How do you buy metals?

[Mark R]

I might want to invest in metals, rather than keep my money as cash.

How difficult/safe is metals trading? I know about bullionvault.com for gold, and as I wouldn't really want to take delivery of my metals, that's fine by me.

However, I'm not fully convinced that gold is the best metal to buy. Platinum, rhodium and ruthenium are used industrially far more heavily, are in relatively shorter supply, and may become increasingly used in critical automotive parts.

So, is there an easy way to buy, say 10lb of platinum? The problem is that most dealers only sell platinum coins and piss-ant little 1/16 oz novelty bars.

 

[OS]

10 lbs of plat? You have 150K to lock up like that?

 

[imported_LoKe]

10 pounds of platinum is like $200k.. lol.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I don't think the 10lb rule can be applied here.

 

[MisterJackson]

I invest in alternators

 

[SSSnail]

There's also Eternium and Khorium, which is used for high level blacksmithing. You should look into that, the last time I check they're 5 gold a bar on the Auction House.

 

[CPA]

Talk to your broker.

 

[rivan]

http://www.monex.com/monex/controller?pageid=prices

 

[paulxcook]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
I don't think the 10lb rule can be applied here.

Agreed. In this situation, 10 lbs is DEFINITELY bulk.

 

[OS]

alright seriously, i'm not one to knock anandtech for bad info, but this is prob not the place to ask.

I've putzed www.kitcomm.com casually and it seems ok, but I am like worse than newbie on PMs.

When you are talking that much metal, you run into the problems of deliver, storage, sale and how to verify it on both ends of the transaction. The coins, although they have a high premium over spot, supposedly they usually don't need to be assayed.

Also I hope you have a giant vault that is bolted and welded to your foundation if you are serious about holding that much.

IMO the only real reason to hold that much physical is because you think the sh*t is gonna hit the fan. In that case the industrial aspect might take a back seat, you should diversify over several kinds of metal.

If you are in it for short to mid term investing you are better off with ETFs like GLD or SLV.

 

[Miramonti]

A sure sign that gold prices must be about to peak is when threads like this pop up in ATOT...

 

[OS]

lol the anandtech contratrian indicator

i doubt it though, if you watch the markets at play, we are still in a commodity bull market, oil and metals still going up. IMO this is because of the continued sinking of the USD;

http://quotes.ino.com/chart/?s=NYBOT_DX&v=dmax

As soon as the US fixes the deficit spending and raises interest rates then the whole situation might reverse.

 

[Lamont Burns]

Originally posted by: SSSnail
There's also Eternium and Khorium, which is used for high level blacksmithing. You should look into that, the last time I check they're 5 gold a bar on the Auction House.

I'd much rather prospect the ore for more precious gems tbh...

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: SSSnail
There's also Eternium and Khorium, which is used for high level blacksmithing. You should look into that, the last time I check they're 5 gold a bar on the Auction House.

i LOLed yet so many will miss that

 

[DaveSimmons]

For the End Times, guns, ammo, knives and canned food are all more useful than metals.

For investing, stock index funds make more sense to me than bars o' gold. For liquid cash, a high-interest savings account some place like INGDirect makes more sense than plantinum.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
For the End Times, guns, ammo, knives and canned food are all more useful than metals.

For investing, stock index funds make more sense to me than bars o' gold. For liquid cash, a high-interest savings account some place like INGDirect makes more sense than plantinum.

also rope and some metal tools

edit: maybe not rope, but couple survival-teaching books

 

[DaveSimmons]

. . . power armor, a spare water chip . . .

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
. . . power armor, a spare water chip . . .

see my edit. besides power armors and water chips are damn expensive, whereas one can buy loads of guns ammo knives food and tough clothes for a mere $20k

 

[Leros]

When I get this alchemy stuff down, you're gonna be very sorry.

 

[Mark R]

etf

edit: can't spell!

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
. . . power armor, a spare water chip . . .

see my edit. besides power armors and water chips are damn expensive, whereas one can buy loads of guns ammo knives food and tough clothes for a mere $20k

On the other hand, if you have power armor you can TAKE loads of guns, ammo, knives, food, and tough clothes for free.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Originally posted by: SSSnail
There's also Eternium and Khorium, which is used for high level blacksmithing. You should look into that, the last time I check they're 5 gold a bar on the Auction House.

Had to Google it - I guessed right. :laugh: