before you give up on gold read this........, page-3

That's great, but I can still duck down to the Perth Mint on Monday and buy gold bullion for the Reuter's quoted price of the moment, plus about a 2% premium for the pouring costs, depending on the size of the bars I buy.

The cost isn't any different whether I buy a certificate or the physical stuff. I'm not getting the big disconnect. And they'll let me take immediate delivery, or they say I can anyway.