts. However, the sellers of other silver coins and rounds – such as those found at an estate sale or pawn shop – may not be experts in the field. Their items may be misidentified or priced significantly higher or lower than the going rate.