Competitive pressure among silver buyers drives up seller payouts, with offers varying significantly enough that obtaining multiple quotes can increase final sale prices by 10-20 percent.

"Gathering quotes is the single most effective way to raise your payout, but there's a right way to do it. Be upfront that you're getting other quotes. Reputable buyers expect it and will often sharpen their offer when they know there's competition. This small amount of legwork frequently adds 10 to 20 percent to the final sale price."