If you only have $5-10k to trade, consider silver instead.
Just find a reputable local coin shop and pay in cash. No record of the transaction and at no point are you separated from your money without having the gold in hand.
A good coin shop won't try to confuse you with prices or try to upsell you on collector's coins when all you want is bullion. They will charge a premium on top of the spot gold price, and that depends on which product you're buying. Coins typically have a higher premium than bars. Make sure you ask and understand what their premium is before you commit to a purchase. Premiums can get very high when the physical supply is low, so even if there is a dip in price you won't often be able to take advantage in the physical metal market because the supply dries up.
If you only have $5-10k to trade, consider silver instead.
Just find a reputable local coin shop and pay in cash. No record of the transaction and at no point are you separated from your money without having the gold in hand.
A good coin shop won't try to confuse you with prices or try to upsell you on collector's coins when all you want is bullion. They will charge a premium on top of the spot gold price, and that depends on which product you're buying. Coins typically have a higher premium than bars. Make sure you ask and understand what their premium is before you commit to a purchase. Premiums can get very high when the physical supply is low, so even if there is a dip in price you won't often be able to take advantage in the physical metal market because the supply dries up.