Prices are atrocious everywhere compared to spot(paper price).
Scottsdale Mint, Apmex and a few others have their own stores on eBay so you are buying direct from them. You can try the auctions they post but I usually just wait till I find a buy-it-now that's worth it.
I used to buy directly through the Apmex, JM, & Scottsdale websites. But about a year ago, I found their eBay stores and have not gone back.
http://www.ebaystores.com/apmex
https://www.ebay.com/str/scottsdalesilver
Added: http://www.ebaystores.com/JM-Bullion
Benefits of the eBay Stores:
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No credit card fees
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Prices are as good or better than their websites
Scottsdale will ship your stacks the next day. I got my last ebay order from them in 4 days. To put it in perspective, I ordered a bar directly through their site on the same day and it still hasn't arrived after 18 days.
To anyone new to silver: Only buy direct from the manufacturers if you can. I have bought fake silver coins, bars, morgans, etc in the past and they are indistinguishable from the real ones. I'm willing to pay a little more to make sure I don't end up with a brick of iron or nickel.
Happy Hunting!
If anyone wants to share their buying tricks/sources, post 'em
Highly recommend silvertowne in Indiana good honest people...no, I am not affiliated . I have just used them i the past. Also I have been collecting sterling or 925 for years...Old dinnerware, bowls, platters. Anything stamped sterling or 925. DO NOT buy silver plate-no value.Remember the 925 indicates it is 92.5 percent silver. Also sterling/925 will increase the same percentage in value as spot or 999. It has been referred to as "poor mans silver" It takes far less money to get started than buying silver bars. You can even find the stuff at yardsales IF you educate yourself on what to buy...After 20 years or so, I now have wheelbarrows full.