Augusta Precious Metals is a company that provides gold and silver products and services for long-term retirement investors. Augusta doesn't charge account management fees for self-directed precious metal IRAs and charges $230 annually in custodian and storage fees during the first year and $180 annually thereafter, placing it among the cheapest in the industry. It has an excellent track record full of hundreds of great customer reviews and an almost perfect average rating across all major customer review sites like TrustPilot, Google Reviews and Better Business Bureau (BBB). We recommend Augusta Precious Metals to investors looking to make a large investment of $50,000 or more who value customer service above all else and who like the idea of making all of their purchases by phone.
The only downsides to Augusta are that it doesn’t allow online orders, and it has a high minimum initial investment of $50,000, making it inaccessible to most new investors. If you're just starting out your retirement savings, you may want to consider the Fidelity Gold IRA which is great for small investments starting at $2,500 (although it gets expensive for larger amounts). However, if you've already saved $50K or more for retirement, I can't recommend Augusta Precious Metals enough.
Saving for retirement should be on everyone's mind the moment they enter the workforce. If you want to protect your investment, the best you can do is diversify your portfolio beyond stocks and bonds, and precious metals are the perfect way to do so.
In this Augusta Precious Metals review, we'll take an in-depth look at one of the leading names in the industry for large investors.
With a focus on gold and other precious metals, Augusta Precious Metals offers a range of investment options for those looking to diversify their retirement portfolio. Read on to find out more about the services, fees, and reputation of Augusta Precious Metals and whether it could be the right choice for your investment needs.
What Is Augusta Precious Metals?
Augusta Precious Metals is an online precious metals dealer that sells gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in coins and bars. It was founded in 2012 by Isaac Nuriani and is based in Casper, WY, US, 82609.
Augusta Precious Metals has competitive prices for bullion coins and bars and convenient, secure storage programs. It's backed by names like Mark Levin, the host of the Mark Levin Show, and Joe Montana, a star quarterback who publicly admits finding Augusta Precious Metals after instructing his financial team to find the best gold company in the United States.
Among many features, Augusta offers free shipping on qualifying purchases within the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii. They also offer helpful educational resources such as guides about investing in gold, silver, and other precious metals; price alerts to help customers stay informed about market fluctuations; and an easy-to-use pricing chart that allows you to quickly compare prices across different types of metals.
The company claims to be different from other gold IRA companies and emphasizes its commitment to helping customers diversify their retirement with gold and silver bullion, and premium coins. The company provides one-on-one web conferences designed by its on-staff, Harvard-trained economist, excellent customer support, and account lifetime support.
Features And Highlights Of Augusta Precious Metals
Let’s take a closer look at what Augusta Precious Metals offers.
#1 A Highly-Rated Gold IRA Provider
Augusta Precious Metals has an excellent track record among its customers. It's one of the best-rated companies we've reviewed, rated A+ by Better Business Bureau (BBB), where it has a 4.97/5 star rating based on 122 customer reviews. It also sports a 5.0 rating based on 278 reviews on TrustLink and a 4.9/5 rating based on 221 reviews on Google My Business. Additional social proof includes an AAA rating from Business Consumer Alliance with 85 reviews, a 4.8 rating on Facebook based on 79 reviews, and it was awarded the Stevie® Awards for customer service and business development achievements.
This alone is proof enough that we're dealing with a serious company that takes consumer satisfaction to heart. Furthermore, Augusta Precious Metals has a high rating on:
- Ethics.net, which recognizes companies with outstanding ethical standards.
- IRA Gold Advisor as one of America’s top-rated gold IRA companies since 2017.
- Consumer Affairs with a 4.9/5-star review based on 131 votes.
These ratings show that Augusta Precious Metals is highly trusted by its customers when it comes to providing quality products and services related to investing in precious metals such as gold or silver IRAs.
#2 Transparency
Transparency is an essential feature of any gold IRA provider. This refers to how open the company is in terms of business practices, pricing, customer service, shipping services, and more. Transparency in general is an assurance of good customer experience since it ensures you always know what to expect.
Augusta Precious Metals‘ transparency is evidenced in the hundreds of user reviews mentioned above. These reviews let you compare what the company says it'll do and what it actually does with its clients' investments. In addition to these reviews, you can also learn every detail you want about your gold IRA account by visiting the company's website or speaking with an account representative.
The website itself provides detailed descriptions of each gold product, including 24/7 price monitoring and a clear pricing scheme. The company is also transparent about its security. All transactions are conducted over secured networks, protecting your data from identity theft or fraudulent activity occurring during a transaction. Additionally, Augusta Precious Metals offers real-time notifications concerning the status and progress of each order so that you know exactly when your order will arrive at its destination.
Finally, Augusta Precious Metals has a team of certified gold specialists who undergo rigorous training and know all the company's business practices. This allows them to assist clients when making important decisions related to their precious metals purchases or retirement accounts. They provide free, no-obligation consultations so clients can understand how best to proceed with investment decisions. This always considers ethical standards and client safety as top priorities for any transaction process.
#3 Simplicity
Augusta Precious Metals strives to make accessing physical gold and silver investments easier and more achievable for individuals. Simplicity is a feature that makes this goal possible, as it allows their customers to understand and access precious metals with minimal effort and time. This is important because many people are interested in investing in gold or silver but may not have the knowledge or experience to do so effectively. With Augusta’s simple system, they can receive all the assistance necessary without feeling overwhelmed by the complex technical analysis of market trends and forecasts.
Simplicity means that customers can set up an account easily and quickly, with no waiting period or paperwork involved. Everything from the process of setting up your account to making your first purchase of precious metals is clearly documented and explained step-by-step in helpful tutorials.
New investors who are unfamiliar with how these investment platforms work will find these tutorials extremely helpful in understanding what they need to do to get started. After completing their purchase, customers can track their orders every step of the way with real-time updates on shipments, delivery dates, order status changes, etc., in a straightforward, user-friendly manner.
#4 Best-In-Industry Customer Service
Service is a crucial aspect of Augusta Precious Metals, and it's a feature the company prides itself on (there's a reason why it has such exceptionally-high ratings). The company’s website states that they have a “best-in-industry commitment” to their customers and it shows. Every team member is dedicated to helping customers diversify their retirement with gold and silver bullion and premium coins. According to Augusta Precious Metals reviews, this is one of the top features that sets Augusta Precious Metals apart from other precious metal IRA providers, Birch Gold Group and Noble Gold included.
The specific highlights of Augusta Precious Metals' customer service include:
- An entire crew of gold and silver professionals to assist customers and guide them to profitable investments.
- A streamlined process for purchasing precious metals.
- Customer support for life.
The company also offers a one-on-one webinar led by an on-staff, Harvard-trained economist to answer customer questions about setting up and funding a precious metals IRA. Furthermore, Augusta Precious Metals offers free storage for up to 10 years and free shipping.
#5 Educational Resources
Education is essential to making informed decisions about investing in any asset, including precious metals IRAs. Augusta Precious Metals also stands out among its competitors for its extensive selection of educational resources. This comprehensive collection of educational materials includes step-by-step guides on how to open an account with Augusta or roll over an existing IRA into their system.
The courses also cover the eligibility requirements for a gold IRA as well as the benefits and risks associated with such investments. The company also provides an informative video library that includes information on inflation, market trends, asset allocation, and diversification strategies you can use when choosing a self-directed retirement account. Combine that with regular educational webinars with professionals to help you understand investing in precious metals and you're laughing.
In short, customers have access to guidance directly from industry experts without having to pay extra fees or wait long periods to get assistance. This helps you quickly and accurately assess your investments based on your knowledge level, risk tolerance, and financial goals.
#6 Internal Compliance
Internal compliance in an investment company refers to the policies, procedures, and controls put in place to ensure that the company and its employees comply with applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards.
Investment companies, such as Augusta Precious Metals, are subject to a complex web of regulations and rules that are designed to protect investors and promote market integrity. Compliance with these regulations is critical to maintain the trust of investors and avoid legal and reputational risks.
Augusta Precious Metals has strong internal compliance policies, demonstrating the company’s commitment to upholding regulations, adhering to industry best practices, and protecting its customers from potential legal issues.
The company keeps an internal compliance team that offers ongoing employee training on all applicable laws and regulations, oversees phone call monitoring systems, conducts periodic internal audits, creates compliant materials and marketing messages, and warns customers about “bad reasons” to buy gold. Additionally, it hires professionals who guide systems design as well as oversee investment activities.
#7 IRA-Eligible Coins
Augusta Precious Metals provides customers with a wide variety of coins all of which are eligible for their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). These coins include gold and silver American Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, and South African Krugerrands. Other rarer coins, such as Austrian Philharmonics or British Britannias, are also available.
Each coin you purchase through Augusta Precious Metals has weight and purity requirements which must be met to be eligible for an IRA investment account. This assures customers that they get their money's worth in high-quality metals with their investment.
Pros Of Augusta Precious Metals
- Provides one of the best customer services in the gold IRA industry with knowledgeable and helpful staff.
- Offers competitive prices on a variety of precious metal investment products.
- Offers secure and insured storage for customers’ purchases in their depository accounts.
- Has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and near-perfect user ratings in multiple user review sites.
- Wide selection of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins ranging from bullion to numismatic coins for purchase or sale.
- Augusta Precious Metals offers precious metals IRA accounts that allow investors to diversify retirement portfolios with physical precious metal investments as permitted by IRS regulations.
- The company provides excellent customer service by answering questions quickly and providing helpful advice about investing in precious metals. They are also happy to work with customers with special requests or needs related to their purchases.
Cons Of Augusta Precious Metals
- High minimum investments: Investors must meet a $50,000 minimum purchase requirement before opening an Augusta Precious Metals account, which is very high and prohibitive for many investors, particularly for those only starting to save for retirement.
- No online orders: Augusta doesn't let you place buy or sell orders of precious metals online.
- No buyback or resale guarantee: It is important to note that the company cannot guarantee that any metals purchased will appreciate or be sold for a profit. Several competitors like Fidelity and Birch Gold Group do offer buy-back guarantees.
- High premium prices: The price at which Augusta Precious Metals sells its premium coins is higher than the market price for similar items.
Pricing
- Augusta Precious Metals has a high minimum investment threshold of $50,000. However, they don't impose maximum investment limits.
- You must pay a one-time $50 application fee when setting up an account.
- Augusta doesn't charge management fees for self-managed gold or precious metal IRAs. However, you will need to pay custodian and storage charges. These are an average of $280 for the first year and $180 annually thereafter.
- Additionally, customers will have access to an account executive or agent who will guide them through investing in precious metals and managing their investments.
- It’s worth noting that Augusta Precious Metals has a higher account minimum than most competitors.
The Bottom Line
Augusta Precious Metals is a company that provides gold and silver products and services for long-term retirement investors. It has an excellent track record full of hundreds of great customer reviews. Augusta doesn't charge account management fees for self-directed precious metal IRAs and charges $230 annually in custodian and storage fees during the first year and $180 annually thereafter, placing it among the cheapest in the industry. With the best-rated customer service in the industry, we believe Augusta is the best option when investing in a gold or other precious metal IRA, provided you can meet the $50,000 or more minimum investment.
Augusta Precious Metals FAQs
Is Augusta Precious Metals worth it?
Yes, Augusta Precious Metals is worth it. They are an established, reputable precious metals dealer that offers a wide selection of gold, silver, and other precious metals coins, bars, and rounds at competitive prices. They also provide secure storage programs with trusted vaults and have a knowledgeable team available to help customers understand the ever-changing market trends. Finally, they provide free shipping on all qualified purchases.
Are Augusta Precious Metals IRAs safe?
Yes, Augusta Precious Metals is safe. It is an online bullion dealer that has been in business since 2012 and holds a BBB (Better Business Bureau) rating of A+. They offer secure shipping and payment options, as well as competitive pricing. Furthermore, they are fully insured against potential losses during shipping or storage.
Is Augusta Precious Metals legit?
Augusta Precious Metals is a legitimate precious metal IRA supplier partnered with custodian Equity Trust. They are praised for their ease of use, transparency, and straightforwardness. They have an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau and have been BBB accredited since 2015, with no complaints.
What is the safest precious metal to invest in?
The safest precious metal to invest in is probably gold. Gold is the most stable and well-known of all the precious metals, and it has a long history of acting as a haven for investors. It is typically considered one of the most secure investments, especially during economic uncertainty. Silver and platinum are also good investments. However, they may be more volatile than gold due to their small market size.
Which precious metal should I invest in in 2023?
The best precious metal to invest in this 2023 is likely gold due to its historical stability and strong purchasing power. Gold can be purchased as coins or bars, through a broker or dealer, or even through an exchange-traded fund (ETF). Other precious metals such as silver, platinum, and palladium may also offer good investment potential.
