How does commission work in metals?
Unlike a stock trade, a metals purchase rarely shows a line-item commission. The salesperson's pay comes out of the spread between what the company pays for the product and what you pay, so the commission is inside the premium, invisible unless you ask.
Rates vary by product and company, but the pattern is consistent across the industry: standard bullion carries modest margins; proofs, exclusives, and graded modern coins carry the largest ones.
Why does hidden commission shape the pitch?
Incentives explain nearly every sales tactic in this industry. When a caller steers you away from the bullion you asked about toward a 'limited' premium coin, they are not optimizing your portfolio, they are optimizing their payout.
This is why the same company can quote bullion at a fair premium in one breath and push collectibles at triple the margin in the next. Both prices are 'the price'; only one is the fair one.
How does commission show up in practice?
One question cuts through: 'What do you personally earn on this product versus the standard bullion version?' You may not get a number, but the reaction tells you whether the recommendation serves you or them. A dealer confident in fair pricing has nothing to hide.