Blanchard and Company is a precious metals investing company based in New Orleans, LA. The company specializes in rare coins and precious metals. It offers products and services for investors looking to boost and diversify their portfolios. Blanchard Gold is recognized for its knowledgeable staff, including experts in the precious metals industry and precious metals IRAs. The company also has economists, consultants, and numismatics specialists on staff.
I want to look into this company and see how it is for those looking to buy precious metals or those who want to set up a gold IRA. Here's my full company review of Blanchard and Company.
What is Blanchard and Company?
Blanchard and Company was founded in 1975, and it's the United States' largest retail investment firm. It's also one of the and most respected. It has decades of experience in the industry, and it was instrumental in the effort to legalize gold in the US as an investment. The company specializes in rare coins and precious metals.
For more than 40 years, Blanchard has established itself as a leader in the precious metals market. It focuses on educating clients about investing, specifically in buying physical gold and silver for both retirement and non-IRA investments. It is known for its expertise in the industry and is often chosen over competitors for the commitment to helping their customers build wealth and plan for retirement.
Blanchard Gold has a buy-back guarantee, which I like, too. It allows customers to sell gold back at the current market price. The company also buys other gold possessions from customers. The range of products they offer include gold and silver coins, bullion, and other services designed to help their clients get a diversified portfolio and make informed investment decisions.
Blanchard Services and Products
Blanchard and Company offers a number of coins, bars, and IRA options as part of the company's services. The goal for many of their customers is to boost their retirement portfolios, so retirement planning detailed guides, investment guides, and other market reports and market trends are readily available to customers.
When I looked at the products the company offers, I saw that it's typical with most companies of this type:
Gold
Blanchard and Company has many options for those looking for gold. I looked at this company compared to others, and I found that they had more than many others.
They have both gold coins and bars. Some of them are rare coins and not eligible for IRAs, but many are. In addition to this, they offer fractional gold coins and investment grade coins. One thing I really like about the Blanchard and Company website is that as you are browsing, it shows which products are IRA-eligible, and which are not.
Silver
When it comes to silver, there are also many options Blanchard and Company offers. Again, many, but not all, can be added to a self-directed IRA. Silver coins, silver bars, and circulated silver are all available. Additionally, you can get silver rounds and other collectible coins like 90% silver dimes, half dollars, and quarters.
Platinum
You can also get platinum bars from the company, and you can add these to your self-directed IRA.
Rare Coins
Blanchard and Company also offers rare coins, numismatic coins, and others from the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, and more. Though you can't use these in your IRA, collectors can find great value in these products as long as they have the knowledge to research.
Self-Directed IRA
Finally, you can do a self-directed IRA through Blanchard and Company. You can start the process right on the website, and they have IRA specialists available to walk you through the process.
Fees
One of the biggest questions I am asked about any company that offers IRAs or precious metals investment opportunities is "what are the fees?"
Blanchard and Company offers transparent pricing, which means you will know exactly what you will pay on the precious metals you add to your IRA. Here, the premiums are added directly into the price of the products. All companies like this add premiums, so you should expect it anytime you buy precious metals.
For IRAs, Blanchard worked with well known and reliable custodians and storage partners. The fees for different custodians vary, but they are clear and disclosed so that customers can make informed decisions before they invest. This level of integrity is appreciated by many, and the company has a track record of honesty.
Storage
Now, on to storage. With a gold IRA, you must store your precious metals in an IRS-approved storage facility. If you purchase coins or bars for investing, you can have those delivered to your home or stored in a depository.
Blanchard works with reputable storage facilities that are known for reliability and quality. There are segregated options, the storage facilities are fully insured, and all of them have very strict security protocols.
Pros and Cons - Blanchard Gold and Silver
Pros:
- Strong Reputation - The company has been in business for more than 40 years, and has an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau.
- Experts Guiding the Way - Blanchard has experts standing by to work with customers one-on-one, specifically during the IRA set-up process.
- Huge Product Selection - The company offers a ton of bullion, rare coins, and other products.
- IRAs - It is easy and simple to set up self-directed IRAs, and experts will work with you to move through the process.
- Educational Resources - Blanchard and Company offers articles, informative newsletters, and market analysis for clients.
Cons:
- You Can't Buy All Products Online - You can purchase many products right from the website, but not all. Some of the items don't have prices listed; instead you must call for pricing and orders.
- IRA Custodian Fees - These are charged by the custodian, and can add up, but this is par for the course in this industry.
- No Crypto IRAs - People looking for crypto IRAs can't get them from Blanchard and Company.
Complaints
Though Blanchard reviews are overwhelmingly positive, there are a few customer complaints that investors might be interested in knowing. Here are the most common:
- Long shipping delays for high-demand products
- Misunderstandings with pricing (due to fluctuations in spot prices)
- Delays in communication during peak times
Blanchard Gold Reviews
When I was looking at some of these complaints, I noticed that the company responds to most of the complaints, and they actively work to resolve any issues. Here is more about the BBB rating:
Customer Service and Support
Blanchard and Company is known for is amazing customer satisfaction and service. Each client is assigned a dedicated investment professional to work with, and these experts offer knowledge and recommendations based on the customer's financial goals, market conditions, and more.
Customers seem to praise Blanchard and Company for being responsive and knowledgable. They say they didn't feel any high-pressure sales tactics, and that the company was very willing to educate instead of push sales. This made a big difference for most reviewers, especially for new investors who are doing this type of investment for the first time.
Is Blanchard a Scam?
Blanchard and Company is definitely not a scam. It is a very legitimate and well-reviewed precious metals investment firm with 4.87/5 stars with the Better Business Bureau. This rating, along with the company's history of excellence supports this.
I do recommend Blanchard and Company for those interested in investing. If you don't think this is right for you, I also invite you to look at some of the other companies I have reviewed.
Before Investing With Blanchard
My best advice is to read more reviews and check out the website before you invest with Blanchard and Company. I do recommend it, but I also realize that everyone might not want to use this company. My best advice is to compare the services offered here with other companies. I made this gold IRA company checklist to guide you in your search.
Blanchard and Company has many products that other precious metals companies don't have, including rare coins and collectibles. You can see which products are eligible for a self-directed IRA on the Blanchard and Company website as you browse, and you can buy most of the products online.
This company is well-known for its dedication to customer service, and after decades of being in business, I think you can trust working with Blanchard and Company.
Blanchard and Company FAQ
Does Blanchard and Company have gold IRAs?
Yes, you can get a gold IRA from Blanchard and Company, and the process is easy. Someone will work with you throughout the process from start to finish. I like that you can start the process online.
Is Blanchard and Company reputable?
Yes. Blanchard and Company is a reputable company. It has a strong record of authenticity, and it has many positive reviews and happy clients.
How long has Blanchard and Company been in business?
Blanchard and Company was founded in 1975, so for more than 40 years. The company is headquartered in Louisiana.
What does Blanchard and Company offer to investors?
Blanchard and Company has many options for those interested in investing in precious metals, including rare coins, bullion bars, and IRA services. The company has a buy-back guarantee.
About Tim Schmidt Sr.
Tim Schmidt is an Entrepreneur and Serial Investor. Since 2012 he's been an advocate of alternative investments using a Self Directed IRA. His work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, USA Today, Business Insider, and Tech Times, among others.
