---
title: "How Long Will It Take to Get Paid?"
source: "https://goldealers.co.uk/knowledge/postal/payment-timeline-selling-gold-by-post"
date: "2025-12-02"
---

# How Long Will It Take to Get Paid?

When you sell your metals by post, you want to know when you'll receive your money. This page sets expectations for the timeline from sending your gold to getting paid. Goldealers typically pays the same day an offer is accepted, making the overall process very quick.

> **Quick Summary:** Very quickly. In most cases, Goldealers pays you the same day we receive and evaluate your gold. For example, if you mail your gold on Day 1, we get it on Day 2 and test it, you could have the money in your bank account by Day 2 or 3. We typically send payment immediately after you accept our offer, using instant bank transfer. The entire process – from posting your gold to getting paid – usually takes only 1-3 business days.

## Complete Timeline Overview

Understanding each stage helps set accurate expectations.

### Day-by-Day Breakdown

**Typical Journey:**

**Day 1 (Monday) – You Post:**
- Morning: Request Goldealers pack (if not already received)
- Afternoon: Pack your gold following instructions
- 3pm: Post at Post Office
- 3:15pm: Receive tracking receipt
- 6pm: Tracking shows "In transit"
- **Status: Gold en route**

**Day 2 (Tuesday) – We Receive:**
- 10:30am: Package delivered to Goldealers, signed for
- 10:35am: Tracking updated "Delivered"
- 11am: Package opened and contents verified
- 11:30am: Items tested (XRF analysis)
- 12pm: Valuation completed
- 12:15pm: We call/email you with offer
- 1pm: You accept offer
- 1:30pm: Payment processed (bank transfer)
- **Status: Paid same day**

**Day 3 (Wednesday) – Money in Account:**
- Morning: Bank transfer arrives in your account
- Confirmation email from your bank
- **Status: Complete**

**Total Time: 2-3 days from posting to money in hand**

> This is a realistic timeline when everything goes smoothly. Many customers are surprised by how fast the entire process is.

## Mailing Time

How long your package takes to reach Goldealers.

### Standard Delivery Times

**Special Delivery Service:**

**Next Working Day:**
- Posted before last collection (typically 4-6pm)
- Delivered next working day by 1pm
- Saturday to Monday: 2 days (weekend gap)
- Friday to Monday: 3 days (if you post Friday afternoon)
- Generally very reliable

**Example Posting Days:**

**Optimal:**
- Post Monday-Thursday morning
- Arrives Tuesday-Friday
- Evaluated same day
- Paid same or next day

**Slower:**
- Post Friday afternoon: arrives Monday
- Post Saturday: arrives Tuesday (treated as Monday post)
- Holiday periods: add extra days

**Geographic Variations:**
- Most UK: 1 working day
- Remote areas: occasionally 2 days
- Generally consistent nationwide
- Special Delivery prioritised

[Understanding Special Delivery service](/knowledge/postal/is-it-safe-send-gold-by-mail)

### Tracking Your Package

**Monitoring Progress:**

**What to Check:**
- Track within 2 hours of posting
- Confirm "Accepted" scan
- Monitor "In transit" overnight
- Check for "Out for delivery" morning
- Verify "Delivered" status

**Expected Scans:**
- Post Office acceptance
- Mail centre arrival
- Overnight transit
- Delivery office arrival
- Out for delivery
- Delivered with signature

**Delay Indicators:**
- Stuck at one location for 12+ hours
- No scans for 24 hours
- "Delayed" status message
- Past expected delivery time
- Contact Goldealers if concerns

> If tracking shows no scans within 4 hours of posting, contact the Post Office you used. The item may not have been scanned properly at acceptance.

## Evaluation Time

How quickly we assess your gold once received.

### Upon Receipt

**Immediate Actions:**

**Morning Deliveries (before 11am):**
- Signed for by staff
- Email notification sent to you automatically
- Opened within 30 minutes
- Queued for testing
- Usually tested by early afternoon
- Offer made same day

**Afternoon Deliveries (11am-2pm):**
- Signed for and logged
- Opened within 1 hour
- Tested by mid-afternoon
- Offer made by late afternoon
- Payment same day if accepted before 4pm

**Late Deliveries (after 2pm):**
- Still processed same day if possible
- May be first thing next morning if very late
- Contacted by mid-morning next day
- Still very fast turnaround

### Testing Process

**How Long Each Stage Takes:**

**Unpacking:** 5-10 minutes
- Security bag opened
- Items laid out
- Initial inspection
- Photograph for records
- Stone removal if needed

**Testing:** 15-30 minutes
- XRF scan each item: 30 seconds per piece
- Multiple readings for accuracy
- Group items by purity
- Verify hallmarks
- Note any anomalies

**Weighing:** 5-10 minutes
- Precise scales used
- Each purity group weighed
- Total gold content calculated
- Cross-check with estimate
- Document weights

**Valuation:** 10-15 minutes
- Current gold price checked
- Pure gold content calculated
- Offer computed
- Quality control review
- Quote prepared

**Total: 35-65 minutes for typical lot**

> We process items in order of arrival. If many packages arrive on one day, there may be a small queue, but rarely more than a few hours' wait.

### Contacting You

**Making the Offer:**

**Preferred Contact Method:**
- Phone call (if number provided)
- Email (if phone fails or you prefer)
- Sometimes text message
- You specified preference on form

**What We Tell You:**
- Total weight received
- Purity breakdown
- Current gold price used
- Pure gold content calculated
- Offer amount
- How calculated

**Response Options:**
- Accept immediately (payment processed)
- Ask questions (we explain further)
- Request time to think (usually 24-48 hours)
- Decline (items returned free)
- Negotiate (if grounds exist)

[Understanding how offers are calculated](/knowledge/gold/best-price-scrap-gold)

## Offer and Response

The acceptance stage determines final timing.

### Decision Time

**How Long You Have:**

**Typical Window:**
- Usually 24-48 hours to decide
- Not pressured or rushed
- Can discuss with family
- Compare to other quotes if desired
- Think it over

**Urgent Cases:**
- If gold price very volatile, may need faster decision
- We'll explain if time-sensitive
- Usually generous timeframe
- Your choice respected

**Extended Hold:**
- Can request longer if needed (e.g., weekend to think)
- We accommodate reasonable requests
- Items held securely
- Insurance maintained

### Accepting the Offer

**Confirmation Process:**

**How to Accept:**
- Phone: "Yes, I accept" (verbal binding)
- Email: "I accept your offer" (written)
- Sometimes online portal acceptance
- Clear confirmation required

**What Happens Next:**
- Payment processed immediately
- Usually within 30 minutes of acceptance
- Bank transfer sent
- Confirmation email
- Gemstones packaged for return

**Same-Day Payment:**
- Accepted before 4pm weekday: paid same day
- Accepted after 4pm: paid next morning
- Weekend acceptance: paid Monday
- Faster Payments usually instant

> To get paid fastest, respond to our offer promptly during business hours. Acceptance at 2pm means money by 4pm typically.

### Declining the Offer

**If Not Satisfied:**

**Return Process:**
- Inform us of decline
- Items packaged for return
- Sent via Special Delivery (our cost)
- Tracking provided
- Receive items back within 2-3 days

**No Charges:**
- No testing fee
- No return postage
- No handling charges
- Completely free
- No obligation service

## Payment Method Speed

Different payment options have different speeds.

### Bank Transfer (Fastest)

**Faster Payments System:**

**Characteristics:**
- UK bank to UK bank
- Usually instant (within seconds)
- Maximum 2 hours typical
- Available 24/7 including weekends
- Most banks participate

**Goldealers Process:**
- Payment initiated immediately upon acceptance
- Reference includes your name
- Notification sent to you
- Usually in account within minutes
- Latest: by end of day

**Timing Examples:**
- Accepted 2pm: money by 2:30pm
- Accepted 4:30pm: money by 5pm
- Accepted 5:30pm: money by next morning
- Weekend: processed, may show Monday

**What You See:**
- Notification from your bank
- "Goldealers" or reference shown
- Available balance increases
- Confirmation email from us

> Bank transfer is our standard payment method because it's fast, secure, free to receive, and leaves clear records for both parties.

### BACS (Slower)

**3-Day Payment System:**

**Used When:**
- Your bank doesn't support Faster Payments
- Very old account types
- Building societies occasionally
- International account sort codes
- Requested specifically

**Timeline:**
- Day 1: Payment submitted
- Day 2: Processing
- Day 3: Arrives in account
- Always 3 working days
- Longer over weekends/holidays

**When It Matters:**
- If you need money urgently, confirm we'll use Faster Payments
- Inform us if your account requires BACS
- We'll adjust expectations
- Consider if time-sensitive

### Cheque (Very Slow)

**Paper Payment:**

**Rarely Used:**
- Only if you insist
- No bank account
- Very unusual circumstances
- Discouraged due to delays

**Timeline:**
- Day 1: Cheque posted to you
- Day 2-3: Arrives by post
- Day 4: You deposit
- Days 5-10: Clears
- **Total: 7-10 days**

**Issues:**
- Postal delay risk
- Clearing time
- Bank charges to deposit sometimes
- Can be lost
- Inconvenient

**Alternative:**
- We can arrange other payment if no bank account
- Cash collection (by appointment)
- Postal order
- Discuss with us

[All selling and payment options](/knowledge/gold/how-to-sell-scrap-gold-uk)

## Factors That May Cause Delays

Understanding potential slow-downs.

### Postal Delays

**Transit Issues:**

**Weather:**
- Snow, floods, storms
- Royal Mail delays nationally
- Out of our control
- Usually 1 day extra
- Tracked throughout

**High Volume Periods:**
- Pre-Christmas: mid-November to Christmas
- Back to school: September
- Post-holiday: January
- Black Friday week
- Can add 1-2 days

**Bank Holidays:**
- Package posted Friday before 3-day weekend
- Won't arrive until Tuesday
- Evaluation Tuesday
- Paid Tuesday/Wednesday
- Plan around holidays

### Missing Information

**Documentation Delays:**

**Incomplete Forms:**
- No bank details provided
- Wrong sort code/account number
- Missing contact information
- No ID when required
- We must contact you

**Resolution Time:**
- Email requesting info: same day
- You provide: hours to 1 day
- We process: immediately after
- **Adds: 1-2 days typically**

**Prevention:**
- Double-check form completely
- Include clear bank details
- Provide contact number
- Include ID if large sale
- Read instructions carefully

> Missing bank details is the most common cause of payment delay. Always double-check account number and sort code before sending.

### Large or Complex Lots

**Extended Evaluation:**

**When It Takes Longer:**
- 50+ items of mixed purity
- Very large weight (1kg+)
- Unusual items (antiques, foreign pieces)
- Suspected non-gold items mixed in
- Multiple metal types (gold, silver, platinum together)

**Extra Time Needed:**
- Additional testing: +30-60 minutes
- Sorting and categorising: +30 minutes
- Photography/documentation: +15 minutes
- Quality control checks: +30 minutes
- **Possible extra: 1-3 hours**

**Communication:**
- We'll inform you if complex
- Explain reason for delay
- Still aim for same-day offer
- Occasionally next morning
- Always keep you updated

### Weekends and Holidays

**Non-Working Days:**

**Weekend Posting:**
- Saturday post: arrives Monday
- Evaluated Monday: offer Monday PM
- Accepted Monday: paid Monday/Tuesday
- Sunday (no collections)

**Bank Holidays:**
- No postal delivery
- Goldealers may be closed
- Banks may be closed (delays transfer)
- Plan around holidays
- Check calendar

**Office Hours:**
- Evaluations during business hours only
- Payments processed during banking hours
- Weekend acceptance: paid Monday
- Holiday acceptance: paid next working day

## Real-World Examples

Actual customer timelines to illustrate.

### Example 1: Fast Track

**Scenario:**

**Monday:**
- 2pm: Customer posts gold in our pack
- 6pm: Tracking shows "in transit"

**Tuesday:**
- 10am: Delivered to Goldealers
- 11am: Tested and valued
- 11:30am: Customer called, offer made
- 12pm: Customer accepts
- 12:30pm: Payment sent
- 1pm: Money in customer's bank

**Total: ~23 hours from posting to payment**

### Example 2: Typical Timing

**Scenario:**

**Wednesday:**
- 4pm: Customer posts

**Thursday:**
- 11am: Delivered
- 2pm: Evaluated
- 2:30pm: Customer emailed (at work, can't take call)
- 5pm: Customer reads email

**Friday:**
- 9am: Customer replies accepting
- 9:30am: Payment sent
- 10am: Money received

**Total: ~42 hours from posting to payment**

### Example 3: With Minor Delay

**Scenario:**

**Thursday:**
- 5pm: Customer posts

**Friday:**
- 11am: Delivered
- 1pm: Evaluated
- 1:30pm: Call customer - no answer, voicemail left
- 3pm: Email sent
- 5pm: Customer out, doesn't respond

**Saturday/Sunday:**
- Customer away, no response

**Monday:**
- 9am: Customer calls back, accepts
- 9:30am: Payment sent
- 10am: Received

**Total: ~89 hours (including weekend) from posting to payment**
**Note: Delay due to customer availability, not our processing**

> Fastest results come from: posting early in week, providing phone contact, being available when we call, accepting promptly, and having correct bank details.

## Optimizing Your Timeline

Tips to get paid as quickly as possible.

### Before Posting

**Preparation:**

☐ Request pack in advance (don't wait until you want to post)  
☐ Complete form carefully and thoroughly  
☐ Double-check bank details  
☐ Include ID if required  
☐ Provide phone number for quick contact  
☐ Note best times to reach you

### Posting Timing

**Strategic Days:**

**Best:**
- Post Monday-Wednesday morning
- Arrives Tuesday-Thursday
- Evaluated and paid same day
- In account next day

**Avoid:**
- Late Friday (arrives Monday)
- Before long weekends
- Peak Christmas period
- Day before you go away (can't respond to offer)

### Being Responsive

**Quick Communication:**

**Be Available:**
- Check phone/email regularly day after posting
- Answer unknown numbers (might be us)
- Respond to emails within hours
- Make decision promptly
- Don't go incommunicado after posting

**Acceptance:**
- If happy with offer, accept immediately
- Don't delay just to "think about it" if you're satisfied
- Ask questions if unsure, but don't ghost us
- Clear yes/no helps us process faster

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How quickly will I receive payment after sending my gold?**  
A: Very quickly. In most cases, Goldealers pays you the same day we receive and evaluate your gold. For example, if you mail your gold on Day 1, we get it on Day 2 and test it, you could have the money in your bank account by Day 2 or 3. We typically send payment immediately after you accept our offer, using instant bank transfer. The entire process – from posting your gold to getting paid – usually takes only 1-3 business days.

**Q: Can I get paid the same day you receive my gold?**  
A: Yes, very often. If your package arrives in the morning, we evaluate it by early afternoon and contact you. If you accept our offer before 4pm, we'll send payment immediately, and it's typically in your account within hours on the same day.

**Q: What if I post on Friday?**  
A: Packages posted Friday afternoon usually arrive Monday (skipping weekend). We'd evaluate Monday and contact you. If you accept Monday, payment is sent Monday and in your account Monday or Tuesday. So Friday post = Tuesday payment typically.

**Q: How do you pay?**  
A: Bank transfer is standard. We use Faster Payments, which is usually instant (within seconds to 2 hours maximum). The money appears in your account almost immediately after we send it. No cheques, no delays, no fees.

**Q: What if I don't respond immediately to your offer?**  
A: No problem – you have 24-48 hours typically to decide. We'll hold your gold securely. Payment is sent as soon as you accept, not when you receive the offer. So a 1-day delay in your response = 1-day delay in payment, but that's your choice.

**Q: Do you pay on weekends?**  
A: We can initiate payment any day, but banks process Faster Payments 24/7. So if you accept an offer Saturday morning, we can send payment Saturday, and it should appear in your account. However, some banks don't show incoming payments until Monday, so it depends on your bank.

## Next Steps

The timeline from posting gold to receiving payment is refreshingly quick with Goldealers. Our efficient process, same-day evaluation, and instant payment system means you're not left waiting.

**Useful Resources:**
- [Complete postal selling guide](/knowledge/postal/how-to-sell-gold-by-post)
- [About our free postage service](/knowledge/postal/goldealers-free-insured-postage)
- [All selling methods compared](/knowledge/gold/how-to-sell-scrap-gold-uk)

**Ready to get paid quickly? Request your free Gold Pack from Goldealers today.**

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*Published by Goldealers Ltd · https://goldealers.co.uk/knowledge/postal/payment-timeline-selling-gold-by-post*