When securing wealth in an unpredictable economy, many investors turn to precious metals as a reliable hedge. Among the top names in the precious metals industry, American Hartford Gold has emerged as a prominent player, especially for those looking to invest in gold, silver, and other precious metals through IRAs or direct purchases.
Founded to make these investments accessible to everyday investors, American Hartford Gold has earned a reputation for competitive pricing, educational resources, and a customer-focused approach.
American Hartford: A Brief Overview
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, American Hartford Gold has provided precious metals and IRA-related services for over a decade. They’ve earned a solid reputation in the industry as a reliable precious metals company.
American Hartford Gold also distinguishes itself by catering to a diverse client base, from individual investors securing their finances to well-known figures like Bill O’Reilly, a conservative commentator, and Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City. Their commitment has fostered a loyal customer following.
Over the years, American Hartford Gold has also achieved an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and near-perfect scores from platforms like Google Reviews and Trustpilot.
Services it Offers
American Hartford Gold (AHG) provides a comprehensive selection of precious metals, including gold, silver, palladium, and platinum coins and bullion. They also offer the option to invest in gold and silver through gold IRAs, making it easy for clients to diversify their portfolios with physical assets.
If you’re interested in exploring AHG’s offerings, here are some of the services that have earned them a loyal customer base:
Asset Custodian and Storage
With precious metals IRAs, a custodian or third party is responsible for holding assets, securing funds, and managing tax reporting for the IRS. For customers who choose American Hartford Gold, Equity Trust Company serves as the primary custodian, though AHG can also work with a custodian of your choice.
When it comes to storage, AHG offers a range of options, including International Depository Services (IDS), the Delaware Depository, and Brinks. These facilities, located across Delaware, Nevada, Texas, Salt Lake City, New York, and Los Angeles, provide customers with flexibility in selecting a convenient depository for their IRA bullion.
IRA Transfers and Rollovers
In addition to offering gold, silver, and platinum, AHG facilitates 401(k) and IRA rollovers or transfers into a Gold Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA). They even provide the option to deliver precious metals directly to your doorstep. This is a great advantage for clients with retirement accounts that do not support physical precious metals, allowing them to transition seamlessly into a gold IRA for secure, long-term investment.
AHG also assists in setting up self-directed IRA accounts and guiding clients in selecting gold and silver investments to support informed decision-making.
Internationally Sourced Products
Some of AHG’s precious metals are sourced from around the world, including Canada, Australia, China, and Switzerland, and are eligible for both IRA and non-IRA purchases. This international selection gives customers a broader range of investment options.
While AHG has a variety of globally sourced bars and coins, specific items may vary based on availability.
Buyback Commitment
AHG is one of the few Gold IRA providers offering a buyback program. With their Buyback Commitment, customers can resell their precious metals to AHG quickly and without extra costs.
This program provides a convenient way to liquidate assets when the time is right. To qualify, clients must resell only assets purchased directly from AHG. Note that the company makes payments for buybacks after arranging transportation.
Customer Support
A notable aspect of AHG is its commitment to providing professional and transparent guidance and helping clients make sound investment decisions—a quality that led Bill O’Reilly to recommend the company.
To gauge their customer service firsthand, inquire about their promotional offer of up to $10,000 in free silver on qualifying purchases. The team made it easy to understand the promotion and answered all questions with patience and clarity.
From experience and numerous positive reviews, it’s clear that American Hartford Gold is dedicated to offering exceptional support, making it a reliable and accessible investment partner.
American Hartford Gold Service Fee
While American Hartford Gold does not list investment pricing directly on its website, here are some general fee considerations for investors:
- Setup: Setting up an account with American Hartford Gold is free of charge.
- Asset Storage: An annual storage fee of $180 applies for storing your precious metals purchased through AHG.
- Active Account Minimum: A minimum account balance of $10,000 is required to maintain an active account.
It’s important to remember that American Hartford Gold’s precious metals prices fluctuate with market rates, which will impact the overall cost of your investments.
What Makes American Hartford Gold Stand Out?
American Hartford Gold’s customer service is excellent, with staff available 24/7. This commitment to accessibility helps AHG stand out as a top choice in the IRA market.
Additionally, the company boosts client confidence by offering a wide array of educational resources, including blogs, real-time price tracking, and precious metals price graphs, allowing investors to make informed decisions.
AHG found that they simplify the investment process by providing professional consultation and guiding clients through each step. Notably, the company offers a flexible fee structure where annual fees scale with the size of the investment. This ensures that you’re only charged proportionally to your usage, helping avoid unnecessary costs.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Consistent positive customer reviews highlight AHG’s focus on customer experience.
- Special offers, including up to $10,000 in free silver and up to three years of waived account maintenance fees.
- Customer support is available 24/7.
- The minimum IRA investment requirement of $10K, is significantly lower than the $25K–$50K required by other top companies.
- Straightforward buyback process with no liquidation fees.
- Price match policy to offer competitive investment deals.
- Up to three years of storage, maintenance, and insurance for IRA rollovers.
Cons
- The website does not list prices.
- AHG does not offer international shipping for precious metals; clients outside the U.S. must store assets in U.S.-based depositories.
American Hartford Gold Ratings on Consumer Review Sites
Consumer Protection Agency
Rating
Number of Reviews
Complaints in the Past 12 Months
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
A+
501
5 complaints closed
Business Consumer Alliance
AA
8
2 complaints closed
TrustPilot
4.9/5
1,155
1 negative review
Consumer Affairs
4.7/5
258
N/A
Is American Hartford Gold Reliable?
With high ratings on trusted review platforms such as the BBB, BCA, and Trustpilot, American Hartford Gold (AHG) has proven itself to be a reliable partner in precious metals investments. Over the years, the company has delivered more than $1 billion in gold and silver to customers, strengthening its reputation for dependability.
Additionally, AHG achieved the #1 Gold Company ranking on Inc. 5000’s 2021 list of America’s fastest-growing private firms. As Rick Harrison and numerous clients attest, American Hartford Gold is a trusted expert in the market.
Final Thoughts
American Hartford Gold has established its reputation and reliability through top-notch services, a professional support team, and unique investment offers. Although some drawbacks—such as the lack of a price listing and limited international access—the company’s extensive benefits make it a valuable choice for U.S.-based investors.
Thoroughly review the investment process and opportunities a company offers before committing.
FAQs
1. How does American Hartford Gold's buyback program work?
AHG’s buyback program allows customers to resell their precious metals to the company without extra costs. To qualify, the assets must have been purchased directly from AHG, and the company arranges transportation for the metals when buying them back.
2. Does American Hartford Gold assist with IRA rollovers?
Yes, AHG helps customers rollover or transfer their 401(k) and traditional IRA accounts to a Gold Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA), offering an option for secure, physical asset investment. They also guide clients through setting up self-directed IRA accounts.
3. Are there storage options with American Hartford Gold?
AHG offers several storage depositories, including International Depository Services (IDS), the Delaware Depository, and Brinks. These facilities are located in various states, giving customers flexibility in choosing a depository location.