Cash/wire vs credit-card bullion pricing
The advertised price is almost always cash/wire — here's what a card actually costs you, and how it can flip the rankings.
The bullion price you see advertised is almost always the cash/wire price — paid by bank wire, ACH, e-check, or paper check. Paying by credit card typically adds a surcharge of about 3–4% (sometimes more). That uplift is often larger than the entire premium gap between dealers, so the payment method you choose can quietly flip which dealer is actually cheapest.
Those premiums are the cash/wirefigures. Add roughly 3–4% if you'll pay by card, and re-check the ranking — a small cash-price lead can evaporate.
What each payment method costs
| Method | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bank wire | Cash price (lowest) | Fastest to clear; may carry a small flat bank fee. Often required above a dollar threshold. |
| ACH / e-check | Cash price | Free or near-free; takes a few business days to clear. |
| Paper check | Cash price | Cheapest, but the order usually ships only after the check clears. |
| Credit / debit card | +~3–4% | Convenient and may earn rewards; the surcharge can exceed the dealer-to-dealer premium gap. |
| Crypto / PayPal | Varies | Some dealers price these near cash, others near card — check the specific dealer. |
A worked example
Two dealers on a 1 oz gold coin, spot $4,000:
- Dealer A — cash price $4,120 (3.0% premium).
- Dealer B — cash price $4,100 (2.5% premium) — the cash winner.
- Pay Dealer B by card at +4%: $4,100 × 1.04 = $4,264. Pay Dealer A by wire: $4,120. The “more expensive” dealer is now $144 cheaper — purely because of payment method.
What to verify before you buy
- The dealer's exact card surcharge — it varies by dealer and sometimes by card type.
- Wire minimums — some dealers require a wire above a certain order size.
- Check-clearing time — a paper check can add a week or more before shipping.
- Which basis a comparison uses — StackerSpot's is cash/wire; see our data & coverage page.
Compare dealers on the same cash basis
Live cash/wire premiums, ranked lowest first — then add your card surcharge.
Common questions
Why is the cash price on bullion lower than the card price?
Credit-card networks charge dealers a processing fee of roughly 2–4% on every transaction. On thin bullion margins, dealers pass that cost through, so they advertise the lower cash/wire/check price and add a surcharge for cards. Cash-equivalent methods avoid that fee, which is why they're cheaper.
Is ACH or e-check the same price as a wire?
Usually yes or very close. ACH, e-check, and paper checks are typically billed at the same 'cash' price as a bank wire because they don't carry card-network fees. Wires may have a small flat bank fee and checks must clear before the order ships, but the per-item price is the cash figure, not the card figure.
Does StackerSpot show cash or credit-card prices?
StackerSpot uses the cash/wire basis — the price most dealers display by default. When you plan to pay by card, add the dealer's card surcharge (commonly ~3–4%) to estimate your real cost, because that uplift can change which dealer is actually cheapest.
Is it ever worth paying the card surcharge?
Sometimes — for card rewards, purchase protection, or cash-flow reasons. Just compare like with like: a ~4% card surcharge can exceed the entire premium gap between two dealers, so the 'cheapest' dealer on a cash basis may not be cheapest once you add it.
Methodology & sources
StackerSpot ranks dealers on a cash/wire basis, recomputed against live spot — see the methodology. Card-surcharge figures reflect typical dealer practice; confirm the exact surcharge at checkout. Worked numbers are hypothetical for clarity. Related: how to calculate premium and comparing dealers by landed cost.
Informational purposes only — not investment, financial, or tax advice, and not a licensed dealer or advisor. Prices are each dealer's cash/wire figure, change constantly, and may differ from the dealer's own site; always confirm before buying. See our methodology & disclaimer.