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:

• No credit card fees

• 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