Doing Business With CMI Gold & Silver

Because precious metals prices change by the minute, all orders must by placed by telephone so that prices can be locked in at the prevailing market. Officially, CMI accepts orders Mondays through Fridays, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MST. However, we often take calls before 7:00 a.m. and more often we take calls after 5:00 p.m. (Sometimes we even take calls on Saturdays.) CMI quotes delivered prices; no other charges are added, except for small courtesy orders. Our toll free number is 1-800-528-1380.

Gold and platinum orders are shipped by registered, insured U.S. Mail. Normally, silver is shipped by UPS, insured.

Orders up to $20,000 will be accepted without a deposit. Usually, payment by wire transfer is required for large orders. Sometimes, a deposit may be required.

Payment must be remitted the same day the order is placed. When payment is received, CMI mails a copy of the invoice and a letter showing the scheduled day of shipment. When the order is shipped, CMI notifies the buyer by either phone or email and gives the expected day of delivery.

A bank wire transfer is the preferred method of payment because it enables us to provide the best service. We start the shipping process as soon as the wire is confirmed, which means that the order often is received by the buyer within a week of the order being placed, sometimes only a matter of days.

Payment by cashier’s check is the next best method because it easy to verify that a cashier’s check has cleared. (We do not ship on receipt of a cashier’s check. We must verify that it has cleared.) Verification that a cashier’s check has cleared usually can be obtained on the third business day after the check has been deposited.

Yet, payment by cashier’s check has it drawbacks. First, is the time it takes the Post Office to get the check to us; second, is the time it takes for the check to clear the banking system. A wire transfer provides for much faster delivery.

Besides, to obtain a cashier’s check, a trip to the bank has to be made. So, why not send a wire while at the bank and speed up delivery of your order? Sending a wire normally involves signing a document that permits the bank to take the funds out of your checking or savings account. (Actually, most banks have procedures that allow customers to send wires by calling the bank instead of personally going to the bank. Investors considering more than one precious metals investment may want to see if their banks provide “wire by phone” service.)

Large money orders are handled the same as cashier’s checks. For small orders (less than $3,000), buyers may want to consider using Post Office money orders, which can be purchased for up to $1,000 at a cost of $1.25 each. We normally ship immediately on receipt of Post Office money orders.

Finally, CMI Gold & Silver accepts personal checks. Before we ship, however, we not only verify that the check has cleared, but we confirm with the bank that the address imprinted on the check is the address on file with the bank. (In cases where investors have checks without their addresses imprinted, we can ship only to the address the bank has on file.) If it is a large check (or if we believe it necessary) we will have a bank employee verify with the customer that he or she actually wrote the check. (Attempted check frauds have made these precautions necessary.)

Although some precious metals dealers accept only wire transfers or cashierÂ’s checks, CMI recognizes that making a trip to the bank is a great inconvenience for many people. Therefore, as long as we can safely accept personal checks, we will do so.

CMI Gold & Silver has dealt with the same bank since 1973. Bank and other references are available on request.

CMI Gold & Silver strives to ensure client confidentiality. We do not sell our customers’ names, and we do not computerize transactions. Not putting transactions on a computer protects our clients from record theft. It also makes it difficult for someone to come in and demand to see who has bought precious metals from CMI Gold & Silver.

Furthermore, CMI Gold & Silver does not even put clients’ names on invoices, thereby providing even more investment privacy. This became policy in the mid-1970s as CMI Gold & Silver pioneered the bullion precious metals industry in Phoenix. One day a detective from the Phoenix Police Department’s Burglary Division visited our offices.

The detective had a question. “Do you know what a nightmare you’re going to create for the Police Department – and your clients – if copies of your invoices fall into the wrong hands?” Because of that policeman’s visit, CMI quit putting clients’ names on invoices and started writing their names and addresses on 5″ X 8″ cards that are stapled to the invoices. After clients receive their gold or silver, the cards are detached and destroyed.