Gold prices have been on a record-breaking roller coaster — after reaching an all-time high of more than $5,100 in late January, the precious metal’s price has been hovering around the $5,000-per-ounce mark in mid-February.

In times of economic and political instability, gold is typically seen as a safe-haven asset. It can become particularly popular during periods of geopolitical turmoil, leading to higher prices.

Buying gold bullion from retailers is one way to get in on the action. Costco’s gold bars have become popular, thanks in part to the store’s free shipping and relatively affordable prices, but they’re only available in one-ounce increments, and only to members.

If you’re not a Costco member but want to buy gold or prefer investing in smaller increments, Walmart offers some options. The retail giant sells comparable brands to those at Costco, and there’s no membership requirement.

Here’s what you need to know about buying gold at Walmart.

As of February 13, a one-ounce bar manufactured by Pamp Suisse and sold by APMEX on Walmart’s site costs $5,459.57 before sales tax.

You can also buy smaller amounts of gold — a one-gram Pamp Suisse gold bar costs $264.85 from the same seller before tax.

Prices for both sizes of gold bar include shipping.

You can buy gold from Walmart online the same way you’d buy paper towels or toothpaste — it’s purchased through the company’s website and shipped to your home. However, it’s only available online.

What’s more, the gold bars aren’t sold or shipped directly by the retail giant but by several other vendors. Walmart’s site serves as a marketplace where many sellers list their offerings. And many of the available options come with free shipping.

APMEX, Inc. is one of these vendors — it’s been selling gold and other precious metals online since 2000. We also found options sold by Bullion.com, another dealer that’s been in the precious metals business for decades.

Be sure about your purchase before you make it — all the gold bullion items we found on Walmart’s site were not returnable.

Here’s what you need to know before buying gold from Walmart.

Buying gold at Walmart is possible. However, it may not be the right fit for everyone. After all, once you get the gold, you’ll need to have a secure place to store it. And, when you’re ready to sell, you’ll need to work with a different company to turn it into cash.

If you want to avoid these issues, using a gold IRA could be a better fit. These self-directed investment accounts can hold only gold and other precious metals and must be managed with a custodian institution that stores your gold in an authorized repository. These retailers also typically offer a buyback program that lets you convert your gold into cash at fair market value, with minimal hassle.

Additionally, these IRAs have the same tax advantages as standard IRAs.

Another option is to invest through mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or in the stocks of mining companies. Investing platforms like Fidelity and E*TRADE allow you to choose from many funds, often without commission fees.

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