Tax on bullion

[jayglass-half]

Why does EBay continue to collect state tax on U.S. gold bullion coins for Alabama and other tax exempt states? I would like to buy these items but won’t do so with the tax. 

[gosimus]

@jayglass-half 

< would like to buy these items but won’t do so with the tax >    

I don't know the "why" of it.  But there's something you need to watch out for:  Fraud.  Buy your bullion only from established sellers – preferably ones that have their own website – there's a lot of fake stuff floating around.  And for pete's sake don't ever buy any precious metal from a seller in China, the world capital of knock-offs and fakes. 

If you have any bullion that you've previously purchased from some joe schmoe, I seriously recommend you take it to a local dealer and have it appraised.  They've got a machine that they set the item in and it will determine the weight and purity of an item.  It's amazing to watch.  You should do it just to watch the thing work.  I took a Maple Leaf, a Gold Eagle, and a 14K solid gold bracelet to have checked, to bolster my confidence in the machine, and the machine was right every time.  Like I said, amazing.     

[jayglass-half]

Yes I agree with you on the frauds out there and it’s going to get even worse as the prices go up. They are even counterfeiting the plastic slabs now. But still don’t know why eBay continues to withhold tax on bullion. Apmex doesn’t but their prices are too high.

[gosimus]

@jayglass-half 

< Apmex ... prices are too high >    

Have you tried JM Bullion (eBay name JMBullion)?  Long ago, after extensive research, I determined that the best place was JM Bullion.  I haven't bought from their eBay presence, only directly from their website.  It has been a long time ago, because the price of gold started going up and I refused to pay that much, and decided to wait until the price went back down ... I'm still waiting.  

[jayglass-half]

Agree. They have low prices. I have also bought 1/10 oz. Eagles from Bullion Exchange website in the past. They have the lowest prices on those coins when they have them in stock. Hit and miss and they don’t charge tax.