[brocks1803]

Thank you! Right when they get in I will test this out.

 

[brocks1803]

The bars are stamped as Apmex which is why I purchased them. Once I get them in I will do some test and find out. Thanks for all the help! I paid $6 less an ounce than what they are going for on ebay, so hopefully I didn't get scammed. We will see!

 

[fatti]

A big chunk of silver bullion or coin on EBay here in Australia starts at 99cents. Most of it goes way over its value. Every now and then one goes for below spot. They are the ones I go for. Hard to get but they are there.

 

[grumpygrady]

you can use nitric acid to test silver scratch it and then put a drop of acid on the scratch
if it is clear or cream colored it is silver at 99 percent or better if green or other colors it is less the 9 percent the scratch is to make sure you get below the plating if it is there
and if they bought silver back when it was less than 5 dollars an ounce they could sell it cheaper than spot just to move it fast

 

[pthor]

Weigh them !

It's always been 100% with me .

 

[pthor]

The bars are stamped as Apmex which is why I purchased them. Once I get them in I will do some test and find out. Thanks for all the help! I paid $6 less an ounce than what they are going for on ebay, so hopefully I didn't get scammed. We will see!

Did you get them on an auction, or for sell on EBAY?

I've bought silver on Ebay for under spot & it's been real every time.

If it was in an auction, consider yourself lucky... If it was being sold for under spot, be suspicious!

Either way, weigh it. They sell accurate scales on Ebay for cheap.

 

[mdduff]

You can try to sell silver (or gold for that matter) at spot, but you aren't likely to be able to easily. The buyer will want to pay something under spot (I've been quoted at anywhere from 85% of spot, to $5 under spot for 1 oz gold bars). So you may have just found a motivated seller who realizes that he can sell them to you for more than he can get at a local shop. (or they're stolen or fake

 

[MR_SLOW]

I weighted several of my ASE coins with my scale, they were all 31.2 grams. I have bought from Apmex and Scottsdale and have received way over weight bars and coins. I have a Lunar dragon 1 ounce coin from Apmex that weight 31.6. I have 3 one ounce bars from the Scottsdale mint that are all over weight. One of them is over 32.00 and the other two are 31.8 These are all solid silver. I took a file to one edge of the bar and its all silver. There is nothing wrong with my scale since all the ase coins all weight right on the money with this scale. I called Scottsdale and asked them about their over weight bars. They said it very common and why am I complaining. I should be happy. I told them I'm not happy since some people will think they are fake. Its a red flag in my book.

 

[bigtexan99]

If the magnet sticks to the bar its fake. Definitely.

 

[Indiana_Geoff]

Go try to sell one to a metals dealer. Tell him how you got them. If he buys them, you are good. If not, you have a problem.

Those guys are the experts and the dumb one's don't stay in business long.

You will lose a bit in the transaction, but get more sleep. So it's worth it.

 

[PoorRichard05]

I have bought silver for under spot. The seller needed cash. Every dealer pays less than spot. It isn't as rare as some might think.

 

[BRAT]

A big chunk of silver bullion or coin on EBay here in Australia starts at 99cents. Most of it goes way over its value. Every now and then one goes for below spot. They are the ones I go for. Hard to get but they are there.

Lots of auctions start at $.01 or $.99 and then go up from there.... Always check the feedback of the seller, if they've ripped someone there WILL be negative feedback. Best bet is to deal with seller with tons of positive feedback. :thumb:
Hope it works out well for you!

 

[Sunny Bunns]

rough up a bar with sand paper, then run your fingers over the rough, if it feels like a thousand fish hooks grabbing your fingers, then it is silver, this also works with gold, and native copper

 

[Sunny Bunns]

do the scratch test or check out this website
http://www.investmentu.com/2012/January/fake-bullion-coins.html

 

[wayneS]

amazon sell a gold/silver test kit for under $12. easy DIY.

 

[Willis989]

Besides the fact that you're wondering whether it's fake or not, it wouldn't be uncommon for silver to be going on ebay for below spot price simply because the price for silver is currently "unreliable" in terms of people aren't sure whether it will hold or not. Therefore many people aren't buying much anymore. Obviously supply and demand shouldn't be a problem with a semi precious metal - silver, but on ebay it may not be uncommon. In fact i brought around a whole pound of silver to sell in a reputable store and he didn't offer me anywhere NEAR spot price -- rather a measly $150. Grr. In the future if you're going to buy silver, look online at a reputable dealer. I would also reccomend buying bags of old (pre 1964) silver coins because there are easily traded, and hold value in any condition. Happy trails!

 

[Paltik]

Dealers buy under spot and sell over spot. Well-known coins, rounds, and bars will also have a "premium" over obscure metals.

When I've wanted to sell silver, I put it on Craigslist and sell it at spot; a good deal for both of us.

Stick to well-known coins, rounds, or bars to inspire more confidence in buyers.

 

[txprep]

around here dealers are buying at spot +1 and selling at spot +3

I havent seen any deals @ spot.

 

[KaBar67]

Is there such a thing as a reputable dealer with certifications or license? I wouldn't buy gasoline that I have to test for purity.

 

[BRAT]

Reputation, reputation, reputation..........