Request a mail-in quote for precious metals: simple and private
If you want to request a mail-in quote for your gold, silver, or other precious metals, the process is simpler than most people expect. You contact a reputable buyer, describe your items, receive a prepaid shipping kit, and get a professional offer – all without leaving home. For collectors and sellers across the country, this approach has become one of the most practical ways to convert unwanted jewelry, coins, or bullion into cash.
Accurate Precious Metals has offered this service to customers nationwide for over 12 years. With more than 1,000 five-star reviews and a team of specialists who evaluate every item based on current spot prices, the process is transparent from start to finish. Whether you have a drawer full of old gold jewelry or a collection of silver coins you’re ready to part with, here’s exactly how the mail-in quote process works.
What Is a Mail-In Quote Service?
A mail-in quote service lets you sell precious metals to a professional dealer without visiting a physical store. You initiate the process online, ship your items using a prepaid insured label, and receive a formal offer based on a professional evaluation of purity and weight.
The service suits anyone who lives far from a dealer, prefers privacy, or simply wants the convenience of handling the transaction from home. Reputable programs include free return shipping if you decline the offer, so there’s no financial risk in trying.
Step 1 – Find a Buyer You Can Trust
Not every mail-in program is equal. Look for dealers who have been in business for multiple years, carry verifiable customer reviews, and are transparent about how they evaluate items and calculate offers.
Accurate Precious Metals checks all of those boxes. Based in Salem, Oregon, the company has served customers across the United States for over a decade. Their mail-in gold selling service is designed to make the experience straightforward and secure, with insured shipping and fast payment once you accept an offer.
Before committing to any buyer, confirm they offer free return shipping if you decline, use insured carriers, and provide a clear timeline from receipt to offer.
Step 2 – Describe Your Items and Request a Mail-In Quote
Once you’ve identified your buyer, the next step is submitting basic information about what you’re selling. Most dealers provide an online form for this. You don’t need exact measurements or lab-grade knowledge – a general description is enough to get started.
Common details requested at this stage include:
- The type of item (jewelry, coins, bullion, dental scrap, silverware)
- An estimate of quantity or weight if you know it
- Any visible purity markings, such as “14K” on gold or “925” on silver
- Your name, address, and preferred contact method
If you’re unsure about purity, that’s fine. The dealer’s team will test and assess everything when your package arrives. At Accurate Precious Metals, items are assessed for purity through professional evaluation, and offers are based on verified metal content – not your estimates.
Step 3 – Receive Your Mail-In Kit
After submitting your information, the dealer sends a mail-in kit to your address. This typically arrives within three to five business days. The kit contains protective packaging materials and a prepaid, insured shipping label.
The insurance coverage on these labels varies by program. Many services cover shipments between $2,500 and $5,000. If your items are worth more, contact the dealer before shipping to discuss additional coverage options.
Gold Scrap Value Calculator – Accurate Precious Metals Refineries
Step 4 – Pack Your Items Securely
Proper packing protects your items during transit. The kit includes everything you need, but a few extra precautions go a long way.
Wrap each item individually in soft material to prevent scratching or tangling.
Place all items inside the provided inner packaging or a small padded pouch.
Seal that inner package and place it inside the outer shipping box.
Consider double-boxing – placing one sealed box inside a second box – for added security.
Seal all edges with strong tape and affix the prepaid label to the outside.
Take photos of every item before it goes into the box. Photograph the packed box before sealing it as well. These records protect you if any question arises during the process.
Never write “gold” or “jewelry” on the outside of the box. Keep the contents anonymous to reduce any risk during shipping.
Step 5 – Ship Using the Prepaid Label
Drop your sealed package at the designated carrier location. The prepaid label specifies which carrier to use – typically UPS, USPS, or FedEx depending on the dealer and the value of your shipment.
Keep your receipt and tracking number. Some programs ask you to call in your tracking number and provide a verbal inventory of what you’ve sent. This creates a record on both ends before the package arrives.
Do not purchase your own shipping label. The prepaid label provided by the dealer is insured. A label you buy yourself may not carry the same coverage, and the cost would come out of your offer anyway.
Step 6 – The Professional Evaluation Process
When your package arrives at the dealer’s facility, their team gets to work. Items are weighed on professional scales and evaluated for metal content using established testing methods. The offer you receive is based on these precise results, not your initial estimates.
Current spot prices play a direct role in the offer calculation. At today’s prices – gold at around $4,700 per ounce, silver near $77 per ounce, platinum around $1,976 per ounce, and palladium around $1,484 per ounce – even modest amounts of precious metal carry real value.
To put that in context: a 14-karat gold ring contains about 58% pure gold. A 10-gram ring at that karat contains roughly 5.8 grams of actual gold. At current prices, that’s a meaningful sum. Knowing this helps you evaluate whether an offer is fair.
Accurate Precious Metals uses live spot pricing and a transparent evaluation process. Their team thoroughly examines every item before making an offer, and customers are never pressured to accept.
Step 7 – Review and Respond to Your Offer
Most dealers contact you within 24 hours of receiving your package. You’ll get an offer by phone or email, along with a breakdown of what was evaluated.
At this point, you have two options:
If you have coins that may carry collector value beyond their metal content, mention this when you submit your initial form. Some dealers, including Accurate Precious Metals, can factor numismatic considerations into their evaluation.
What Can You Mail In?
The range of accepted items is broader than many sellers realize. See what items are eligible for mail-in before you pack your shipment, but most programs accept:
- Gold jewelry in any condition – broken, tangled, or missing stones
- Gold and silver coins, both bullion and numismatic
- Gold and silver bars or rounds
- Dental gold
- Sterling silverware and flatware
- Platinum and palladium items
- Diamonds
Accurate Precious Metals buys all of the above. If you’re not sure whether a specific item qualifies, reach out before requesting your kit. Their team can advise you quickly.
Tips for Getting the Best Outcome
A few straightforward steps improve your experience and help you evaluate offers accurately.
Weigh your items first. A basic kitchen scale won’t give you a dealer-grade reading, but it helps you understand roughly what you’re sending and cross-check the evaluation you receive.
Note any purity markings. Gold is often stamped with “10K,” “14K,” “18K,” or “750” (for 18-karat). Silver items frequently show “925” or “Sterling.” These markings help dealers provide more accurate preliminary assessments.
Compare offers. The mail-in process is free, and return shipping is covered if you decline. There’s no downside to requesting quotes from more than one buyer. That said, working with an established dealer with a strong track record – like Accurate Precious Metals – often produces competitive offers without the hassle of shopping around extensively.
Understand what dealers pay. No buyer pays full spot price. Dealers buy slightly below spot to cover operating costs and margins. The spread varies by item type, quantity, and current market conditions. A fair buyer is transparent about this.
For a deeper look at how the mail-in process protects sellers, the mail-in gold programs overview covers security, evaluation standards, and what to expect at each stage.
Common Misconceptions About Mail-In Quotes
“I’ll get spot price.” Dealers buy below spot. That’s standard across the industry. The gap between spot and offer varies, but any reputable buyer will explain how they arrived at their number.
“It takes weeks.” A well-run mail-in program moves quickly. From the day you request your kit to the day you receive payment, the total timeline is often 10 to 15 business days. Some steps – like payment after acceptance – happen within 24 hours.
“Mailing valuables is risky.” Professional mail-in services use insured, tracked shipping through established carriers. Your items are covered for thousands of dollars in transit. The risk is lower than many people assume.
“I have to accept whatever they offer.” You don’t. If you decline, your items come back to you free of charge. You’re never obligated to complete the sale.
Why Accurate Precious Metals Is the Right Choice
Accurate Precious Metals is a specialized precious metals dealer – not a pawn shop. That distinction matters. Pawn shops generalize. Accurate Precious Metals focuses exclusively on gold, silver, platinum, palladium, diamonds, and related items. That specialization means their team knows exactly what they’re evaluating and how to price it fairly.
The company has served customers across the United States for over 12 years. More than 1,000 five-star reviews reflect consistent, professional service. Their mail-in service for selling gold and silver is designed to be straightforward, with insured shipping, fast turnaround, and payment processed quickly after acceptance.
For customers in the Pacific Northwest, the Salem, Oregon location offers in-person service as well. Local sellers can bring items directly to the shop and receive an evaluation on the spot. For everyone else in the country, the mail-in program delivers the same professional experience from wherever you are.
If you’re ready to get started, contact Accurate Precious Metals or visit their mail-in page to request your kit. The process takes only a few minutes to initiate, and you’ll have a prepaid, insured shipping kit on its way to you within days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to receive a mail-in kit after I request one?
Most dealers ship kits within one to two business days of receiving your request. Delivery typically takes three to five business days depending on your location.
Do I need to know the exact weight or purity of my items before requesting a quote?
No. A general description is enough to get started. The dealer's team weighs and evaluates all items professionally when your package arrives.
What happens if I decline the offer?
The dealer returns your items at no cost to you. You are never obligated to accept an offer.
Is it safe to mail gold and silver jewelry?
Yes, when done through a reputable program. The prepaid label provided by the dealer includes insurance coverage, and packages are tracked through established carriers like UPS or FedEx.
Does Accurate Precious Metals accept items other than jewelry?
Yes. Accurate Precious Metals buys gold and silver coins, bullion bars, dental gold, sterling silverware, platinum and palladium items, and diamonds, in addition to jewelry.
Can I get a quote in person instead of mailing my items?
Yes. If you're near Salem, Oregon, you can visit the Accurate Precious Metals location for an in-person evaluation. Customers anywhere else in the country can use the mail-in service.
How quickly is payment processed after I accept an offer?
Payment is typically processed within 24 hours of acceptance, depending on the payment method you choose.
Will I receive full spot price for my gold or silver?
No dealer pays full spot price – they buy below spot to cover costs. A reputable buyer will be transparent about how they calculate your offer relative to current market prices.


