Birch Gold Group Review: Price, Fees, Complaints, and IRA Reviews
If you’re searching for an objective Birch Gold Group review, you’re in the right place.
Is Birch Gold Group legit, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of working with them? Read on for a detailed analysis of the precious metal dealer.
Birch Gold Group Background
Birch Gold Group is a precious metal dealer based in Burbank, California. The company was established in 2003 and now serves clients throughout the United States. Birch Gold Group manages Gold IRAs and Precious Metal IRAs of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, or combinations of these metals. Physical coins and bullions are also on sale for personal ownership. For the past 18 years, the company has been helping clients invest in precious metals and educating their customers on the benefits and risks of precious metals investing.
Birch Gold Group reviews are generally positive and it maintains top ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the Business Consumer Alliance, and other customer review websites. The company has a strong reputation for being a trustworthy precious metals dealer in the industry. Birch Gold Group has also appeared on multiple media outlets and has been endorsed by Ben Shapiro.
Birch Gold Group
What’s offered
Physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium for IRA investments or personal ownership.
Traditional IRAs allow investors to hold stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other traditional investments. Conversely, self-directed Precious Metals IRAs allow investors to collect a portfolio of physical gold, silver, platinum, or palladium assets. Birch Gold Group specializes in Precious Metals IRAs. The company has a team of professionals that guide customers in moving retirement accounts into precious metals IRAs in five steps.
Silver, Gold, Palladium, and Platinum Products
Additionally, the company deals with various gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullions and coins from the U.S. and Canada. Some gold and silver products include the American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, Australian Florin, Rose Crown Guinea, and Gyrfalcon coins.
Platinum is available in American Eagle coins, bars, and rounds. Palladium is offered only in Canadian Maple Leafs, bars, and rounds. Birch Gold Group authenticates every facet of its coins, including weight and metal content, through the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation and Professional Coin Grading Service. It provides precious metal products that are approved for IRA investments.
Birch Gold Group Prices and Fees
Birch Gold prices include one-time setup fees and annual fixed maintenance costs for Precious Metals IRAs. One-time setup fees are $80 ($50 for the setup and $30 for the wire transfer). Annual expenses amount to $180 ($100 for storage fees and $80 for maintenance).
Product
One-time Fee
Annual Fee
Precious metal IRA
$80 ($50 setup fee) ($30 wire transfer fee)
$180 ($100 storage fee) ($80 maintenance fee)
If you transfer more than $50,000, the company will pay all first-year fees. Shipping is free for cash purchases of more than $10,000.
Birch Gold Group Pros and Cons
Birch Gold Group reviews demonstrate the company’s positive reputation in the precious metals industry. They offer many advantages to investors, but it is also important to consider the disadvantages that may affect your specific investing goals.
Pros
Large Selection
The company offers a large selection of physical assets.
Educational Materials
Birch Gold Group offers a 20-page "Investment Kit" that explains how to get started in precious metal investing.
Low Minimum
The company requires a one-time setup and wire transfer fee of $80 for IRAs. The annual fee is $180 for storage and maintenance. Compared to other companies, the annual cost is relatively low.
Cons
No International Depository
Unfortunately, the company only serves investors in the U.S. As a result, all depositories are located in the states.
Unclear Prices
Prices are not clearly listed on the company's website. Investors need to call to speak with a representative who can define these costs.
How to Open An Account
Begin by contacting Birch Gold Group via phone or online. An investing specialist will then be assigned to you to help you through the process of opening and funding your account. Once the adviser helps initiate your rollover, they can assist in picking out precious metals to include in your Precious Metals IRA account. You will likely be able to choose between IRA-approved gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products.
Once the precious metals are chosen, the advisor will review the client’s order and finalize the IRA. At this stage, you will be given storage options. Birch Gold Group works with leading depositories in the United States like Brink’s Global Service and Delaware Depository. You have the option to store your Precious Metals IRA with one of these providers, or you can choose a depository of your choice.
After your account has been set up, you may always call to monitor your account, make changes, or ask questions.
Many Birch Gold Group reviews mention the positive customer experiences with the company’s representatives.
Another customer highlighted the fast and seamless delivery of the products. Some customers have also pointed out how easy the rollover process was. Many clients have changed their minds after listening to the company’s advice and took to the internet to showcase the help they received from the group.
Most of these reviews show that many clients were at first skeptical about the legitimacy of the company. However, almost all customers mention how Birch Gold Group inspired trust and reliability later on.
On the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the company has had only eight complaints in the past three years. Most of these complaints dealt with misrepresentation of IRAs and the inability to purchase what the customer initially wanted.
There have been only two complaints posted on the Business Consumer Alliance (BCA). The company followed up and closed these reviews in the last 12 months. On TrustPilot, the company has only two one-star reviews out of 108, which have been left unanswered.
The company has addressed and solved almost all issues mentioned in the complaints.
Birch Gold Group’s customer service stands out among its competitors. Since the precious metals industry is not common knowledge, the company’s team takes time to educate their potential customers and inform them about all investment options. Potential and current customers can contact Birch Gold via phone, email, or social media pages.
The company seems to take every complaint seriously by following up with unsatisfied customers. Birch Gold Group also assigns a private advisor to every customer with a Precious Metal IRA that is always available for inquiries.
FAQ
Why a Precious Metals IRA?
A diversified portfolio can help reduce the negative impact of stock market volatility. With a Precious Metals IRA, you can protect yourself from unforeseen market crashes and downturns. In addition, since tangible metals are generally stable investments, a combination of these commodities may provide you with even more security.
Are There Penalties for Moving Into a Precious Metals IRA?
There are no penalties associated with a transfer or rollover from an existing IRA or 401(k) plan to a Precious Metal IRA. The only thing to double-check is the eligibility requirement of the retirement plan at Birch Gold Group.
How Do I Roll Over an Existing Retirement Account?
Birch Gold Group’s Precious Metals Specialists help clients fill out all the necessary paperwork and roll over their current account to a self-directed precious metals IRA.
How Long Does the Rollover Process Take?
Usually, it takes about one business day to open a new Precious Metals IRA with your new custodian. However, the transfer of funds can take up to two weeks, sometimes about a month, depending on the custodian.
Does Birch Gold Group Store Precious Metals?
The company does not store the metals in its vaults. Instead, Birch Gold Group works with large and trustworthy depository institutions: Delaware Depository and Brink’s Global Services. The precious metals are stored in the secure vaults of these depositories.
Does Birch Gold Group Guarantee the Precious Metals Values in My IRA?
Governments, stock markets, or financial institutions do not have control over the value of precious metals. As a result, price fluctuations are inevitable, and it’s impossible to grow any investment without the associated risks. However, Birch Gold Group can help construct an IRA that can minimize the effects of price fluctuations in precious metals.
Are Retirement Funds in a Birch Gold Group Gold IRA Tax-Deferred?
Yes. Gold or Precious Metals IRAs are self-directed and follow tax regulations, which generally have no tax implications.
Is Birch Gold Group Legit?
Yes, Birch Gold Group is highly regarded in the industry. They have been in business for over a decade and have built a solid reputation for their reliable and transparent approach to helping clients invest in precious metals. Birch Gold Group is a legitimate business that is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has received numerous positive reviews from satisfied clients. Overall, Birch Gold Group is definitely not a scam.
