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The stock market is extremely volatile these days and inflation caused by endless money printing and reckless government spending has caused more and more investors to seek the safety of precious metals to protect their retirement.
With the tremendous amount of precious metal companies out there, and how can you know who you can trust, and who has the most experience with these types of accounts, and the best service to their clients?
That's why we have thoroughly researched this industry and found the few companies meet our strict requirements for excellence.
These are the the best companies we have found through our research and feedback from our readers that have invested with these companies based on our recommendation.
#1
Goldco - Readers' Top Pick
Goldco is one of the most trusted in the industry, and its precious metals specialists go the extra mile to make sure that both existing and potential customers receive all the information needed to make an informed decision.
#2
Augusta Precious Metals
Exceptional level of customer service: 1000s of top ratings, 100s of customer reviews, and endorsements by conservative talk show hosts and hall of fame quarterback Joe Montana.
Known for one-on-one educational web conference designed by on-staff, Harvard-trained economic analyst.
#3
American Hartford Gold
American Hartford Gold is a family owned company that made the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies.
American Hartford Gold is best for direct bullion purchases.
#4
Lear Capital
Lear Capital has been around for over 25 years and is a pioneer in holding physical precious metals in self-directed IRAs.
#5
Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold Group has established a solid reputation for close to two decades handling physical precious metals.
1. Goldco
Our #1 Choice
Goldco and its precious metals specialists go the extra mile to make sure that both existing and potential customers receive all the information needed to make an informed decision, which is why this gold IRA company is the one offering the best customer support of all the options on this list.
No other gold IRA company on this list goes to such great lengths to present investment information in an objective and organized way to gain the full confidence of the customer.
Goldco was founded in 2006 and it stands out in a variety of ways, but providing exceptional customer support is one of the ways it has built a reputation for itself.,
From setting up an account through their most recent transaction Goldco’s customers receive the “white-glove service” that includes direct access to a specialist to guide them each step of the way.
The company encourages customers to make the most of its extensive education center on its website. Goldco maintains an in-depth blog that covers a range of interesting topics in addition to the comprehensive list of videos and several e-Books.
The strong focus on customers is what has helped Goldco earn the highest ratings from both the BCA and BBB along with the almost perfect reviews on Trustpilot and Consumer Affairs.
You will have to get in touch with Goldco for additional information about account minimums, fees, storage, and custodians. The company will also offer you a free guide if you are willing to provide your name, email, and phone number.
Setting an account is easy and quick, done mostly online. Goldco also offers 401(k) and IRA rollovers to transfer in your existing retirement funds.
Real Reviews from Goldco customers:
"Wow what a great experience converting my 401k to a precious metal IRA with Goldco! My representative was awesome, informative, knowledgeable, and made the entire process completely stress free.
Highly recommend Goldco!"
Doug, 5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot
"Goldco is outstanding. They took me through every process to rollover a couple 403b's from a previous employer. They explained every step and helped out fill out rollover forms.
Can't say enough good things."
Lucas K., 5 out of 5 stars on Google
"I truly appreciate the time and effort your associates gave during this process. Every interaction was conducted by a knowledgeable account representative. Their guidance and professionalism exceeded my expectations.
This experience has provided me with peace of mind during our country's current economic climate."
Regina B., 5 out of 5 stars on BBB
"Two years ago I rolled over my 401(k) retirement plan into precious metals with Goldco. This event went off flawlessly so this year I sold a lot of my stock and again invested it into Precious Metals with Goldco.
This event went off so flawlessly and easy I would like to strongly recommend Goldco to all my friends and anyone that ask where they should go to invest in Precious Metals!"
- George of Cameron, NC, 5 out of 5 stars on Consumer Affairs
Pros
Cons
2. Augusta Precious Metals
Best for gold education
The customers of Augusta Precious Metals not only enjoy low costs but also know exactly how much they are paying and for what. It is due to this reason that Augusta finds itself on this list due to its transparent pricing.
Pricing makes the difference much of the time when reviewing gold IRA companies. Companies regularly claim to have a low-cost fee structure, but only a handful ever reveal their costs.
Augusta’s pricing scheme and fee structure are not only straightforward but also transparent.
Augusta Precious Metals has built its reputation for integrity and transparency since it was established back in 2012.
It reinforces its customers’ confidence further by offering fair pricing, as well as 7-day price protection on premium coins and zero fees for up to 10 years.
The gold IRA account with Augusta is self-directed, which means that there aren’t any hidden management fees. For details on setting up the account, annual storage, and other fees, you will need to get in touch with the company.
The company also has a great buy-back program.
For its customers’ storage needs, Augusta Precious Metals has partnered with a highly reputable Delaware Depository that has vault locations in several places in the United States.
Overall, Augusta has exceptional customer service as evidenced in its high consumer ratings.
The company’s transaction and onboarding processes are turnkey, with agents helping customers with most of the paperwork required. Still, customers are unable to make purchases online.
The one other significant drawback of Augusta Precious Metals is the $50,000 minimum investment required to establish a gold IRA.
The company mostly focuses on silver and gold coins and bullion. Still, it is an attractive option for its transparent pricing scheme and easy IRA rollovers.
Real Reviews from Augusta Precious Metals clients:
"Given the current national and global situation, I had been considering in a precious metals IRA. With Augusta Precious Metals, it was a straightforward process and everyone I spoke with were generous in their time and in answering questions.
I felt in control of the decision-making process and was not pressured in any way. They were able to answer many questions in the educational webinar."
- Tina K rated 5 stars on Google
Pros
Cons
3. American Hartford Gold
Best for Bullion Investors
Located in Los Angeles, California American Hartford Gold has achieved tremendous success in a short time since its founding in 2015.
American Hartford Gold specializes in creating physical precious metals IRAs for investors looking to protect against turbulent times for generations but they also work with clients that are looking to make individual purchases of gold and silver to have discreetly delivered to their doorstep.
American Hartford Gold is also our top recommendation for investors looking to make direct bullion purchases.
American Hartford Gold works hard to provide customized solutions to help individuals and families diversify with the most reliable IRA-approved physical gold and silver products.
The company believes in education is the key to success for their clients. Because of this clients have access to their Data Center, live precious metals charts and constant access to an account representative.
The customer service team is at your service to answer your questions and make the process of acquiring gold and silver as easy as possible.
American Hartford Gold has transparent pricing and reasonable IRA fees. Specifically, they don't charge any IRA fees, but your self-directed IRA institution does and these fees are generally about $180 a year.
Depending on the size of your order, American Hartford Gold may be able to cover these fees for you. Be sure to ask a representative about this when you contact them.
As far as precious metals storage options are concerned, AHG can deliver the products discreetly to your doorstep for individual cash purchases.
For IRA purchases, clients can choose from a list of several IRS-approved depositories located across the country that American Hartford Gold can deliver directly to.
AHG has made it so opening an account online is easy, and only takes a few minutes. Their account representative will walk you through opening an account and filling out paperwork.
You can get your account created and funds transferred over in as short as 3 business days.
The minimum investment is just $10,000. This is among the lowest for precious metals IRAs and a good option if you only want to transfer a small portion of your IRA into physical precious metals.
Pros
Cons
4. Lear Capital
When it comes to understanding and managing risk, and knowing the importance of diversification that can be had with a precious metals IRA, Lear Capital has been a solid choice for our readers.
Lear Capital is a reliable and trustworthy partner that can help you achieve the goal of protecting your assets. Lear Capital is committed to transparency and integrity that puts your interests first and provides clear and accurate information.
The company exceeds expectations in this regard, providing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to help investors make informed decisions.
Lear Capital offers a wide range of options for investors, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, allowing for diversification within a precious metals IRA. They also emphasize the importance of physical possession of metals, as opposed to paper investments, which can carry higher risks.
Lear Capital ensures that investors' precious metals are stored securely in a private, non-government depository, providing peace of mind knowing that their assets are protected.
When it comes to customer service, they take the time to understand each investor's unique financial goals and tailor their recommendations accordingly.
Whether you are a seasoned investor or new to precious metals IRA, their team of experts is there to guide you every step of the way, providing personalized attention and support.
Lear Capital also offers competitive pricing and flexible investment options. They understand that each investor's financial situation is different, and they work diligently to provide solutions that meet individual needs.
This level of customization and flexibility sets them apart from other precious metals IRA providers. Lear Capital is a choice for anyone looking to protect their wealth with a precious metals IRA.
Their commitment to excellence, outstanding customer service, and extensive knowledge of the market make them reliable partners for investors who seek to safeguard their assets against market volatility and economic uncertainties.
Pros
Cons
5. Birch Gold Group
Best In Price
Birch Gold Group has established a solid reputation for close to two decades handling physical precious metals. The gold-medal team also puts its talents to work, helping with portfolio diversification using silver, gold, platinum, and even palladium.
Birch Gold Group brings significant expertise to the table, having honed its skills with leading corporations in tech and finance.
Backed by this breadth and depth of knowledge and coupled with a commitment to exceptional customer service, the company makes your gold IRA process easy.
The company has set reliable standards for customer empowerment, empathy, transparency, education, efficiency, and ethics. Responsiveness is crucial to the work of the Birch team.
If you have any questions, the team provides answers in a timely fashion to help you make informed decisions.
The company connects you with a reliable precious metals specialist. The specialist has a good understanding of the industry and will get to know your financial goals and dreams.
Both of you will then work together during your relationship with Birch Gold, building continuity and comfort.
The client testimonials and ratings of Birch Gold show the level of trust that customers have in the company. The team will work hard to gain your trust while you diversify your portfolio.
The company always puts you first: from resource sharing to helping you become a more knowledgeable investor to refusing to share your contact details with any third party.
Birch Gold has built its reputation on customer service as is clear if you read the online testimonials. The company has a BBB rating of A+.
The goal is utmost satisfaction with every interaction, which is why the company’s customer relations team will always follow up to ensure that you are pleased.
Pros
Cons
Best Overall
Goldco
Goldco and its precious metals specialists go the extra mile to make sure that both existing and potential customers receive all the information needed to make an informed decision.
Goldco is the best choice that we have found for IRA investments, as well as purchases of physical precious metals.
Work with a gold IRA company that charges NO FEES for up to 10 years! Take action today to protect your IRA or 401(k).
I started BMOGAM Viewpoints as a way to compile all my views on investing in one place. I own my home, have some real estate, and own a few stocks like most people, but what really drives my interest in investing is I have a strong love of precious metals, especially gold.