American Hartford Gold Review: Prices, Fees, and Minimum Investment Requirements
Many people prefer to invest in Gold, Silver, and Platinum because precious metals can offer protection when the economy falls, and the stocks crash.
There are many precious metal investment companies in the U.S., but not all are created equal. The American Hartford Gold Group is a gold IRA company and precious metals dealer. This article will review its history, services, advantages, and disadvantages.
American Hartford Gold Background
American Hartford Gold is a privately held gold dealer founded in 2015 and based in Los Angeles, California. The current Chief Executive officer of American Hartford Gold is Sanford Mann, and the current president is Scott Gerlis.
American Hartford Gold helps people invest in precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum coins and bars, as well as the innovative precious metal IRA. The company delivers precious physical metals to its client’s doorstep. Additionally, they supply precious metal investments to individual retirement accounts, such as an IRA, 401(k), and TSP.
American Hartford Gold has multiple great reviews online from many trustworthy and reliable companies. They have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and an AA rating from the Business Consumer Alliance (BCA). The company also has a five-star customer satisfaction rating on TrustLink and TrustPilot. Moreover, the company ranked 74th in Inc 5000’s “fastest-growing private financial services companies based in the United States” list.
American Hartford Gold
What’s offered
Self-directed precious metals IRA; silver and gold bullion, coin, and bars
As mentioned above, American Hartford Gold offers three ways to invest:
Gold coins, bullion coins, and bars
Silver coins and bars
Gold and Silver IRA
Precious Metals IRA
Investors can establish a gold IRA through American Hartford Gold. The process can take as little as three days. Eligible accounts include:
Traditional IRA
Roth IRA
401(k)
403(b)
457
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
A Gold IRA is a self-directed retirement account that allows people to invest in physical coins, bars, and precious metal-related stocks. Some people firmly believe a gold IRA is more profitable than regular IRAs and 401(k)s because, unlike paper money, these metals are intrinsically valuable resources. Moreover, precious metals are negatively correlated with the stock market, meaning that when the stock market crashes, the demand for gold rises. Many people feel that gold gives their investments security. Moreover, a Gold IRA provides people with tax-exempt retirement savings to help them grow their money over time. When it’s time to retire, account holders can:
Sell their assets and receive money against the value
Get physical gold or silver
Silver, Gold, and Platinum Products
Investing in precious metals may help people preserve their purchasing power over time. Buying precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum now enables you to protect your portfolio during periods of high inflation. American Hartford Gold only offers gold and silver; they do not deal in platinum or other precious metals. Moreover, they do not sell gold futures, birch gold, or gold ETF.
The company offers a widespread of gold and silver products. These include bars, bullion, and circulated and uncirculated rare coins from the South African, Perth, Royal Canadian, and U.S. Mints.
Featured American Hartford Gold products are Gold and Silver American Eagle Coins (U.S. Mint) and Gold and Silver Canadian Buffalo 2020 coins (Royal Canadian Mint).
Buying precious metals from American Hartford Gold is as easy as 1-2-3.
Call 800-462-0071 and express your needs to one of the account executives.
Find the benefits of each precious metal and which option is best for you.
Get precious metals delivered to your doorstep.
American Hartford Gold Prices and Fees
American Hartford Gold has minimum silver and gold investment requirements. The company has a $10,000 minimum for purchases through a Gold or Silver IRA. The self-directed IRA institution charges fees that typically range around $180 per year. Depending on the investment size, American Hartford Gold may cover all costs, including the storage fee, for up to three years. Additionally, transferring an existing retirement account to an American Hartford Gold IRA is free of charge. Moreover, buyers get free storage and insurance for up to three years.
Service Type
Investment Minimum
Fees
Gold and Silver IRA
$10,000
$180/year
Cash Gold and Silver purchases
$2,500
$0
American Hartford Gold does not list pricing on their website for their physical gold and silver products. However, you can expect a gold bar to be priced differently than collectible coins or silver coins. To inquire about pricing, you can speak to an account executive by calling 800-462-00710.
Lastly, all orders from American Hartford Gold include free shipping, insurance, and tracking at no additional cost.
American Hartford Gold Pros and Cons
Like any financial service company, American Hartford Gold has its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
Up-to-Date Market Information
On American Hartford Gold’s official website, investors can check the prices of their holdings with real-time market data and reports on gold, silver, and platinum.
Price Match Guarantee
American Hartford Gold guarantees to meet or beat any competitor’s price. Buyers can save up to 30% on select gold and silver.
Free Silver
Investors can get up to $2,500 in free silver delivered to their property on qualifying purchases.
Buyback Program
American Hartford Gold buys back your precious metals hassle-free, without additional fees.
Excellent Reputation
Numerous American Hartford Gold reviews highlight their expertise, reliability, and exceptional customer service.
Cons
No Pricing is listed on the Website
You will need to call to inquire what their product pricing is.
No International Shipping
American Hartford Gold only offers domestic shipping.
Minimum Investment Requirement
You will be required to invest a minimum of $10,000 if you want to roll your IRA into a Gold IRA.
How to Open an American Hartford Gold IRA
To open a Gold IRA account, interested candidates should call 800-462-0071. Then, with the help of an account executive, you can:
Complete the Gold IRA account form
Decide on your opening investment amount
Open and fund your account with American Hartford Gold Group
Starting a Gold IRA with American Hartford Gold is easy and requires only a few steps.
First step
Open a Self-Directed IRA. The company’s website mentions that “all types of retirement accounts are eligible for conversion to American Hartford Gold Group’s Gold IRA. Portions of traditional IRAs, ROTH IRAs, SEPs, SIMPLEs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, 457s, TSPs, and annuities are all eligible to roll over into your Gold IRA.”
Second step
Fund your Gold IRA. If your account is new, simply wire money to American Hartford Gold. If you are transferring over an existing retirement account, there are two ways to do it:
60-Day Rollover: Your current IRA provider mails a check to your home address. You mail that check to American Harford Gold Group. If you send the check to American Harford Gold and the amount is deposited into your account within 60 days, you will not be charged taxes or penalties.
Trustee-to-Trustee Transfer: You can directly transfer your retirement funds from your current IRA provider to American Hartford Gold. This way, American Hartford Gold can access your account quicker. This method is also tax-free and penalty-free.
Third Step
Purchase Precious Metals for your Gold IRA. Once your account is set up, you can purchase precious metals for your Gold IRA from American Hartford Gold Group. Buyers can browse American Harford Gold’s product catalog or call 800-462-00710.
Storage Options for American Hartford Gold
American Hartford Gold stores your precious metals in different authorized and secure depositories, including:
Brink’s Global Services in California and Utah
Delaware Depository Service in Delaware
You can choose one of these or arrange for your own custodian.
American Hartford Gold Buyback Commitment
American Hartford Gold encourages their clients to contact them if they wish to sell their gold or silver. The company cannot guarantee that they will repurchase metals, but they currently do not charge additional fees in their three-step liquidation process. They can help arrange the shipment as well.
American Hartford Gold IRA Customer Support
American Hartford Gold’s customer satisfaction ratings speak for themselves. Additionally, the company’s Product Specialists, Client Service Staff, and Executive Leadership are available to answer any calls and questions an investor may have.
American Hartford Gold Reviews, Ratings, and Complaints
American Hartford Gold is trusted in the precious metals IRA industry, having received multiple “A” ratings and average five-star reviews from sites like TrustLink, TrustPilot, and Facebook. Additionally, they have a 9.6 out of 10 on TrustScore. American Hartford Gold reviews speak for themselves.
Thirteen complaints have been closed through the Better Business Bureau in the last three months and six in the last 12 months. The most common and recent customer complaint type in the Hartford Gold Group reviews was regarding delivery issues or delays. However, many of these complaints can be attributed to disruptions in the market caused by COVID.
FAQ
Do I Own the Precious Physical Metals in an American Hartford Gold IRA?
Yes. When you open an American Hartford Gold IRA, you own physical metals in the form of bullion, coins, or bars. You do not physically possess the precious metals, though. They are stored in a Gold IRA depository.
What Are the Tax Advantages to American Hartford Gold IRA?
A Gold IRA can be invested in using pre-tax or after-tax funds. The tax benefits vary depending on which type of IRA you choose. If you open a traditional Gold IRA, your account grows tax-deferred. However, at the time of withdrawal, you must pay taxes as if it was regular income. A Roth IRA uses post-tax dollars. Account holders of this type do not owe additional taxes upon withdrawal.
Is There a Set Time Frame for Taking Distributions From a Gold IRA?
The IRS sets minimum distribution rules for Gold IRAs. When you turn 59 and a half, you can begin taking distributions from your Gold IRA without paying a penalty. Once you turn 70 and a half, you are required to start taking minimum distributions. The amount of the minimum distribution will depend on how much money is in your Gold IRA.
Is American Hartford Gold Group Legitimate?
Yes. They are a trusted company in the gold and silver sector with many American Hartford Gold Group reviews to back it up.
Where Does American Hartford Gold Store Precious Metals?
A Hartford IRA can store your assets in any depository storage of your choice. They highly recommend Brink’s Global Services or Delaware Depository Service.
Is the American Hartford Gold Group a Scam?
No, they are not a scam. American Hartford Gold Group is a premier gold and silver dealer. Still, it is important that you thoroughly research a company for yourself before investing a large portion of money there.
There is a reason why American Hartford Gold stands out from other precious metals companies. It has various verified client reviews and excellent ratings from all major consumer protection agencies. Moreover, the company offers the best prices on the market, excellent customer service, and free insured shipping.
