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Augusta Precious Metals vs. Birch Gold Group
Gold IRA Company Comparison Review
Costs, Fees, Storage Options, BBB Ratings, Pros and Cons
- Augusta Precious Metals: Best Overall - For High Income Earners, Pricing, and Education
- Birch Gold Group: Best for Trust and Conservative Retirees
What is the Best Gold IRA Company? Augusta Precious Metals vs. Birch Gold Group
Economic volatility has been front of mind for all investors, particularly those on a fixed income. Record inflation, COVID, supply chain shortages, poor monetary policies of central banks, an erratic stock market, geo-political instability, and another possible great recession to come have thrown uncertainty and doubt into our IRA investing and retirement planning.
Fortunately, gold and precious metals have remained a stable asset class and store of value since time immemorial as any seasoned investor will attest. For these reasons, a growing number of retirement investors are looking to alternative investments like gold and silver for their retirement accounts to add an extra layer of protection and insurance against this continued economic instability. Safeguarding your hard-earned retirement savings is within your control with a simple IRA rollover into a precious metals IRA.
Finding the gold IRA company that is right for your needs can be challenging and sometimes confusing. In this article, we will be comparing the Birch Gold Group and Augusta Precious Metals. We will discuss what makes these companies unique, their fees, investment minimums, pros and cons, industry ratings, company history and culture, and much more.
To see our pick as the number one choice for the best gold IRA company here.
Augusta Precious Metals
Best Gold IRA for For High Income Earners, Best Pricing, and Education
The best gold IRA company will vary based on the investor's very specific individual goals and needs.
Augusta Precious Metals remains the best gold IRA company for high-income earners and provides a combination of an ethics-centered approach to empower the customer, the best prices, superb customer service, and expert educational resources.
Augusta Precious Metals has a proven commitment to exceptional one-on-one customer experiences with its unique educational conference calls. With an initial minimum investment of $50,000, Augusta's main investors are, typically, higher-income retirees with larger portfolios. However, many of Augusta's clients agree, the level of excellent lifetime account service, the competitive price match guarantee, and the sound buyback policy are worth the price of entry.
Augusta Precious Metals provides unmatched educational resources, a streamlined IRA rollover process, solid pricing, and a proven track record of positive customer feedback and industry ratings. Founded by CEO Isaac Nuriani in 2012, Wyoming-based Augusta Precious Metals has remained one of the best-rated gold IRA companies with the highest reviews across the industry, namely for lifetime account service satisfaction. The company centers its focus on a mission of integrity, education, and investor trust and empowerment resulting in a nearly ZERO negative customer review record.
Ethics-Centered Approach to Empower the Customer:
CEO Isaac Nuriani is a member of Ethics.net and founded the company with a vision of empowering people in retirement, professionals, and serious investors to take control and diversify their savings through IRA investing in gold and silver.
Augusta often warns against other company's use of scare tactics, sales gimmicks, and free silver giveaways to lure customers. Augusta Precious Metals stands by an integrity-first model and upfront transparency to build long-term customer trust.
Best Prices:
Though the minimum investment is higher than most of their competitors, there is an advantage with investing with Augusta Precious Metals. Through Augusta, precious metals prices are locked in once your purchase order is confirmed. With the company's 7-Day Price Protection Program, if the price of your premium metals goes down in those 7 days, Augusta will reprice your purchase order at a lower price. Also, Augusta has one of the best buy-back guarantees in the gold IRA industry.
There is a 5% markup on top of market value for Augusta's services, which is well worth it given the quality of expertise and highly individualized service each customer receives.
Superb Customer Service:
Augusta Precious Metals offers a simple and streamlined IRA rollover process. The company's customer service processing team handles 95 percent of the paperwork, which frees your time to make sound decisions on your gold and silver investments. Augusta's experienced staff will educate and advise you on what is the best path for you to secure and grow your wealth based on your individual situation.
Expert Educational Resources:
Augusta Precious Metals realizes a satisfied customer is an educated customer. Augusta's unique approach includes a one-to-one video call with the firm’s Harvard-educated Director of Education Devlyn Steele. Devlyn discusses the importance of precious metals, IRAs, and the state of the economy, and is followed by a Q&A session.
Ratings
Exceptional ratings from Trustpilot, BBB, TrustLink, Facebook Business, and Google, demonstrate Augusta Precious Metals' consistent track record and established trust. Augusta was just recently chosen Money magazine's "Best Overall" Gold IRA Company in 2022 and Investopedia's "Most Transparent" Gold IRA Company in 2022.
Storage and Security:
Augusta Precious Metals serves as your personal guide through the process of storing your precious metals. Various IRS-approved vaults are offered for storage providing exceptional security and full insurance for the value of your account. Augusta offers 12 country-wide storage depositories spread over 10 states. Locations include Bridgewater, Massachusetts, Salt Lake City, Utah, South Fargo, North Dakota, Wilmington, Delaware, New York, New York,  and Los Angeles, California. Each location is equipped with a secure vault protected and managed by a highly vetted and experienced staff of custodians, and a robust and stress-tested computer network.
Fees and Minimums:
The initial, one-time, setup fee for a gold IRA account is $50. The storage fee at Augusta's depository is $100 with an additional custodian fee of $80 which is in line with Augusta's competitors. The initial minimum investment is set at $50,000, which may be high for beginning investors. But the return is excellent lifetime client support, unmatched education, and a wide range of gold IRA rollover services.
Summary:
With the company's impressive track record in Gold IRA education, a streamlined setup process, the best prices in the industry, and consistent positive ratings from consumer advocate groups, Augusta has proven to be a leader in the precious metals IRA investment market. Â Want to read a more in-depth review of Augusta Precious Metals and its excellent services? Read a Full review here.
Pros
✓Best prices and price transparency
✓Unique educational resources
✓They have simplified the IRA rollover process.
✓Offers a buy-back program to its clients if their circumstances change.
✓Free one-on-one web conference with Harvard-trained economist Devlyn Steele
✓They offer numerous storage locations across the country.
✓No high-pressure tactics
✓Potential to have fees waived for 10 years
Cons
✓No online orders.
✓Platinum or palladium is not offered.
Spokesperson for Augusta Precious Metals
Joe Montana is the famous, retired Hall of Fame NFL quarterback for the San Francisco 49s. He instructed his financial team to find the best gold company in the US. He is now the official spokesperson for Augusta Precious Metals and a strong investor in the company.
Gold IRA Company Fee Quick Summary
Birch Gold Group
Best Gold IRA for Trust and Conservative Retirees
Birch Gold Group remains the best gold IRA company for conservative retirees by providing a combination of trusted customer service and support, shared conservative values, an understanding of the needs and concerns of their customers, and, finally, robust storage and security.
Birch Gold Group holds an impressive and wide variety of IRA eligible and approved precious metals including platinum and palladium products. This sets Birch Gold Group apart from other precious metal investment companies. For almost two decades, Birch Gold has built a well-established reputation of solid expertise and great educational resources.Â
Located in Burbank, California, Birch Gold Group offers a vast array of IRA-approved gold, silver, platinum, and palladium investment products which gives them an edge over their competition. Founded in 2003 by CEO Laith Alsarraf, the company’s longevity and broad product catalog have made them a mainstay within the industry.
Trusted Customer Service:
Birch Gold prides itself on its time-tested excellent customer service. Birch Gold is made up of experienced professionals from high-profile companies such as Citigroup and IBM.
As Birch's client, you are guided through the account setup, IRA rollover process, initial investment, and management of your portfolio by an assigned financial adviser. With a Birch gold IRA, you have more flexibility and control of your investment decisions than with a conventional IRA. You are not restricted to the most common of assets such as stocks, bonds, CDs, and mutual funds. Birch Gold Group's aim is client empowerment.
Shared Values:
With an impressive group of partners and endorsements from Ben Shapiro, Ron Paul, and Hugh Hewitt, Birch Gold Group is a trusted Gold IRA investment company among conservative-minded investors who share common values and are looking to protect and grow their retirement savings.
Birch Gold Understands The Needs of Their Customers:
Birch Gold understands the pains and concerns of retirees seeing their hard-earned retirement savings being eaten up by forces out of their control.
Birch Gold IRAs provide a hedge against dollar devaluation and protection from stock market volatility through portfolio diversification. With the company's nearly two decades of well-earned trust, retirees from numerous industries and professions have realized the benefits of investing in gold with Birch Gold Group.
Robust Storage and Security:
Birch Gold Group offers its clients two IRS-approved storage options for their precious metals held in an IRA. Birch works with Brink’s International Depository Services and Delaware Depository. Brink's has a valued reputation in the bank security industry and is headquartered at a number of locations in major U.S. cities.
Both companies assume full liability for any loss or damage that occurs to your stored assets. You can trust that your gold, silver, platinum, and palladium will be safe and secure.
Ratings:
The company shows its high rankings with the BBB, Google Business, Consumer Affairs, and a AAA rating from the Business Consumer Alliance.Â
Fees and Minimums:
Outdoing Birch's competitors, the initial setup fee for a gold IRA is a mere $50 with an additional money transfer fee of $30. The annual storage and custodial fees will vary. Please see the site link for details below. Note, these fees can be waived with an initial deposit of up to $50,000.
In terms of initial investment minimums, Birch Gold's is quite less than its competitors, which is $10,000. This definitely gives Birch Gold the edge along with their broad selection of precious metals outside just gold and silver.
Summary:
Due to the company's long-established presence in the gold IRA industry, Birch Gold Group is a trusted choice among conservative retirees and investors. The company’s proven track record for sustained long-term relationships with its customers through the life of their investment accounts makes up the bedrock of the company’s trusted reputation. Want to read a more in-depth review of Birch Gold Group and how they can assist in your IRA rollover? Read a Full review here.
Pros
✓Ranked #1 for customer service
✓Best for Fee Transparency
✓Platinum and palladium precious metals are available.
✓Wide range of gold IRAs with metals from around the world.
✓An excellent one-on-one customer-focused process.
✓You can also purchase precious metals as a personal investment in addition to the IRA-approved coins
Cons
✓No overseas depository options
✓Some initial setup fees aren’t clearly displayed
Spokespersons for Augusta Precious Metals
Ron Paul is a former US congressman, a self-described constitutionalist, and a lifelong advocate for sound money and fiscal responsibility. Dr. Paul has long been a proponent of diversified investment portfolios and a supporter of purchasing precious metals for decades. He is a very vocal and well-respected spokesperson for Birch Gold Group.
Ben Shapiro is the host of the popular Ben Shapiro show, the Editor-in-Chief of the conservative 'The Daily Wire', an attorney, businessman, author, conservative political commentator, columnist, and media personality. Another well-respected conservative endorser of the Birch Gold Group.
Floyd Brown is an author, media commentator, speaker, and the founder of the conservative website Western Journalism.  Brown is also known for founding Citizens United. He is a firm believer in sound money and an extreme skeptic of government fiscal policies. Brown is a strong advocate for Birch Gold Group.
Which Gold IRA Company is Right For You?
Both Augusta Precious Metals and Birch Gold Group are leaders in the gold IRA and precious metals investment industry. Each company values customer empowerment through education, holds high ratings with consumer advocate groups, and is ethics-centered.
Depending on whether you are a beginning investor or a high-net retiree with a larger portfolio, this will the primary determining factor as to which company you begin investing with due to their differing initial minimum investment amounts.
Also, if you want to expand your investments to platinum and palladium, Birch Gold Group would a logical choice.
If you value lifetime service and support for your investment account, Augusta Precious Metals is the best option.
Start protecting your wealth and diversify your portfolio with the advantages of precious metals by clicking the links below to each company's free investment guide. Make the right choice for your needs.Â
To see our pick as the number one choice for the best gold IRA company here.
Gold IRA and Precious Metals Diversification
Gold IRA Customer Reviews
Adam ONeill
Author, lifelong investor, and creator of PreciousMetalsInvestmentPortfolio.com.