What's the best way to purchase Gold & other precious metals?

Specifically, if you're looking to invest in Gold, and want possession of the actual coins or bricks upon purchase (instead of just receiving a certifcate of ownership)

Any large bank will offer you a range of services to buy gold, the usual routes are gold coins or even krugerands. Just walk into your local Citi or Bank of America, and ask to talk to someone about placing an order.

Taking physical posession is a relatively expensive way to get exposure to gold. You will have to pay a margin to which ever company you get the coins from, a fee to the bank, plus safe storage costs. There's nothing to stop you keeping your gold at home, but no insurance company will pay a claim if you are broken into.

If you want to invest in gold I'd suggest you consider the streetTRACKS Gold Shares Exchange Traded Fund instead (symbol: GLD). It gives you pure exposure to the price of gold, and is much cheaper and quicker to buy (you order through a stockbroker, just like a regular stock).

I recommend Kitco, www.kitco.com. You can buy coins and bars from them and they will make physical delivery.

if you live in a major metropolitan area, then you should be able to find at least one precious metals dealer you can personally visit. otherwise there are some good internet dealers out there.

i live in NYC, so i go to MTB in person to buy all my gold and silver there. if you pay cash to a dealer you will be able to take it with you right away; otherwise there will be a waiting period for a check, and you will have to come back for a pickup.