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To Put it Simply: Augusta is a company specializing in self-directed gold IRA and precious metal purchasing. They are highly regarded and industry leaders in ethical business practices and exceptional customer service.
Quick summary – they are our #2 recommendation and get 4.5 out of 5 stars
Augusta Precious Metals
4.5/5
- Award winning investment company
- Complete transparency- more than any competitor
- Quality one-on-one customer service with your own assigned agent
- Great client feedback
Augusta Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Augusta’s services are built around three commitments: total transparency, simplicity, and building custom portfolios for individual needs. We recommend Augusta for its dedication to helping its customers make informed decisions that are right for them.
About Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta Precious Metals is a gold provider and precious metals IRA company and precious metals selling company.
Augusta was founded in January 2012 by CEO Isaac Nuriani who believes in providing excellent customer service through ethical and straightforward business practices. They are dedicated to providing their services with three main principles in mind: transparency, simplicity, and customized precious metal portfolios.
Augusta is devoted first to customer service and ensuring that their customers are knowledgeable and understand which products and services will best secure their long-term investment. They provide one on one attention driven by your needs and objectives to help you build the best portfolio for you.
Augusta provides services both for precious metal IRAs and the physical buying and selling of gold and silver. The company has several depository locations across the United States and Canada and you can choose which depository is most convenient for you. You can schedule a time to tour the facilities and see your investment in person whenever you wish.
Augusta Precious Metals is highly rated among consumer rating organizations. They also have memberships with organizations that promote integrity and ethical behavior in industry professionals.
They are registered with both the Better Business Bureau and the Business Consumer Alliance. They are members of the National Ethics Organization and the Industry Council for Tangible Assets (ICTA) as well as certified through the Professional Coin Grading Service. Augusta consistently maintains a good standing and high marks across the board.
Augusta Fee Structure
Product Offered | Min. Investment | Fee per Year |
|---|---|---|
Non-IRA | $100,000 | $180 |
Precious Metal IRA | $50,000 | $100 |
IRA Fees:
There are two annual fees. One is an $80 custodian maintenance fee and the other is a $100 storage fee.
Non-IRA Fees:
There is an initial fee of $50 to set up a gold or precious metals IRA. Augusta does not charge a commission fee, nor do they charge an account management fee because the portfolio is self-directed.
Investment Minimum:
Augusta Precious Metals requires a $50,000 minimum investment for both physical and IRA purchases. This is a larger minimum investment than many other comparable companies that often require between $10,000 and $25,000.
Augusta does not place limitations on the maximum allowable investment.
Who is the Best Fit for Augusta?
Augusta Precious Metals is a good fit for any investor that is looking to diversify their portfolio to help safeguard their assets. Augusta forms long-term relationships with its customers.
Even if you have limited or no experience with buying or selling precious metals Augusta makes the process simple. Augusta’s specialists are patient and enthusiastic with potential investors and they treat every question or concern with the utmost respect. A first-time investor is given every opportunity to ask any questions they may have before completing any purchase and no customer is pressured into many any buying decisions until they are confident in their decision.
More experienced investors will find that Augusta is different from other companies because they are dedicated to ethical and transparent business practices. They cut out unnecessary steps in the process that ultimately save their investors time and money by eliminating processing fees and waiting time.
For any investor that wants a self-driven IRA account but still wants to have industry experts on their side, Augusta makes for a good fit. Augusta offers lifetime customer service and free access to their team at any time.
What Makes Augusta Stand Out From the Competitors?
Commitment to Clients
Augusta Precious Metals stands above its competition for its complete commitment to its customers.
Augusta has a focus on ensuring that its customers make fully informed decisions about their investments.
To this end, they have published comprehensive learning tools, guides, presentations, and they conduct webinars to educate individuals about buying and selling gold and silver as well as the risks and benefits of a precious metals IRA.
One on One Support
Augusta also meets with each potential customer individually to ensure that they understand the buying process, the economic situation in regards to the precious metals market, and what they can expect from their future investment.
Transparency
Augusta is dedicated to transparency in its practices. They fully disclose all “bid” and “ask” differentials upfront, they do not charge hidden fees, and your account status is kept up to date in your online profile. You can also view your portfolio online at any time.
Although your IRA portfolio is self-directed they are always available to answer your questions at any time. This leaves all purchasing power and decision-making in your hands but with the ability to call on expert guidance when needed. They offer expert analysts to aid in evaluating your portfolio at no additional charge.
You can make total or partial withdrawals from your IRA at any time. You can take the physical metals from their secure storage depositories or Augusta will wire the cash value of the distribution to you.
Augusta does not guarantee the buyback of any gold or silver purchases but they have also never rejected a buyback request. They disclose their “bid” and “ask” differentials at the time of investment.
New Client Deals Offered by Augusta
APM (Augusta) provides savings for clients that are looking to invest over $100,000 in a gold IRA and more than $50,000 for non-IRA purchases. They have 3 different clubs for those who fall into this category:
- Bronze Club
- Silver Club
- Gold Club
Bronze Club
Clients who invest $50,000 - $150,000 are welcomed into the Bronze Club. Some of the benefits of being in the Bronze Club include
- Free first money transfer
- Discounted to a $50 application fee
- Discounted to a $80 yearly IRA fee
- $100/year insured storage fee
- 24-hour online account access
- Free online statements
- Quick and priority service from the order desk
- 0 liquidation fees
Silver Club
Members who invest between $150,000 and $500,000 get put in the Silver Club. Perks of being a silver member include:
- 3 transfer fee reimbursements
- $0 application fee
- 0 IRA fees for the first 3 years
- 0 storage fees for 3 years
Gold Club
Members who invest between $500,000 and $1,000,000 are nominated into the Gold Club. Perks of the Golf Club include:
- 0 storage fees for 5 years
- 5 years of reimbursement for IRA fees
- No application fee
- 5 free transfers
Steps to Start Investing with Augusta Precious Metals
Opening a gold IRA with Augusta is simple and straightforward.
When you contact Augusta you will be assigned a representative that will be with you through the entire process. You will also gain access to their full team of service experts.
Step 1: Opening it Up
You will meet with the economic analytics team at Augusta either via phone or web conference where they will explain the current economic situations in the gold and silver markets and give you the information you need to make informed purchasing decisions.
You will be transferred to a professional that can help you to open a self-directed IRA account. They will walk you through the process of filling out the required paperwork including custodian application, transfer, and rollover forms. You will fund the account from an IRA rollover or through a bank transfer.
When this process has been completed, you will be informed by Augusta. You can inquire as to the status of this process at any time by contacting your customer service representative or account specialist.
One of their representatives will then help you to make your gold and silver purchases. Your personal IRA expert will help you to make the appropriate IRS-approved selections.
Step 2: Choosing Your Metals
Augusta’s professionals are well educated in helping you to select gold and silver that are eligible to be added to your retirement profile. Appropriate selections such as gold coins of specific sizes and one-ounce silver coins minted by the United States Treasury Department are available to purchase.
Your investments are typically delivered to the depository within 7 to 10 business days and your online profile will be updated to reflect this.
After the precious metals arrive at the depository you can schedule a visit to see or touch your investment or tour the facilities at any time. Facilities are managed by a third-party company.
Step 3: IRA or Physical Asset Processing
Augusta also offers customers the ability to make purchases of gold or silver made outside of retirement accounts. If you would rather not set up a gold IRA but would rather keep the precious metals physically, the process is just as simple.
A representative will help you to open the purchasing account. You can choose to fund the account by making a bank transfer, writing a personal check, or using a credit card. Credit card purchases are limited to $5,000.
Their precious metal experts will help you to choose from several gold and silver purchasing packages pre-selected by Augusta. These packages are designed to cover a range of needs.
Once the payment processes, your order will be prepared for shipping and delivery. Augusta’s shipments are insured and secure. You will sign for the delivery upon receipt. You do not take responsibility for the precious metals until you have signed for them and they are physically in your possession. If your shipment was lost in transit the purchase would be refunded in full.
Augusta Precious Metals offers gold and silver bars and bullion in a wide range of weights. They also offer select premium coins. Augusta also sells commemorative and collector coins, certified coins, and proofs.
Augusta's Customer Feedback
Customer feedback for Augusta is overwhelmingly positive on review websites such as Google Business Reviews, Facebook, and Yelp. Customers praise Augusta for exceptional customer service and for providing thorough but easy-to-understand information. Customers also praise the ease with which they were able to utilize the services.
Augusta has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a AAA rating with the Business Consumer Alliance (BCA). There are no customer complaints on file with the BBB at this time. \
They also have a customer rating of 4.97 out of 5 stars with the BBB and 5 out of 5 stars with the BCA. They have 4.8 out of 5 stars with Google Business Reviews, 4.8 out of 5 stars on Facebook, and a 5 out of 5 stars with Trust Link.
Augusta has received the “Most Trusted in the Industry” award from Trust Link five years in a row. They also hold the distinction of "Most-Trusted Gold IRA Company in the United States” from IRAGoldAdvisor.com.
"I’ve been working with Augusta Precious Metals – not only as a paid brand ambassador- but also as a satisfied customer. Last year I asked my financial team to find the best precious metals companies in the nation. They did the research, made their choice, and introduced me to Augusta Precious Metals. Ever since then, Augusta has been great to work with. I want to applaud their team approach. In particular, I want to commend the IRA Processing Department for their professionalism and efficiency - also, the Economic Analytics team."
-Joe Montana, NFL Hall of Famer
“Excellent presentation. The information given was precise and not overbearing like so many video presentations today. There was no pressure to make any kind of purchase or decision.”
Doug B.// Client
“Augusta Precious Metals has been a pleasure to work with. They are very knowledgeable, conscientious, and willing to answer questions. They are committed to helping customers make informed decisions.”
Tammy K. // Client
“Augusta Metals personnel were all patient, courteous, and extremely knowledgeable. They helped make the gold IRA process understandable and easy.”
Patrick F. // Client
Our Final Word
Augusta Precious Metals offers a comprehensive precious metals IRA investment experience and beat all the other competitors in experience, even Goldco, Birch Gold Group, Monetary Gold, Lear Capital, and JM Bullion.
They are honest, transparent, and trustworthy.
Augusta is a family-owned business and their dedication to the individual customer experience has earned them respect and trust in the industry and among their loyal customers.
They're a good choice for both new and veteran investors and that’s why it’s our #2 recommendation.