Start with the price of the metal
The spot price is a reference point, not the final retail price. A dealer adds a premium for the product and its service. Ask for the exact coin or bar, weight, purity, quantity, and total purchase price. Compare the same basket with more than one dealer at a similar time.
Separate one-time and recurring costs
A precious metals retirement account may involve account opening charges, annual administration, storage, shipping, and transaction costs. Ask which entity charges each fee and whether a promotional waiver ends after the first year. An itemized fee schedule is more useful than a single advertised account charge.
Look at the buyback spread
Ask what the dealer would pay to repurchase the same metals at the time of your purchase. The difference between the purchase price and the buyback bid helps you understand the immediate cost of getting in and out. Ask whether the quote is executable and when it expires.
Put the numbers in one place
Build a comparison that includes the purchase premium, setup costs, annual account fees, annual storage, and exit costs. Use your actual investment amount and intended holding period. Written terms should explain any minimum, promotion, and condition.
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Sources & further reading
Published October 1, 2026. Last reviewed October 21, 2026.
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