Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold 2023- Which Gold IRA Company is Better?
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Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold.
Which gold IRA company is better in 2023?
Learn below everything you need to know.
In a hurry? Here’s the TLDR version.
Both Augusta Precious Metals and American Hartford Gold are excellent, reputable and trustworthy precious metals IRA companies.
Two key differences are minimum investment limits and lifetime support.
Augusta Precious Metals requires a steep minimum payment of $ 50,000 for both Gold IRA investments and physical metals cash purchases.
This sum is a bit high for some investors and savers and for them going with American Hartford Gold is a better choice as they let you buy gold and silver for a minimum of $5000 ($ 10,000 for IRA rollovers).
Another point worth mentioning is lifetime support. Augusta gives all of its customers lifetime support which in your case could mean getting the latest and little-known knowledge on the current economic situation and how to invest properly.
Check out Augusta Precious Metals here. Check out American Hartford Gold here.
| Feature and Service | Winner |
|---|---|
| Account Management Fees and Minimum Investment Requirements | American Hartford Gold |
| Types of Precious Metals You Can Buy | Tie |
| Buyback Policy and Spread Percentage | Augusta Precious Metals |
| Safety and BBB Scores | Augusta Precious Metals |
| Customer Reviews and Scores on Watchdog Websites | Tie |
| Customer Support | Augusta Precious Metals |
| Refund Policy | American Hartford Gold |
Table of Contents
What is Augusta Precious Metals?
- Name- Augusta Precious Metals;
- Date founded- 2012.
- Headquarters- Beverly Hills, California, United States.
- CEO- Isaac Nuriani.
Augusta Precious Metals is an award-winning gold and silver IRA company founded in 2012 by the Nuriani family.
The Nuriani Family has over 40 years of experience dealing with coins and precious metals and their flagship company (Augusta Precious Metals) currently employs 45 people full-time.
Augusta Precious Metals focuses on supporting individuals’ retirements by simplifying economics and helping them understand how to properly diversify their investment portfolio.
To learn more about APM you can read my Augusta Precious Metals review here.
What is American Hartford Gold?
- Name- American Hartford Gold;
- Date founded- 2015.
- Headquarters-11755 Wilshire Blvd 11th floor, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States
- CEO- Sanford Mann.
American Hartford Gold is a precious metals dealer and IRA company that can help you secure your financial future by investing in gold and silver.
You can buy gold and silver with a cash purchase from American Hartford Gold, or you can buy these precious metals as part of your new gold IRA account.
American Hartford Gold, similar to Augusta Precious Metals, also focuses heavily on educating the potential customer on the benefits and drawbacks of precious metals IRA.
This means if you pay them a visit you won’t encounter some obnoxious people trying to force you to buy gold and silver without understanding the risks and rewards.
Past AHG clients report that the team offers friendly, expert service, reliable communication, and diverse investment options.
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold- Overview
To know which gold IRA company is better you need to have the details and facts.
Below I compare Augusta Precious Metals and American Hartford Gold in 7 different categories
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold:
- Account Management Fees and Minimum Investment Requirements;
- Types of Precious Metals You Can Buy
- Buyback Policy and Spread Percentage
- Safety and BBB Scores
- Customer Reviews and Scores on Watchdog Websites
- Customer Support
- Refund Policy
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold- Account Management Fees and Minimum Investment Requirements
Augusta Precious Metals Pricing
The fees for setting up an Augusta Precious Metals account are:
- One-time set up fee- $50;
- Annual custodian fee- $100;
- Annual depository fee- $100.
In total, you’ll pay $250 for your first year. Afterwards, the fee is flat at $200 per year, as the $50 set-up fee was a one-time expense only.
With Augusta Precious Metals there are no upselles, hidden insurance, shipping and management fees.
Augusta Precious Metals also charges a margin when you purchase precious metals.
The margin differs based on whether you’re buying common gold or silver bullion (margin is 5%) or premium gold and silver (margin can reach up to 66%).
You also need to know that there’s a $50,000 minimum investment requirement with Augusta Precious Metals. This is applicable to both cash purchases and when opening an IRA.
American Hartford Gold Pricing
American Hartford Gold don’t display their pricing publicly.
However, you can expect to pay $175 – $225 for account set up, custodian and depository fees.
The minimum investment requirement for cash purchase with Americal Hartford Gold is $5000, while for IRA rollover the minimum is $10, 000.
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold Account Management Fees and Minimum Investments- Which IRA Company Wins?
Both Augusta Precious Metals and American Hartford Gold offer affordable services that any American saver can easily afford.
However, the big difference is that with Augusta Precious Metals required minimum investment is $50,000 while with American Hartford Gold it’s only $ 5,000 for cash purchases and $10, 000 for IRA rollovers.
As such American Hartford Gold is more accessible to most savers and investors and they win this round.
Winner- American Hartford Gold.
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold- Types of Precious Metals You Can Buy
Augusta Precious Metals
With Augusta Precious Metals you can buy:
- Common gold bullion;
- Common silver bullion;
- Premium gold;
- Premium silver;
- IRA-approved coins.
Augusta Precious Metals sells United States Mint bullion as well as minted coins. In addition, the company sells Royal Canadian Mint products (for example Maple Leaf coins), South African Krugerrands, Perth Mint bullion coins and Austrian Philharmonics coins.
APM also trades in rounds and metal bars with a variety of private mints, including Johnson Matthey, PAMP Suisse, Engelhard, OPM Metals, Credit Suisse, NTR Metals, Sunshine Minting, and others.
Note: Augusta Precious Metals doesn’t sell platinum and palladium bullions.
American Hartford Gold
With American Hartford Gold you can buy:
- Common gold bullion;
- Common silver bullion;
- IRA-approved coins.
For the most part, the coins you can buy from American Hartford Gold are the same as those you can purchase from Augusta Precious Metals.
The two precious metals dealer companies have nearly identical inventories. And even though American Hartford Gold don’t list premium gold coins as part of their offer, on closer look you’ll see they offer exactly the same coins as Augusta Precious Metals.
Note: American Hartford Gold don’t sell platinum and palladium bullions.
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold- Which IRA Company Offers a Wider Selection of Precious Metals?
The two IRA companies are tied in this area and I give them a tie.
Winner- Augusta Precious Metals and American Hartford Gold.
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold- Buyback Policy and Spread Percentage
Augusta Precious Metals Buyback Policy
Augusta Precious Metals is not a scam gold IRA company.
They’re legit and they have internal guidelines to which they strictly adhere.
Here’s their gold and silver buyback policy.
“Augusta Precious Metals (“Augusta”) sets its sale prices and buyback prices internally and reserves the right to change them without notice to customers. Common Bullion Products are priced based on their “melt value,” while Premium Products are priced at a premium above the melt value, which is determined by Augusta based on relevant factors. If Augusta is unwilling or unable to buyback Premium Products at a premium above “melt value,” then the worst-case scenario is that you will be able to sell them at their “melt value.”
“Augusta does not guarantee that it will buy back any item that Augusta sells, and Augusta does not guarantee that another retailer will purchase one of Augusta’s premium coins. There is a risk of significant loss if Augusta is unwilling or unable to buyback any item it sells.”
“The sale prices and potential buyback prices set by Augusta are not necessarily related to, or affected by, the sale prices or potential buyback prices at which other retail or wholesale precious metals dealers or institutions buy, sell, or value the same or similar products.”
What is Augusta Precious Metals’s Spread Percentage?
Augusta Precious Metals’ spread is just 5% which is considered one of the lowest among the gold IRA companies operating on the American market.
This means if you buy gold and silver from Augusta for $500 000 and then suddenly you need to sell those assets back to them, you’ll be able to sell back those assets to Augusta for $475 000 (because the spread is 5% and $25 000 is 5% of $500 000).
American Hartford Gold Buyback Policy
Here’s American Hartford Gold’s buyback policy:
“Because applicable laws currently prohibit AHG from guaranteeing to repurchase precious metals it sells, AHG makes no such
guarantee, either as to actual repurchase or as to repurchase at a particular price. But if at any time Customer wishes to sell
Customer’s precious metals, AHG encourages Customer to offer to sell them to AHG first. If AHG makes an offer to repurchase
precious metals, its offer may increase or decrease at any time, depending upon several factors, including without limitation
inventory needs, market conditions and the price and availability of similar precious metals.”
What is American Hartford Gold’s Spread Percentage?
Here’s American Hartford Gold’s percentage:
“On the date this agreement was offered to Customer, AHG’s Spread on (i) bullion was up to nineteen point ninety-nine
percent (19.99%); numismatic coins was thirty-four point ninety-nine percent (34.99%) . The Spread on AHG exclusive coins is the
same as for semi-numismatic coins: up to thirty-four point ninety-nine percent (34.99%). However, these percentages vary, and the
actual Spread on any specific transaction may be outside the stated typical ranges. “
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold- Which IRA Company has Lower Spreads?
American Hartford Gold has much higher spreads than Augusta Precious Metals.
Winner- Augusta Precious Metals.
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold- Safety and BBB Scores
Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta Precious Metals have a perfect, A+ score on BBB.
If you go to their BBB profile you’ll see there’s barely any complaint on Augusta Precious Metals and you’ll see hundreds of positive reviews from ex and current APM customers.
American Hartford Gold
American Hartford Gold have a perfect, A+ score on BBB.
If you go to their BBB profile you’ll see there’s barely any complaint about them and you’ll see hundreds of positive reviews from ex and current AHG customers.
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold- Which Gold IRA Company Has Better BBB Scores?
The two IRA companies are tied in this area.
Winner- American Hartford Gold and Augusta Precious Metals.
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold- Customer Reviews and Scores on Watchdog Websites
Augusta Precious Metals
Besides having a perfect score on BBB, Augusta Precious Metals also shines in honest customer reviews across a wide range of consumer watchdog websites.
- TrustLink– score is 5 stars based on 284 reviews.
- Google My Business– 5 stars based on 301 reviews.
- Business Consumer Alliance– AAA rating based on 96 reviews.
- Facebook– 4.8/5 based on 124 reviews;
- Ethics.net– Augusta Precious Metals holds membership in professional associations that help ensure consumers work with companies that meet the highest standards of professionalism and ethics.
- Stevie Rewards– Augusta Precious Metals has won two Stevie Awards for Customer Service Success and Sales Distinction of the Year. The Stevie Awards are some of the world’s most coveted business awards. They are judged by respected executives, entrepreneurs, innovators and business educators.
- Consumer Affairs– 4.9/5 score based on 129 reviews.
American Hartford Gold
American Hartford Gold are also an extremely well-scored gold IRA company.
Here are their scores on popular consumer watchdog websites.
Trustpilot
American Hartford Gold Trustpilot score is 4.9/5 based on 1170 customer reviews. Of these 92% of reviews are 5-star reviews. <1% reviewers have awarded 1 start to American Hartford Gold.
ConsumerAffairs
American Hartford Gold ConsumerAffairs score is 4.7/5 based on 715 customer reviews. Of these 77% of reviews are 5-star reviews.
Only 2% of reviewers have awarded 1 star to American Hartford Gold.
Google My Business
American Hartford Gold’s Google My Business score is 4.8/5 based on 680 customer reviews.
Almost all of these reviews are very positive and there’s barely any complaint about this IRA company.
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold- Which Gold IRA Company is Better Rated Online?
Here’s how Augusta Precious Metals and American Hartford Gold compare based on online customer reviews.
| Consumer watchdog website | Augusta Precious Metals | American Hartford Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Google My Business | 5/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Trustpilot | 4.3/5 | 4.9/5 |
| Consumer Affairs | 4.9/5 | 4.7/5 |
I give APM and AHG a tie in this category.
Winner- Augusta Precious Metals and American Hartford Gold.
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold- Customer Support
Augusta Precious Metals Customer Support
Augusta Precious Metals offers lifetime support and one-on-one support for each customer.
This means long after you’ve invested with APM you can contact them to get a scoop on what going on with the economy and what’s the current value of gold and silver on the market.
You can still contact Augusta Precious Metals customer support even as a non-customer.
You can get in touch with Augusta via:
- via their official contact page.
- via their live chat.
- via their official Twitter profile.
- via their official LinkedIn profile.
- via their official Facebook profile.
Learn more about Augusta Precious Metals customer support by reading my guide next.
American Hartford Gold Customer Support
American Hartford Gold offers many ways to contact their customer support.
You can get help from AHG:
- via their contact page;
- via their social media profile (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook);
There’s also a live chat feature in the bottom right corner. However, that’s not really live chat. Instead, you leave a message to them and they respond to you many hours later.
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold- Which IRA Company Offers Better Customer Support?
Augusta Precious Metals offers better customer support than American Hartford Gold. They offer lifetime support and AHG don’t. AHG also don’t offer a live chat feature and Augusta Precious Metals do.
Winner- Augusta Precious Metals.
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold- Refund Policy
Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta Precious Metals offers a 7-day refund policy for first-time buyers of premium products.
American Hartford Gold
American Hartford Gold offers a 7-day refund policy.
If you cancel a transaction within 7 days, you can receive a full refund within 30 days.
To request a refund you can send an email to this address info@hgoldgroup.com.
The AHG staff are usually quick to respond.
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold- Which IRA Company has a Better Refund Policy?
Augusta Precious Metals offers a 7-day money-back guarantee that’s only applicable to first time purchases and first-time buyers.
American Hartford Gold offer a 30-day refund guarantee applicable to both first-time and repeat purchases.
Winner- American Hartford Gold.
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartfor Gold FAQ
Do Both American Hartford Gold and Augusta Precious Metals Sell Platinum Coins and Bars?
Neither American Hartford Gold nor Augusta Precious Metals sell platinum coins and bars.
Do Both American Hartford Gold and Augusta Precious Metals Sell Palladium Coins and Bars?
Neither American Hartford Gold nor Augusta Precious Metals sell palladium coins and bars.
Do Both American Hartford Gold and Augusta Precious Metals Sell Rhodium Coins and Bars?
Neither American Hartford Gold nor Augusta Precious Metals sell rhodium coins and bars. Rhodium bullions are very rare and most precious metals IRA companies don’t hold it in their inventory.
What is the Account Setup for American Hartford Gold? What About Augusta Precious Metals?
There is no account setup fee with American Hartford Gold.
Augusta Precious Metals have a one-time setup fee of $50.
Do Both American Hartford Gold and Augusta offer Free Silver on Qualified Purchases?
American Hartford Gold offer up to $10 0000 free silver on qualified purchases. Augusta Precious Metals doesn’t offer free silver on any purchase, no matter the amount of gold you buy.
Do Both American Hartford Gold Augusta Precious Metals Offer Lifetime Support for their Customers?
American Hartford Gold offer excellent customer support, but it’s not lifetime support.
Augusta Precious Metals offer lifetime support and one-on-one coaching for the lifetime of customers’s IRA account.
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold (Conclusion)
American Hartford Gold or Augusta Precious Metals in 2023…
Which gold IRa company is truly better?
If you’ve read my guide above, then you know that both companies are excellent, but Augusta Precious Metals slightly towers over American Hartford Gold.
Have questions?
LMK in the comments section below
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is an affiliate marketer and blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budgets and who still want to carve out a niche online and a better life for themselves. He's also passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here, or read his blog posts and guides here.