How to check a gold buyer in New York
We can search New York's official records for you. Type the shop's name on the Check a dealer page, or use the Check licence button on any shop in our list.
The 6 checks for New York
Check the dealer licence
New York City licenses pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers. We check NYC licences automatically. Outside NYC, licensing is local.
- Ask the shop for its licence number. A legitimate dealer can tell you on the spot.
Check the business is registered
The state business registry shows whether the company legally exists, whether it is active, and when it was formed.
Look for complaints
Check whether people have complained about the business, and how it responded.
Check membership claims at the source
If a shop says it belongs to a dealer association, look it up in that association’s own directory, not on the shop’s wall or website.
At the counter
A few questions protect you more than anything online.
- Look for a current inspection sticker on the scale, and ask them to weigh your item in front of you.
- Ask how they test the metal, and whether there is a fee if you don’t sell.
- Get the offer in writing before you hand anything over.
- New York Bureau of Weights & Measures: (518) 457-3146
Read what other sellers say
Reports from real sellers show what this shop actually offered, and any fees. Verified reports were backed by a receipt.
Official links from USA.gov,NIST and the state agencies, checked October 2, 2026.