Gold & Silver from garage sales leads to dealing, Sting, and a visit from Detectives.

[war-digs-it]

Gold & Silver from garage sales leads to dealing, Sting, and a visit from Detectives.

Hello friends, as the title suggests I am like many of us here that look for and buy and
even advertise that we buy vintage jewelry and precious metals.

Be advised, according to my local laws that "advertising" that you buy these types of items
may require you to have a P.M. dealers license and follow specific guidelines for this activity.
Purchases of items at G-Sales and Estates do not apply. Leaving your business cards at poster-boards and such apparently do!

My Cards left at various locations drew the attention of a task force that governs these types of business. I was targeted by phone by an under cover detective asking if I would buy some gold jewelry and he said that he did not want to give fingerprints for the transaction. RED FLAG!

I told him the law requires some safeguards against stolen property and then he let me know who he was and that if I had met him and gave him money that I would have been arrested.

In my area, I have to have a commercial property and fingerprint system and photograph everything and person and send directly to local detective oversight. This bums me out!!!

 

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[mydogiscool]

War, what state are you in?

 

[war-digs-it]

Georgia, Cherokee County.
Thought I would give a heads-up as there are many other areas that use a national data base system for law enforcement to help track the metals madness of the past few years.
I have had to turn down calls that break my heart. I let them know that I am not licensed to buy from the general public and I only deal with estates. I am pretty sure I am checked on every other week or so.

 

[war-digs-it]

I would like to add that I have always made a policy to turn down any "fishy" deal, the 20 year old with a baggie of old gold rings and such. Situations and items that don't "match" properly.

 

[mydogiscool]

War why don't you just get a license? Could open a lot more doors for you.

 

[war-digs-it]

War why don't you just get a license? Could open a lot more doors for you.

Requires specific zoning requirements. I rent where I live, this is mixed-use but the landlord is not willing for me to change the residential to commercial as it cannot be reversed.
The license requires specific location and availability to inspection of all inventory purchased in a 30 day period.

 

[diggummup]

So when someone calls, tell them they have to set up a little table in front of their house and you will gladly come and take a look at their items. lol

Georgia is bad with many of their laws, Florida isn't much better. I'm surprised that BATF hasn't cracked down on the reselling of liquor at estate sales. A very common item that you are not allowed to sell without a license. Empty bottles, yes, full ones no.

 

[shofs]

I'm somewhat new to buying silver and gold from garage sales/estate sales/thrift stores/antique stores and now you guys have me worried. Will I be ok as long as I don't advertise or give out my number and just do all the hunting myself?

 

[war-digs-it]

I'm somewhat new to buying silver and gold from garage sales/estate sales/thrift stores/antique stores and now you guys have me worried. Will I be ok as long as I don't advertise or give out my number and just do all the hunting myself?

Yes, you are fine doing that without worry. My issue resulted from the actual advertising part. leaving cards on public pin boards, craigslist ads and I listed myself on search engines for being a buyer. Just got a warning and the detective sent me all the requirements for legal purchasing to my e-mail... about 50 pages worth.
My motto of go big or go home does have some quirks.

 

[shofs]

Phew thats good I would hate to give up my new hobby its too fun! Glad you didn't get boned from the detective way to cover your bases my friend.