Okay, so buying actual, physical gold always felt kinda intimidating, right? Like something only rich old dudes did. But inflation’s been kicking my butt lately, and I figured diversifying my savings might be smart. Stumbled across Raven Gold LLC online and decided to finally dive in. Here’s exactly how it went down.
Step 1: Figuring Out What the Heck I Was Doing
First things first, their website talks a big game about being “First Time Buyer Friendly.” So I poked around there. Found info on different types of bars and coins – ounce sizes mostly seem standard, which helps. Seriously, they gotta spell things out because I was initially picturing pirate chests or something.
Step 2: The Big Call (Talking to Humans!)
Alright, deep breath. Picked up the phone and actually called their “New Client Line.” Felt a bit awkward explaining I literally knew nothing. But dude on the other end? Super chill. No fancy jargon, just plain English. Asked me basic stuff:
- Why I wanted gold (mostly just scared my cash savings are melting).
- How much I could realistically spare without panicking.
- If I preferred coins (like Eagles) or small bars (easier to stash supposedly).
He suggested starting small with one ounce coins – less commitment, easier to sell later if needed. Made sense.
Step 3: Confirming the Price & Locking It In
Price changes constantly? Yeah, apparently gold shifts every few seconds. Wild. The rep gave me the exact price for the American Eagle coin right then, and importantly, locked it in for me for a short window. This felt crucial – didn’t want it jumping up while I filled out forms.
Step 4: Paperwork Overload (Boss Level)
This part? Yeesh. They emailed links to forms. Felt like doing my taxes again. Needed:
- My Driver’s License – clear scanned copy front/back.
- Proof of address – utility bill.
- Bank info – routing/account number. Nervously double-checked this.
- The specific order form confirming what I bought, price, payment method.
The rep walked me through which fields needed what. MUST-DO TIP: Scan everything super clearly. Blurry copies? Instant form rejection. Happened to me once. Took another 15 mins.
Step 5: Wiring the Cash (Sweaty Palms Time)
Raven Gold ONLY accepts bank wires for first-time buyers. Period. No cards, no checks. Had to call my bank to initiate the wire transfer. Needed Raven Gold’s wiring instructions (they provide them). Fees? Mine charged $25, Raven Gold didn’t take fees on their end. Must send exactly the amount agreed upon! Triple-check this number. Screw it up? Your order gets canceled, might mess up the price lock. Massive stress.
Step 6: The Agonizing Wait & Tracking
After wiring the money? Silence. Raven Gold emails you when they receive the funds – took almost a full nervous day for me. Then another email confirming they’re processing the order. Shipping kicked off a day later with a tracking number. My gold was insured and super discreetly packaged.
Step 7: The Glorious Shiny Arrival
Package arrived maybe 5 business days after funds cleared. Plain box. Inside, another box labeled something boring like “Industrial Parts.” Open that? Boom. My coin sealed in protective plastic inside a small plastic case. Felt surprisingly heavy. Took pics immediately.
Key Takeaways & Reality Check:
- Talk to a Human: Seriously saved my bacon. Don’t just click buttons online.
- Scan Docs PERFECTLY: Blurry = instant headache and delay.
- Wire Funds EXACTLY: Dollar for dollar. Fees come out separately!
- Have Patience: It’s not Amazon Prime. Wires take time. Verification takes time.
- Track Everything: Order confirmations, wire receipts, tracking numbers. Screenshot it all.
- Know Your Why: The rep asked for a reason. Helps them help you pick the right thing.
- Keep Records: Where you bought it, what you paid. Future you selling it will care.
Final Feeling? Relieved it worked! Also kinda paranoid about keeping it safe. Thinking fireproof safe now. Was it worth the process? Yeah, feels solid holding actual gold. But holy paperwork, Batman. Never again without knowing this stuff upfront!
