How it works
Buying
- 1. Find your metal. Every listing shows the live melt value next to the price, so you always know the real premium. Spot-priced listings re-price with the market every minute.
- 2. Buy or make an offer. Fixed price, or negotiate — most sellers accept offers.
- 3. Payment is confirmed. The seller only ships after marketplace payment confirmation, and seller payout follows the delivery/dispute process.
- 4. Use the claim window if needed. Item materially not as described? Open a dispute before confirming receipt.
Selling — lower than eBay
| Category | List it yourself | Optional verification | eBay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullion, coins, scrap | 2.75% | 5% | 13%+ typical |
| Jewelry & diamonds | 2.75% | 7.5% → 5% by value | 15% up to $5K |
| Watches | 2.75% | 7.5% | 15% first $1K |
Sellers may be reviewed before selling. Buyers pay processing at cost — ACH 0.8% (capped at $5), crypto (USDT/USDC/BTC/ETH) 1%, wire flat $15 on $2,000+ orders. Sell more, pay less: 10 completed sales cuts your fee 0.25pt, 25 sales cuts it 0.5pt (floor 2%). Buyers pay shipping — sellers set the rate per listing.
Optional desk verification
Seller-direct is the default. The desk is an optional upgrade for pieces that need extra proof: high-value jewelry, watches, gems, unknown bars, new sellers, or buyer-requested verification. Desk items can be XRF-tested, weighed, photographed, and shipped from our facility when that level of trust is worth the higher fee.
Standard bullion and common coins should usually stay seller-direct. Verification is for edge cases, not the default workflow.
Request verificationShipping & protection
- • Sellers must ship with insurance appropriate for the order value.
- • High-value orders may require signature confirmation or USPS Registered Mail.
- • Seller payout is handled only after payment is confirmed and the order clears buyer confirmation or dispute review.
- • Counterfeits are a lifetime ban and a full refund, no exceptions.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to buy gold or jewelry from a stranger online?
Sellers ship only after KaratMarket confirms your payment, and you have a claim window after delivery to open a dispute if the item is materially not as described. Payout to the seller doesn't happen until that window clears without issue.
How do I know the price is fair compared to spot?
Every listing shows live melt value next to the asking price, so the premium is always visible. Spot-linked listings re-price automatically as the market moves, rather than sitting at a stale price.
What happens if an item isn't as described?
Open a dispute before confirming receipt, or within the claim window after delivery. This freezes the seller's payout until KaratMarket reviews and resolves the order — refund or release.
Do I have to use desk verification to sell?
No. Seller-direct at 2.75% is the default for most bullion, coins, and jewelry. Optional desk verification (XRF testing, professional photos, desk-handled shipping) exists for high-value or hard-to-verify pieces where extra proof is worth the higher fee.
How does seller payout work?
Buyer payment is confirmed first, the seller ships with tracking, and payout is released after the buyer confirms receipt or the claim window passes without a dispute.