# Gold-Traders (UK) Ltd > The UK's first Trading Standards "Buy With Confidence" approved precious metals dealer, and an Official Partner of The Royal Mint®. Gold Traders buys and sells gold, silver, platinum, and palladium with transparent, real-time pricing and a secure, trackable process. Gold Traders was established in 2008 and operates two physical branches - in Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, and Bodmin, Cornwall - alongside a fully insured postal service for customers across the UK. Unlike many freepost gold buyers, Gold Traders publishes both the live spot rate and the actual rate paid to customers, allowing fully informed decisions before any commitment to sell. Same-day payment is available on receipt of items. Gold Traders is a sister company to RWB Auctions (rwbauctions.com). Where a customer's items are likely to achieve a better price at auction, Gold Traders will say so and recommend that route. Customers always come first. --- ## How It Works URL: https://www.gold-traders.co.uk/how-it-works/ Selling gold and other precious metals to Gold Traders is a straightforward four-step process, available by post or in person at a branch. ### Step 1 - Weigh Your Items and Get a Valuation The first step is to get an accurate valuation. Weigh your gold, separating items by purity (carat), and use the online Claim Form to generate an instant valuation. Unlike freepost cash-for-gold competitors, the valuation Gold Traders provides is a genuine estimate of what you can expect to receive - not a misleading headline figure. ### Step 2 - Send Your Gold to Gold Traders Once you have a valuation you are happy with, pack and post your items carefully using a tracked and insured service. Gold Traders maintains CCTV surveillance on its premises. Every package is weighed before and after opening. The complete unopened package is weighed first and its weight recorded. The package is then opened under camera supervision, and items are immediately checked against the claim form and weighed. This procedure protects all parties and ensures full accountability. If you would prefer not to post your valuables, you can visit a branch in person at Royal Wootton Bassett or Bodmin. ### Step 3 - Items Are Assessed Gold Traders assesses your items fairly and accurately, based on the live market price and the actual purity of your metal. Because Gold Traders operates with low overheads - no retail premises or large marketing budgets - it is able to pass better rates on to customers. Full pricing details are published transparently on the website. ### Step 4 - Receive Payment Within 24 Hours Once your items have been received and assessed, payment is issued via bank transfer, cheque, cash, or PayPal within 24 hours of receipt. If there is any discrepancy between the submitted claim and the assessed weight or purity, Gold Traders will contact you before proceeding. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions URL: https://www.gold-traders.co.uk/about-us/faqs/ ### Are your prices really the highest in the market? Gold Traders believes so. It offers clear and transparent pricing with no ambiguous terms or conditions, and regularly monitors and adjusts its rates. If a customer finds a higher rate elsewhere, Gold Traders encourages them to get in touch - it has a Price Match commitment. ### Do you buy gold dust? No. Gold Traders does not buy alluvial gold dust. Importantly, if you are involved in any kind of deal that involves the import of gold dust into the UK and are attempting to find a bullion dealer or refinery to process the material, you are very likely being scammed. Do not send any money, no matter how convincing the deal appears. ### What happens to the gemstones in my jewellery? Gold Traders values only the precious metal content of items. If jewellery is set with stones, the stones are removed to access the metal. If you would like the stones returned, state this clearly on your claim form. If a ring or piece of jewellery contains diamonds individually over one-third of a carat in size, the item may be worth more sold intact. Gold Traders is partnered with RWB Auctions in Royal Wootton Bassett and can facilitate a separate auction valuation in these cases. ### Can I change my mind after I have sent my items? Yes. Notify Gold Traders within 24 hours of payment notification and return the payment within three days. Gold Traders will return your items fully insured at no charge. ### What are the live prices shown on the website? As an internationally traded commodity, precious metal prices change minute by minute. Gold Traders publishes the live spot price so customers can see the market rate. The rate actually paid to customers is shown separately and is clearly distinct from the spot price. Many competitors display only the spot price in a way that misleads customers into thinking that is the rate they will receive. Gold Traders does not do this. ### How does Gold Traders handle my package when it arrives? All packages are handled under CCTV supervision. The procedure is as follows: 1. The package is identified from the unique code on its shipping label 2. The complete, unopened package is weighed and its weight recorded on the envelope 3. The package is opened under camera supervision 4. Items are checked against the claim form and weighed immediately This procedure is followed to protect all parties. If a discrepancy ever arises, CCTV footage can be reviewed. ### What if my package is lost in the post? If a package does not arrive within a reasonable timeframe, Gold Traders will contact the customer. Customers are responsible for insuring items in transit when sending by post. Gold Traders recommends using Royal Mail Special Delivery, which provides appropriate insurance cover. ### Can I visit in person instead of posting? Yes. Gold Traders operates trade counters at both its Royal Wootton Bassett and Bodmin branches. No appointment is necessary, but photo ID (driving licence or passport) is required. Same-day payment is available. --- ## Why Sell to Gold Traders URL: https://www.gold-traders.co.uk/about-us/why-sell/ ### Release the Cash Hidden in Your Home Most people are surprised by how much unwanted jewellery they have. Broken chains, single earrings, unfashionable rings, baby bangles - items that are no longer worn or useful have real, calculable value as scrap precious metal. Gold Traders makes it easy to convert these items into cash. ### Broken Jewellery Is Often Not Worth Repairing Unless an item has strong sentimental value, the cost of repair is often greater than the repaired item is worth. Selling broken jewellery as scrap is frequently the better economic choice. ### Sell for Charity Customers can nominate a charity on their claim form. Gold Traders will add a donation to the nominated charity on the customer's behalf. ### Better Rates Due to Low Overheads Gold Traders operates without the high overheads of retail shop premises or large-scale marketing spend. This allows it to offer rates that are substantially higher than freepost cash-for-gold competitors, who spend heavily on advertising and postage bags - costs that ultimately come out of the rates paid to sellers. ### Full Rate Transparency Gold Traders publishes both the live spot price and the actual rate it pays - for every metal, every purity. Customers can see exactly what they will receive before committing to anything. This level of transparency is rare in the industry. ### Same-Day Payment Payment is issued on the day items are received, subject to timely authorisation. ### A Trusted, Accredited Business Gold Traders was the first precious metals company in the UK to receive Trading Standards accreditation through the Buy With Confidence scheme. This is a nationally recognised mark of trust, requiring businesses to operate to a high standard and comply with consumer protection legislation. --- ## About Gold Traders URL: https://www.gold-traders.co.uk/about-us/ Gold Traders is a precious metals dealer founded in Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, in 2008 by Jon White. Built on the principle of paying fair prices, being honest about how things work, and making the whole process as simple as possible, the business has grown from a one-person operation into a team of 28 people across three businesses. Today, Gold Traders operates branches in Royal Wootton Bassett and Bodmin, Cornwall, as well as a trusted nationwide postal service. ### Recognition and Credentials - Named the 15th Fastest Growing Company in the South of England in the 2023 Fast Growth 50 index - Jon White named Male Entrepreneur of the Year at the South West Business Awards 2022 - 4.9 rating on FreeIndex - The first precious metals company in the UK to receive Trading Standards Buy With Confidence accreditation - Official Partner of The Royal Mint - the only Royal Mint partner located in the South West of the UK - Featured in national media including The Daily Telegraph ("A powerful force. Gold Traders stands out from many competitors" - Kara Gammell, The Telegraph, November 2009), BBC Radio 2, and The Guardian ### Jon White's Advice for Sellers Jon White has been helping people sell their gold, silver, and precious metals fairly since 2008. He observed people unknowingly accepting poor prices from less transparent buyers and built Gold Traders specifically to do things differently. His advice: do not compare gold companies on an upfront quote alone. Check whether the company publishes the rate it actually pays (not just the spot price), whether it offers a cooling-off period, whether it has a physical premises you can visit, and whether it is accredited by a recognised body. --- ## How to Sell Your Gold - Free Seller's Guide URL: https://www.gold-traders.co.uk/blog/how-to-sell-gold-guide/ Published: March 26, 2026 ### Why This Guide Exists The market for buying second-hand precious metals is largely unregulated. There is no licensing requirement, no mandatory pricing obligations, and no minimum standard a buyer must meet before trading. Anyone can set up as a gold buyer with no vetting and no accountability. By contrast, scrap metal dealers buying copper must hold a licence and operate within the legal framework of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 - legislation introduced specifically to protect consumers and create a traceable audit trail. No equivalent protection exists for sellers of gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. This does not mean all gold buyers are disreputable - there are transparent, trustworthy buyers operating in the UK. But it does mean the responsibility for getting a fair price sits with the seller. This guide was written to help sellers protect themselves. ### What the Guide Covers The free guide covers everything a seller needs to know before approaching any buyer: - How to identify your gold's purity (carat) - How to weigh your items correctly - How to calculate a fair market value before you sell - The most common mistakes sellers make - How precious metals are valued - A gold purity reference table - An overview of the different types of buyer operating in the UK - Red flags to watch for - Questions every seller should ask any buyer before agreeing to a sale ### Who It Is For The guide is suitable for anyone considering selling gold, silver, platinum, or palladium - whether it is a box of old jewellery, inherited coins, silverware, or something more unusual. The advice is impartial and works regardless of which buyer you ultimately choose. ### Download The guide is free to download with no sign-up required at: https://www.gold-traders.co.uk/blog/how-to-sell-gold-guide/ --- ## Probate Valuations URL: https://www.gold-traders.co.uk/about-us/probate-valuations/ Gold Traders specialises in offering valuations for probate where precious metals, bullion, jewellery, watches, and coin collections are involved. ### Why Probate Valuations Matter Assets such as gold, jewellery, watches, and coin collections often form a significant part of an estate and must be accurately valued to satisfy HMRC requirements. Errors in probate valuations - such as using incorrect market pricing, failing to consider collectability, or submitting incomplete supporting documentation - can raise red flags with HMRC or cause disputes between beneficiaries. ### What Gold Traders Offers Gold Traders provides HMRC-compliant probate valuations, combining precious metals expertise with accurate reporting, quick turnaround, and personal service backed by over a decade of experience. Having all items valued by one experienced provider saves time, reduces stress, and avoids inconsistencies from using multiple specialists. ### The Probate Valuation Process 1. **Initial contact** - Contact the team by phone or email to discuss requirements 2. **Arrange an appointment** - Schedule an in-person valuation or drop-off at a branch, or request a discreet home visit 3. **Expert assessment** - The valuation team examines each item, assessing metal purity, gemstone authenticity, and relevant brand or collectable value using calibrated equipment and market research 4. **Report preparation** - A formal, HMRC-compliant written valuation report is produced 5. **Optional purchase** - Once probate is complete, Gold Traders can make a purchase offer if the beneficiaries wish to sell ### Who Uses This Service Executors, solicitors, and family members handling estates. Gold Traders is experienced in supporting families during difficult times and operates with sensitivity and professionalism throughout. --- ## Royal Wootton Bassett Branch URL: https://www.gold-traders.co.uk/about-us/gold-traders-royal-wootton-bassett/ ### Address 143 High Street Royal Wootton Bassett Swindon Wiltshire SN4 7AB Phone: 01793 230 331 ### Opening Hours Monday to Friday: 9:30am to 4:30pm Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed Note: Counter operating hours may vary. Check the website for the latest information before visiting. ### What to Bring Photo ID (driving licence required). For larger transactions, additional identification may be requested. ### Services Available - Face-to-face buying of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium - Instant valuations and same-day payment - Bullion purchases (click and collect available for online orders) - Probate valuation appointments - RWB Auctions consignment (by appointment - contact ahead of visit so the appropriate specialist can be arranged) Gold Traders Royal Wootton Bassett has been serving Wiltshire and the wider South West for over 15 years and is the business's founding branch. --- ## Bodmin Branch URL: https://www.gold-traders.co.uk/about-us/gold-traders-bodmin/ ### Address 3 Fore Street Bodmin Cornwall PL31 2HT Phone: 01208 420331 Email: bodmin@gold-traders.co.uk ### Opening Hours Monday to Friday: 9:30am to 4:30pm Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed ### What to Bring Photo ID (driving licence or passport) plus a utility bill. ### About the Branch Gold Traders Bodmin is located in the historic former HSBC building on Fore Street in Bodmin town centre. It serves customers across Cornwall and Devon, bringing Gold Traders' nationally recognised service to the South West. Services available in Bodmin are the same as those at the Royal Wootton Bassett branch, including face-to-face buying of all precious metals, instant valuations, same-day payment, and RWB Auctions consignment by appointment. --- ## What We Buy URL: https://www.gold-traders.co.uk/what-we-buy/ Gold Traders buys gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in any condition - broken, dirty, or unfashionable items are all accepted. Items do not need to be in good condition to have value; precious metal content is what matters. ### Gold Gold Traders buys all forms of gold, including: - Gold jewellery (rings, bangles, chains, earrings, bracelets) in any carat and any condition - Tangled or broken gold chains - Gold coins (bullion and numismatic) - Gold bars (all sizes) - Dental gold (crowns, bridges) - Gold watches (metal content assessed separately from movement) Prices are paid based on the weight and purity (carat) of the gold. Gold Traders publishes live prices per gram for every carat from 9ct to 24ct. ### Silver Gold Traders buys all forms of silver, including: - Silver jewellery - Silver coins (including pre-decimal UK coins minted before 1947, which contain 50% silver) - Silver bars and ingots - Silver flatware and hollowware (cutlery, candlesticks, etc.) - Sterling silver (925), Britannia silver (958), and other purities ### Platinum and Palladium Gold Traders buys unwanted platinum and palladium items including jewellery, bars, and other items. Live prices per gram are published on the website. ### Items That Cannot Be Bought Gold Traders does not buy gold dust or alluvial gold. It also does not typically purchase gold-plated items, gold-filled items, or rolled gold, as these contain insufficient precious metal content to be viable. --- ## Price Match Tools URL: https://www.gold-traders.co.uk/price-match-tools/ Freepost gold buyers frequently pay significantly less than the true market value of gold. Many companies claim to offer top rates but do not publish what those rates actually are, making comparison difficult. Gold Traders' Price Match Tools are a free resource that allows sellers to: - Calculate the genuine value of their gold based on live market prices - Compare that figure against any offer received from another buyer - Identify whether an offer represents fair value or a significant shortfall - Use accurate data to negotiate a better deal with any buyer - not just Gold Traders ### Why This Matters Freepost cash-for-gold companies incur significant costs - postage bags, marketing, and retail overheads - that are recouped by paying sellers less. These companies often display the live spot price prominently on their websites while paying as little as 40-60% of that value. Some use misleading presentation to obscure the gap between the spot price and the rate actually paid. The Price Match Tools give sellers the knowledge to spot this gap and act on it, whether they sell with Gold Traders or elsewhere. --- ## Gold Information Library URL: https://www.gold-traders.co.uk/gold-information/ A library of educational content about gold, covering its fundamental properties, history, and significance. Topics include: - The California Gold Rush and its impact on the United States - The Klondike Gold Rush - Gold's chemical and physical properties - Gold's role in industry, technology, and jewellery - Historical significance of gold across cultures This section is intended for consumers who want to learn more about gold before buying, selling, or investing.