Text Gold is a UK-based postal gold buying service, known for its prominent radio and TV advertising campaigns. The company operates several websites, including textgold.co.uk, thegoldcompany.co.uk, and wewantgold.co.uk.
In a recent investigation conducted by journalist Ben Endley for The Sun on Sunday, Text Gold was among a number of gold-buying businesses independently tested to assess customer experience and pricing. The test involved sending a parcel containing a half sovereign coin and a 10g 9ct gold necklace, with an independent valuation of £640 at the time of the investigation.
How Long Did It Take to Get a Valuation?
According to the findings, Text Gold took one full week to issue a valuation after receiving the parcel. This was one of the slowest response times among the companies tested, with several others providing offers within 24 to 48 hours.
When the valuation did arrive, the offer made by Text Gold was £194.31 - less than a third of the independently assessed value, just 30.4% of its true value.
On the same day the test was conducted, Gold Traders would have paid £610.59 for the same quantity of gold, based on live market prices.
Who Are Text Gold?
The textgold.co.uk website describes Text Gold as a trusted UK gold buyer with a long history of advertising in national media. It states that their promotions have featured on both TV and radio, and also references Saga magazine, a well-known publication aimed at older and retired readers.
The company also operates under many other brand names:
- The Gold Company (thegoldcompany.co.uk)
- We Want Gold (wewantgold.co.uk)
- Don't Sit On It (dontsitonit.co.uk)
- Text Stuff (textstuff.uk)
- Same Day Gold (samedaygold.co.uk)
These websites appear to be part of the same organisation and promote similar services. They're all operated by Response Science Limited.
How Does Text Gold Work?
Text Gold's service is designed for postal convenience. Customers are invited to request a pre-paid envelope through one of their websites, then post their gold items for a no-obligation valuation.
However, the investigation found that response times may vary. In this particular test, the valuation was not provided until several days after delivery - and only after further prompting from the journalist.
Why Offer Values Matter
Gold has a clear, measurable scrap value, based on live international markets. This makes it relatively easy to compare offers between dealers - if customers know what to look for.
The discrepancy between Text Gold’s offer (£194.31) and the independent valuation (£640) demonstrates the importance of:
- Understanding the weight and purity of your items
- Knowing the current gold price per gram
- Comparing offers across multiple buyers
Conclusion
Text Gold is a high-profile player in the postal gold buying market, with multiple websites and extensive advertising reach. However, in this independent test - conducted without their knowledge and without third-party involvement - the offer received was significantly below both the assessed value of the gold and the amount other dealers would have paid.
If you're considering selling gold by post, it pays to research the live gold price, understand what your items are worth, and seek multiple quotes. Transparency, responsiveness, and fair pricing are all key indicators of a reputable service.
