In my experience, I have found that the best pricing can be obtained at the "local level" through relationship building.
I googled reviews and visited a few pawn shops and gold and diamond exchange places and got to meet the owner or the guy in charge. I started buying silver at just over spot with only $2 premiums coming on Silver Eagles or Maples. As I kept buying and showing up regularly, the premiums fell quickly. I can buy nearly every 1oz silver coin or 1oz bar at spot price and now only pay $1 premium for Silver Eagles, Maples, or the occasional 100oz bar.
I have recently diversified my purchases to gold and the same thing occured. Small $25 premiums at first to now buying at spot...All within a 60 day period. I started buying 1oz gold eagles and with no premium over spot on gold, i began to ask for fractional gold and found he had quite the collection. Just today, i bought fractional pandas, krugs, and kangaroos.
Dealers like this only make money on transactions where they can buy quick and sell even faster. Relationships are as important to them as they are to me. On various occasions, I have received calls where a certain desirable product has come in and if I want it and can be there in 24-48 hrs and it's mine. He's been looking out for me and in kind, I look out for him buy coming in as promised and buying what i said I would.
You can buy from online retailers and that's good if you are trying to build up ounces quickly, but buying locally has proven for me to be quite cost efficient.
Good luck, gents!