Buying Old School RuneScape (OSRS) gold can be tempting, especially for players who want to speed up their in-game progress or acquire rare items. However, purchasing gold from the wrong site can result in scams, account bans, or losing money. The market for OSRS gold is vast, but not all sellers are trustworthy. Scammers often run fake websites that advertise gold at ridiculously low prices, drawing in unsuspecting players. To ensure you're buying from a legitimate and safe source, here's a detailed guide on how to choose a legit store to buy OSRS gold.

1. Research Reviews and Reputation

The first step in choosing a legit store to buy OSRS gold is to research the website's reputation. A reputable seller will often have reviews from customers on trusted third-party platforms like Trustpilot, Sitejabber, or Google Reviews. These reviews will give you insight into the experiences of other players and whether they received their gold in a timely manner.

Steps to Research Reviews:

  • Search for Reviews: Before buying OSRS gold, search for reviews of the website on platforms like Trustpilot. Be sure to check both the positive and negative reviews. If the site has an overwhelming number of bad reviews or complaints about scams or delays, it's best to avoid it.
  • Look for Verified Reviews: Trustpilot allows users to filter reviews by verified purchases, so look for these as they are more likely to reflect the actual experience of paying customers.
  • Check Forums: OSRS communities on Reddit (e.g., /r/2007scape) and other RuneScape-related forums often discuss safe gold-buying experiences. Players frequently share their personal experiences with different websites.

Example of a Reliable Site: One example of a trustworthy gold seller is RSorder. With a high number of positive reviews on Trustpilot and a reputation for timely deliveries, RSorder has proven to be a reputable source for purchasing OSRS gold. Many players find it to be a reliable platform due to its transparency, customer service, and fair pricing.

2. Contact Live Customer Support

Once you've narrowed down potential websites, the next step is to test their customer service. Legitimate gold-selling websites typically offer live chat support or other means of direct communication with their customer service team.

Why Customer Support is Crucial:

  • Response Time: Test how quickly the support team responds to inquiries. A reputable website should offer near-instant responses, especially if you're dealing with a large transaction. Slow or unresponsive customer support is a red flag.
  • Knowledge and Professionalism: Ask questions about the buying process, stock availability, delivery times, or any concerns you have about the transaction. A trustworthy site should have knowledgeable representatives who can confidently answer your questions.
  • Check Availability: Good customer support should be available 24/7 or during reasonable hours, especially for international customers. Look for sites that offer multiple ways to reach customer support, including live chat, email, and even phone support.

3. Check Stock Availability

Before making any gold purchase, it's essential to check whether the site has enough stock of OSRS gold to fulfill your order immediately. Many legitimate gold sellers will show real-time stock updates on their website. If a site advertises a lot of gold for sale, but doesn't clearly show stock numbers or updates, it could be a sign of potential issues.

How to Check Stock Availability:

  • Ask Support Directly: If stock isn't clearly displayed, ask customer support directly if they have enough gold available for your order. A legitimate site will be able to provide this information quickly.
  • Look for Real-Time Updates: Some websites provide a live chat with real-time stock levels of OSRS gold. If the site doesn't show stock levels, you should be cautious and avoid making large purchases.
  • Order Sizes: Ensure the site can handle the quantity you wish to buy. Some websites may not be able to process larger orders immediately due to limited stock, and that could lead to delayed deliveries or unexpected issues.

4. Avoid Using Low-Level Accounts for Transactions

When buying OSRS gold, avoid using low-level accounts, especially those below level 10 or level 3. Jagex, the developer of RuneScape, has stricter monitoring and higher ban rates for lower-level accounts, as they are often used for gold-selling or account-trading purposes. These accounts are more likely to be flagged by Jagex's anti-botting systems, which could lead to a ban.

Why Use a Main or High-Level Account?

  • Reduced Ban Risk: High-level accounts with a decent combat level are less likely to be flagged by Jagex's automated systems, as they are perceived as legitimate players.
  • Smoother Transactions: Using your main or high-level account for gold transfers is safer, as these accounts are less likely to face scrutiny during trades.
  • Avoiding Red Flags: Low-level accounts are often targeted by gold-sellers or scammers, making them more likely to be flagged as suspicious by Jagex. By using a main account, you minimize the risk of this happening.

Tip: If you absolutely must use a lower-level OSRS Accounts, avoid making multiple transactions or exchanging large sums of gold in a short period. Spread out the trades if possible.

5. Look for Secure Payment Methods

A legitimate gold-selling website should offer secure and reliable payment methods. Common payment options include PayPal, credit/debit cards, and even cryptocurrency. Be wary of websites that only accept unconventional payment methods or ask for personal information unrelated to the purchase.

Why Secure Payment Methods Matter:

  • Safety of Transaction: Using payment methods like PayPal ensures that you have buyer protection. If a transaction goes wrong, you can easily file a dispute and receive a refund.
  • Refund Policy: Trustworthy websites will also have clear refund and chargeback policies in place. Always review these policies before making a purchase.
  • Avoid Prepaid Cards or Cryptocurrency: Some scam websites may only accept prepaid cards, gift cards, or cryptocurrency because these payment methods are difficult to trace and offer no buyer protection. Avoid using these methods if possible.

6. Price vs. Quality

While it's tempting to go for the lowest price, remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Some scam websites lure players in with offers of gold at extremely low prices, but after you make your payment, you may never receive the gold.

Why Be Cautious About Pricing:

  • Too Low Prices: Scam sites often offer OSRS gold at prices well below the market average. While everyone loves a good deal, extremely low prices can signal a potential scam.
  • Market Rates: Research the average price of cheap RuneScape gold across various reputable sellers to understand what the typical price is. If a site is offering a price much lower than others, it's a red flag.

Conclusion

Buying OSRS gold can be a safe and easy process if you take the proper precautions and choose a reputable store. Remember to research reviews, test customer support, check stock availability, use a high-level account for transactions, and pay attention to payment methods and pricing. By following these steps, you can avoid scams, account bans, and frustrations, ensuring a smooth and secure gold-buying experience.

To recap:

  • Research reviewson trusted sites like Trustpilot.
  • Contact customer supportto test responsiveness and professionalism.
  • Check stock availabilitybefore making large orders.
  • Use your main accountfor safer transactions.
  • Use secure payment methodslike PayPal.
  • Avoid deals that seem too good to be true.

By following these guidelines, you can confidently purchase OSRS gold without falling victim to scammers.