Augusta Precious Metals Review
Ratings, Complaints, Fees, and More
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When it comes to safeguarding retirement savings against market volatility and inflation, many Americans turn to precious metals as a reliable option.
The “precious metals IRA” is growing in popularity with Americans, and you’ll often see Augusta Precious Metals, among the list of companies specializing in these niche IRA services.
The company has been recognized by mainstream financial outlets, precious metals blogs, conservative news sites, and garnered endorsements by celebrities like quarterback Joe Montana and popular television host Jeanine Pirro.
But is Augusta Precious Metals legit? How do they stack up against competitors offering similar services? We’ll dive into all this and more. Let’s get started.
Executive Summary
Don’t have time for the full review? Here’s what you need to know about Augusta Precious Metals.
What we like about the company:
- A+ ratings on all of the top consumer review sites. This included the BBB, BCA, TrustLink, Trustpilot, ConsumerAffairs, and Google Reviews.
- Offers a free one-on-one educational web conference. Get your biggest gold IRA questions answered by a member of their team.
- Prospects earn a free gold coin for participating in the free no-pressure webinar.
- Augusta produces helpful guides and informational content for gold buyers
What we don’t like about the company:
- $50,000 account minimum. Some competitors have account minimums as low as $10,000.
- Lack of product pricing on their website (common with most gold IRA companies).
Click here to claim your free gold IRA kit from Augusta Precious Metals today.
Visit Augusta Precious Metals’ website for your free guide.
Reputation, Complaints, and Reviews
The gold IRA industry was once a niche service offered by a small handful of companies. With the growing interest in precious metals, we’ve also seen a wave of new companies entering the space to meet customer demand
It’s difficult to know which companies you can trust to not only facilitate your IRA, but to still be around in five years if you need to make another purchase or sell your metals.
Augusta Precious Metals shines in their online customer review profile. The company has:
- A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- 4.95/5-star average BBB customer review
- AAA rating with the Business Consumer Alliance (BCA)
- 5/5-star average rating from BCA customer reviews
- 5/5-star average rating on TrustLink
- 5/5-star average rating on ConsumerAffairs
- 4.7/5-star average rating on Trustpilot
- 4.8/5-star average rating based on 450+ Google Reviews
- Ranked “Best for Transparent Pricing” by Investopedia
- Rated as “Best Overall” gold IRA company by Money Magazine
Sift through customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau’s website and you’ll find overwhelmingly 5-star reviews from verified customers. The company has completed billions in customer transactions, and reveals a pattern of customers working with Augusta Precious Metals and walking away with a positive experience.
In addition to their top reviews and lack of customer complaints, Augusta Precious Metals is a two-time winner of the Stevie Awards for Customer Service Success and Sales Distinction of the Year.
Augusta Precious Metals’ is a member of Ethics.net and has a 4.8/5-star average public rating on their facebook page.
Sift through personal finance blogs and YouTube reviews of Augusta Precious Metals and you consistently find positive feedback about the company.
Augusta’s reputation is a major factor in our strong recommendation of the company to readers.
Click here to claim your free “Ultimate Gold IRA Guide” and checklist from Augusta.
Company Background
Launched in 2012, Augusta Precious Metals was founded by industry veteran Isaac Nuriani. Other top brass in the company include Devlyn Steele, Augusta’s in-house Harvard trained analyst, and Howard Smith, Augusta’s Chief Financial Officer.
If you’ve visited the company’s website or viewed their content on social media, you’ve likely read Nuriani’s blog posts, or seen Devlyn Steele’s weekly market reports the company publishes to help educate their audience.
If you take advantage of the free web conference, it’s also not unusual to have this webinar personally hosted by Devlyn Steele.
Their $50,000 account minimum may be seen as a negative, but it allows their team to provide individualized attention with each prospect. This high touch focus on education, working closer with a small number of potential customers, is what separates Augusta Precious Metals from some of these high volume shops that rush customers through the buying process.
If you prefer white glove service, consider Augusta Precious Metals for your gold IRA.
Related: Gold IRA Tax Rules — The IRS and Your Precious Metals
Precious Metals Products
There should be no issue sourcing physical metals regardless of the gold IRA company you choose to work with setting up your precious metals account. All of the big gold dealers can source your IRA-eligible gold and silver bars and coins.
What’s different is in the company’s approach to selecting metals in their inventory. Some companies focus on a wider selection of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products that the IRS has allowed for inclusion in your IRA.
Augusta Precious Metals finds this overwhelming, and instead focuses their attention on offering the most popular and widely purchased gold and silver bars and coins.
If you’re looking for specific platinum or palladium coins, Augusta can still facilitate your purchase. If you visit their website, you can expect to find the usual suspects in common gold and silver bullion that most customers are interested in buying.
Some examples of the products you can purchase through Augusta Precious Metals include:
- Gold and Silver American Eagle (in various sizes)
- Gold and Silver American Eagle Proofs
- Gold American Buffalo
- Gold Britannia
- Gold and Silver Canadian Maple Leafs
- Gold Australian Striped Marlin
- Canadian Silver Soaring Eagle
- Canadian Silver Eagle with Nest
- Gold and Silver bullion bars of various size
On their website, you’ll notice Augusta Precious Metals’ offers a selection of both common bullion and premium coins that are eligible for your gold IRA.
Augusta Precious Metals also offers a selection of collectible coins for non-IRA purchases. For example, the popular Gold South African Krugerrands do not meet IRS-requirements for your IRA, but are popular with coin collectors across the globe.
Note that the company has a $50,000 minimum for both IRA and non-IRA purchases.
Claim your free “Ultimate Gold IRA Guide” and checklist from Augusta.
Augusta Precious Metals Pricing
As stated above, Augusta Precious Metals does not list current product pricing for individual coins displayed on their website.
Customers can get more details on markup and pricing inside their buyer agreement here and of course, get detailed pricing by dialing their offices directly.
Augusta Precious Metals: 877–580–2357
Recommended Custodians
The self-directed IRA custodian is responsible for administering your precious metals IRA. You can choose to work with any top custodian that specializes in physical precious metals.
Augusta Precious Metals has already vetted the top gold and silver IRA custodians. They currently recommend Equity Trust as their go-to IRA custodian.
Why Equity Trust? The self-directed IRA custodian has been in business for more than thirty years, they manage over $25 billion in customer assets, and they’re able to serve Americans in all 50 states.
Most of the top gold IRA companies recommend Equity Trust to their customers. It’s a trusted company with reasonable fees.
With Equity Trust you can expect to pay a modest flat rate of $100 for all of your custodial needs. At the time of this writing, Augusta has a promotional offer where customers can get 100% of IRA fees covered for up to ten years.
Related: Gold IRA Scams and Dealer Gimmicks to Avoid in 2024
Storage Options
Similar to your gold IRA custodian, customers can use any IRS-approved gold IRA storage facility of their choice. If you need a recommendation, Augusta Precious Metals recommends Delaware Depository.
With Delaware Depository, your precious metals are held in a private, non-government, secure depository storage facility. Your metals are IRS-compliant, and insured for up to $1 billion through Lloyds of London.
With Delaware Depository, you can expect to pay between $100-$150 annually for this level of security. As mentioned with custodial fees, Augusta will cover 100% of storage fees for up to ten years.
Claim your free guide from Augusta Precious Metals to learn more about their current promotions.
Competitors and Alternatives
If the $50,000 has priced Augusta Precious Metals out of your budget, rest assured there are other trusted gold IRA companies with much lower minimums. For example:
- Goldco: Also in business 10+ years, with A+ ratings and reviews ($25,000 minimum)
- Noble Gold: Launched in 2017, highly rated, low premiums ($20,000 minimum)
- Birch Gold: In business 20+ years, endorsed by Ron Paul ($10,000 minimum)
Even if you’ve already decided to call Augusta Precious Metals for your IRA, it’s a smart idea to request free information from 2–3 companies.
This will allow you to compare promotional offers, fees, and pricing to ensure the best pricing on your metals.
Incentives / Promotional Offers
As mentioned in this Augusta Precious Metals review, there are a few current promotions that you should claim today regardless of whether or not you choose to set up your IRA with Augusta.
- Free gold IRA kit with guides and educational resources
- Free educational web conference — they’ll set this up after you claim your free guide
- Free gold coin for watching the webinar (get paid to learn about gold IRAs)
- Zero gold IRA fees for up to ten years (everyone qualifies)
Of course, request your free gold IRA guide to get the latest information as promotional offers may expire. It’s always great to compare promotions between 2–3 companies and make these gold IRA dealers compete to earn your business!
Claim your copy of Augusta’s “Buyer Beware” guide today.
Augusta Precious Metals Review: Verdict?
If you’re opening a precious metals IRA, consider Augusta Precious Metals as a viable option. The gold IRA company is owned and managed by industry veterans and have streamlined the entire process to make it simple and easy.
The dealer can set up your gold IRA and ensure everything is done in compliance with IRS tax rules. Augusta has a wide selection of the most popular gold and silver products, and can hold your hand throughout the entire setup process. If you want a stress-free experience and can meet their $50,000 account minimum, consider working with Augusta Precious Metals.
Click here to claim your free gold IRA kit from Augusta Precious Metals today.
FAQs
What is a gold IRA?
A gold IRA is a type of Individual Retirement Account (IRA) that allows you to buy physical gold as well as other precious metals. This account may include certain gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion products.
The purpose of a Gold IRA is to provide an option to diversify your retirement beyond traditional stocks and bonds and into physical metals.
Gold IRAs operate similarly to regular IRAs in terms of the tax benefits (which can be either traditional or Roth), contribution limits, and withdrawal rules, but they require the metals purchased to meet specific purity standards and must be stored in an approved depository.
Customers typically need to work through a broker to purchase the metals and a custodian to manage the account. This type of IRA is especially appealing to those who believe that precious metals remain a safe store of value over the long term.
What are the advantages of purchasing gold and silver within an IRA?
Investing in tangible, physical gold and silver can offer inflation protection and diversify your savings, as the value of these metals typically has little correlation with other assets.
By purchasing gold and silver through a self-directed IRA, you can benefit from tax-deferred or tax-free growth (in the case of a Roth IRA).
Where are Augusta Precious Metals’ private storage facilities located?
You have the option to select a depository from various locations across U.S. cities. Currently, storage facilities are available in:
- Los Angeles, California
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Nampa, Idaho
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Shiner, Texas
- Dallas, Texas
- South Fargo, North Dakota
- Wilmington, Delaware
- Bridgewater, Massachusetts
- New Castle, Delaware
- New York, New York
Contact Augusta Precious Metals to ensure the list of locations is updated as they may add facilities over time. Your account representative can review all storage options.
Does Augusta Precious Metals offer a Buyback Program?
Yes. liquidating a gold IRA is straightforward. You can easily arrange for a full or partial distribution, either as physical metals or cash.
Augusta can facilitate the withdrawal of metals on your behalf, convert them to cash, and wire the funds to your custodian, who will then transfer the funds to you.
Alternatively, you can request that your custodian ship the metals directly to you.
You also have the option to coordinate with your custodian to collect the metals directly from the storage facility for distribution.
Keep in mind that early distributions from an IRA may incur taxes and penalties unless they are rolled over into another qualified account. It’s best to consult with your tax advisor before making any withdrawals from a gold IRA.
Claim your free gold IRA kit from Augusta Precious Metals today.
How much of my retirement savings should I hold in physical precious metals?
Each person’s financial situation is different. You should always consult with a trusted financial advisor before making major decisions with your retirement.
Some experts recommend holding between 5–15% in precious metals. Gold and silver are a great way to diversify a stock-heavy portfolio, but if you’re too heavy in any one asset, you’re not diversified.
Gold dealers are typically not financial advisors. They have no fiduciary duty to work in your best interest and are not able to give financial advice. Speak with a financial advisor to ensure you make a smart decision with your money.
Should I buy bullion or ‘premium’ coins?
In my opinion, you want to buy as much gold and silver as possible for your dollar. This means buying common bullion bars and coins for as close as possible to the spot price of the underlying metal.
Some gold companies will try to sell premium coins that trade at a much higher markup than bullion. These coins are expensive, and there is no guarantee that these premium coins will perform any better than bullion in the long-run.
Unless you’re a coin expert and know what you’re buying, avoid the sales pitch for premium or IRA-eligible semi-numismatic coins. Stick to low cost bullion.
Are precious metals safer than buying stocks and bonds?
Precious metals carry risks just like stocks, bonds, and real estate (and any other option available). Americans often consider gold as a hedge against inflation, geopolitical tensions, and market instability.
It might make sense in your situation to hold a portion of your savings into gold and silver, but understand that all investments carry risk.
What is unique about Augusta Precious Metals?
Augusta Precious Metals specializes in premier customer service. From the one-on-one educational web conference to the selection of your metals with their order desk, you’re given the VIP treatment. Review some Augusta Precious Metals reviews on BBB, TrustLink, and Trustpilot, and you’ll find a recurring theme of top-notch service throughout the experience.
Claim your free gold IRA kit from Augusta Precious Metals today.
