As the 20th century drew to a close, gold was regarded as a “barbarous relic”, while most of the world’s silver had literally disappeared from the face of the Earth. With the dawn of the 21st century, all that suddenly changed.
Now gold and silver are highly in demand, at least across Asia and among the tiny pockets of investors in Europe and North America who have rediscovered the world’s oldest and truest “safe havens”. Even the world’s central banks, the creators of all of our fiat currencies have suddenly become net-buyers of gold – and net-sellers of their own, paper currencies.
Yet while the climate for gold and silver had changed at the beginning of a new century, and the markets were rapidly changing as well, little had changed for the average retail investor. Options for purchasing gold and silver were limited. Premiums were high, and “convenience” was not considered a necessary part of doing business.
One bullion company is now seeking to change that: SilverGoldBull.com. SGB sought to distinguish itself from its competitors initially in two ways: through a greater emphasis on customer service, and more effective use of 21st century technology. With respect to the first commitment, SilverGoldBull offers far more (and far more convenient) payment options than any of its major on-line competitors in Canada.
The major drawback with purchasing bullion on line is shipping (and the necessary insurance which is required with those orders), as shipping bullion means mailing relatively heavy parcels to its customers. SilverGoldBull has sought to “simplify” things here for its bullion clients: orders over $5,000 are now shipped for free (including insurance), or as SGB likes to say “the price you see is the price you pay.”
With respect to making better use of technology, SGB has enhanced its service/speed/convenience through:
1) Eliminating lag-times in shipping
2) Expedited on-line check-out process
3) A new website featuring:
a) A more user-friendly format with greater ease of navigation
b) Clearer labeling/icons for product identification
c) Improved bullion charts to guide buyers
However, SilverGoldBull was not satisfied in merely relying upon its greater commitment to customer service, and more effective use of new technologies. It has also sought to become THE low-cost bullion retailer.
SGB now believes it has realized that goal. Through diligently forging better relationships in its supply-chain, SilverGoldBull’s newest supplier has direct access to government Mints, allowing SGB to significantly reduce its own retail price structure, and claim the title of “low-cost retailer” (in a recent price comparison):
About Jeff Nielson