Silver Seller Guide
How to find a reputable silver buyer — and six things to check before you send anything
The silver buying industry is mostly legitimate. But the consequences of choosing the wrong buyer can be significant. Here's how to check before you commit.
Why British Gold Exchange
40+
Years in the precious metals business
£0
Cost to request your free insured postal pack
24h
Maximum time to receive your firm, itemised offer
100%
Of items returned free if you decline
Ready to get a valuation?
The short answer
A trustworthy buyer is transparent, registered and puts everything in writing
Any buyer purchasing silver in the UK must comply with the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, which requires registration with the local authority and prohibits cash payments for scrap metal. A buyer who cannot provide their company registration number or insists on paying cash for scrap is operating outside the law.
Beyond legal compliance, the markers of a trustworthy buyer are consistent: they publish their rates before you send anything, they provide a free insured return if you decline, they give you a full itemised written offer (not a single total), and they have a substantial history of independent reviews you can verify. These behaviours are characteristic of businesses that earn their reputation across thousands of transactions.
The most effective single check is to search the buyer's company name on Trustpilot or Google and read a range of reviews — not just the five-star ones. A legitimate buyer with thousands of transactions will have a substantial review profile. A buyer with a polished website and twelve testimonials on their own page provides much weaker assurance.
What affects it
Six things to verify before sending your silver
How it works
From first contact to payment
Request Your Free Pack
We post a fully insured, tracked Royal Mail freepost envelope. No cost, no commitment required.
Send Your Items
Use our supplied packaging and post your items. They are covered by our insurance from the moment you drop them at the post office.
Receive Your Offer
A firm, itemised offer arrives within 24 hours. Every piece is photographed, logged and assessed by our specialists.
Get Paid
Accept and receive a same-day bank transfer. Decline and we return every item free of charge — no questions asked.
Common questions
Questions we hear most
Is British Gold Exchange registered under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act?
Yes. We hold the required registration and comply fully with anti-money-laundering regulations, including identity verification for transactions above the relevant HMRC threshold.
What ID will I need to provide?
For transactions above certain value thresholds, anti-money-laundering regulations require identity verification. We'll ask for a photo ID (passport or driving licence) and proof of address. For smaller amounts, we record your details as required by the Scrap Metal Dealers Act.
What if I've already sent my items to a buyer I'm unsure about?
Email them immediately so there's a written record. Request written confirmation of their insurance, a tracking update, and their returns policy. If they are unresponsive, contact Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk) and your bank for advice on recovery options.
Are there upfront fees with a legitimate buyer?
None. The free pack, transit insurance and insured returns are all provided at the buyer's cost. Any buyer who charges you before assessing your items is not operating legitimately.
What does an itemised offer letter look like?
It should show: each item identified individually, its weight (to at least 0.1g), its tested purity, the price per gram applied, the calculation, and the total for that item. Then a grand total. If your offer doesn't show this breakdown, ask for it.
Get Started
Sell with a buyer that has 40 years of reputation to protect
Published rates, insured postage, free returns and a full written offer on every transaction. Request your free pack and see the process for yourself.