By Tim Schmidt
If you're hoping to secure your financial future with a gold investment, then finding a dependable precious metals company is crucial. American Hartford Gold has been around for 10 years now and has earned a good reputation in the industry.
However, it's important to remember that choosing a suitable Gold IRA provider is like finding the right pair of shoes. Every company is different and caters to different types of investors. So, you have to select one that best meets your needs and aligns with your financial goals.
In this article, I'll talk about why American Hartford Gold is a reliable contender to help you decide whether it’s the right financial partner.
>> Visit American Hartford Gold Group
About American Hartford Gold Group
American Hartford Gold Group is a reputable precious metals dealer committed to helping individuals secure their futures with gold, silver, and platinum. Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, it offers access to a wide range of precious metal assets.
The firm was established in 2015 and is the only precious metals company recommended by Bill O’Reilly, a television host, author, journalist, and commentator.
American Hartford Gold (AHG) describes itself as a financial service provider that is committed to offering investors fair pricing and quality service. It has earned positive ratings on platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, and Google.
In addition to allowing individuals to purchase physical gold, silver, and platinum products, it also allows them to invest in Precious Metals IRAs, 401(k) investments, or TSPs.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Like all things in life, there are advantages and disadvantages to working with American Hartford Gold. Before you sign up for an account with this company, it helps to have a holistic view of the good and the bad.
Pros
- American Hartford Gold offers a buyback program with no fee for liquidation.
- There is a low minimum investment requirement for cash accounts.
- You can choose from a large range of precious metal assets, including gold, platinum, and silver coins and bars.
- There are incentives for larger opening deposits.
- Excellent customer support is offered.
- The company provides investors with access to an entire library of resources, as well as news updates.
- Professional consults are provided.
Cons
- There is no information about fees on the website - you will have to contact the company for these details.
- To set up a Gold IRA with American Hartford Gold, you will need at least $10,000.
>> Visit American Hartford Gold Group
Custodian and Storage
When setting up an American Hartford Gold IRA, it's important to remember that the service provider will work with a custodian and storage facility to ensure that your account remains IRS-compliant. Equity Trust Company is its preferred custodian, but you can also choose your own firm if you wish to do so.
Moreover, there are a number of IRS-approved storage facilities that you can choose from, including the following:
- Brinks
- Delaware Depository
- International Depository Services (IDS)
Fees
When writing this review, I realized that American Hartford Gold does not provide an overview of its fees on its website. However, to obtain this information, all you'll need to do is get in touch with the company.
Keep in mind that these prices may be subject to change, but here are some of the fees that you can expect when setting up an American Hartford Gold IRA account:
- Application fee. A $230 application fee may apply for new accounts.
- Storage, custodian services, and insurance. These services typically cost $200 per annum.
American Hartford Gold Minimum Investment
In order to invest in precious metals with American Hartford Gold, you'll need to meet certain requirements. If you want to set up a cash account, you'll need to have at least $5,000. However, if you're setting us a Precious Metals IRA, a $10,000 minimum investment is imposed.
>> Visit American Hartford Gold Group
American Hartford Gold Reviews: What Customers Are Saying
When reviewing a Gold IRA company, I like to include customer reviews because I believe they provide deeper insight into a service provider's ability to live up to expectations. After looking at the available American Hartford Gold ratings, I have to say that I was impressed.
Although there were complaints, I was happy with the company's commitment to replying to them on a regular basis. Moreover, it's important to note that no precious metals company ever has a perfect score on these review sites.
Sometimes accidents happen, or a customer service representative forgets to call a customer back. Other times, there is confusion about pricing or services. Nevertheless, American Hartford Gold has a pretty impressive reputation. Let's take a look at its performance on popular review sites.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
The BBB is a go-to source when trying to determine the trustworthiness of any American company. I am happy to report that AHG received an A+ rating.
Most of the complaints on this site had to do with charges or pricing. The fact that a few reviewers mentioned their investments going down in value is concerning, but according to the review site, these complaints were successfully resolved.
This means that there may have been a misunderstanding or error on the company's part. Fortunately, its ability to fix it is a testament to American Hartford Gold's ability to deliver quality services.
Trustpilot
There were some great comments on the Trustpilot website. Many customers praised the firm for its excellent onboarding process and customer service. It earned a 4.7-star rating, following 1,381 reviews. Similar complaints were raised by a few reviewers, and the company seems to have responded to some of them.
Google Reviews
Similarly, American Hartford Gold received a 4.8-star overall rating from Google reviewers. Most customers praised the company for its great service, while there were still some complaints about service issues and misleading pitches.
Final Thoughts
American Hartford Gold Group has been in the precious metals industry for around 10 years. During this time, it has attracted a large number of investors and continues to offer quality financial services to those hoping to diversify their investment portfolios.
With a commitment to providing education and a wide range of precious metal products, it is a sound choice for those hoping to dabble in gold, silver, and platinum investments.
>> Visit American Hartford Gold Group
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the benefits of a Gold IRA?
There are a number of reasons why you should add a Gold IRA to your investment portfolio:
- Diversification. Gold tends to hold its price when other assets, such as stocks and bonds, fall.
- Tax benefits. Investing in precious metals within an IRA allows you to enjoy tax benefits. You can choose from a Traditional or Roth IRA, depending on your needs and preferences.
- Lower overall risk. When you invest in different types of assets, it reduces the overall risk of loss.
- Greater control. Unlike other investments, Gold IRAs are self-directed, giving you more control over your wealth.
- Historical value. Gold is the asset of choice for many investors because it has held its value for decades and continues to grow in value. Therefore, holding it in an IRA for several years gives investors the opportunity to enjoy great gains.
2. Will American Hartford Gold allow me to purchase platinum coins outright?
Yes. The company allows investors the freedom to purchase a wide range of coins and bars and will even deliver them to your door.
3. Is AHG a legitimate precious metals company?
Absolutely. American Hartford Gold has earned a good reputation over the 10 years it has been around. While there may be a few negative reviews online, it's important to remember that most of these issues were resolved and that the majority of comments left on sites like Trustpilot were predominantly positive.
Just make sure that you are asking the right questions and that you understand exactly what to expect when signing up for a retirement account with AHG.
4. What are some alternative companies?
If you want to set up a Gold IRA, it's important to do your research. Here are a few top American Hartford Gold alternatives that you might want to consider:
- Augusta Precious Metals
- Noble Gold Investments
- Birch Gold Group
- Goldco
- Advantage Gold
- Fidelity
5. How do I set up a Precious Metals IRA with American Hartford Gold?
Setting up a Gold IRA is fairly simple. Start by contacting an AHG representative. He or she will help you create your account. Then, transfer or rollover funds into your new account. I outline the rollover process here.
When the money is reflected in the account, you can go ahead and select the precious metals that will be held in the account. These assets will then be transferred to a storage facility of your choosing.
6. What happens when I need to take ownership of my precious metals held in an IRA?
When you reach the age of retirement, you can begin making withdrawals. To do this, get in touch with your account executive, who will help you with a buyback or have the metals shipped to you directly.