Money Metals Exchange Review: Fees, Costs, and Complaints
This Money Metals review covers their investment options in precious metal coins and IRAs, and provides information about the reputation and range of investment products offered by this precious metals company.
Money Metals Exchange Background
Stefan Gleason, President of Money Metals Exchange, founded the company in 2010. Previously, Gleason was the President of a national publishing company focusing on asset and privacy advice. He later launched Money Metals Exchange as a precious metals dealer and news service.
Money Metals Exchange offers consumers assistance in rolling over their traditional IRAs into a Precious Metals IRA. Additionally, the company helps consumers invest in precious physical metals. Investors can choose from a wide range of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium, and copper coins, bars, and rounds. The metals can be shipped directly to you or a depository of your choice. Money Metals Exchange also offers on-site depository services. If you choose to sell your precious metals, Money Metals Exchange offers a buyback option.
Money Metals Exchange reviews are mostly positive, including an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, the company does also have several negative reviews on Trustpilot.
Money Metals Exchange
What’s offered
Self-directed precious metals IRA; silver and gold bullion, coin, and bars
Annual fees
Depends on holding value; ranges between $96 and 0.39%
Money Metals Exchange sells all the standard options for investing in gold. The company offers the following products and services:
Precious metal IRA
Silver, gold, palladium, and platinum coins and bars
Precious Metals IRA
Money Metals Exchange offers investors the option to roll over their traditional IRAs into Precious Metals IRAs.
Traditional IRA accounts include cash, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Conversely, Precious Metals IRAs are composed of IRA-approved gold, silver, and other precious metal assets. Money Metals Exchange provides a list of reputable custodians, depositories, and IRA-approved metals for your Precious Metals IRA.
Investors looking into rolling over their IRA can contact a representative who can walk them through the process.
Silver, Gold, Palladium, and Platinum Products
Money Metals Exchange has a sizable list of precious metals from U.S., Canadian, Australian, and European mints. Customers have the option to buy any of the following:
Gold: American Eagles, Canadian Maples, European Gold Bullion, rounds, fractionals, coins, and bars in various weights.
Silver: Coins, rounds, fractionals, bullets, and bars in various weights.
Platinum: American, Canadian, and Australian coins and bars in different weights.
Copper: Morgan Heads, Peace Rounds, Buffalo Rounds, and more with one-ounce copper bars.
Palladium: Palladium Eagles and Maples are available in many weights.
Rhodium: Both one- and five-ounce bars.
Money Metals Exchange Costs and Fees
Money Metals Exchange also offers a monthly plan for investing in physical gold and silver. These options vary in terms of the metal and the amount you are willing to invest. You can sign up for the program here.
Aside from monthly fees, the company also charges annual storage fees for their on-site depositories. These fees vary depending on the value that is being stored.
Holding Value
Annual Fee
Up to $15,999
$96
$16,000 to $99,000
0.59%
$100,000 to $999,999
0.49%
$1 million to $2.9 million
0.39%
Money Metals Exchange prices are slightly higher than other dealers; however, their buyback prices are also higher than their competitors.
Money Metals Exchange Pros and Cons
Investing in physical assets can provide more security compared to the volatile stock market. Additionally, gold is inversely correlated with other assets, meaning gold prices may increase when the cost of other assets decreases. For example, between 2001 and 2007, the price of gold was in the green. Moreover, from 2016 to 2019, the price of gold increased by 44%. However, despite gold’s stability, the additional fees associated with precious metal investing may not suit everyone.
Pros
Real-time Prices
Money Metals Exchange Prices are updated in real-time
Storehouse Choices
Investors can have their metals shipped to their home, a depository of their choice, or to the company's on-site depository
Price Alerts
Customers have access to live and historical precious metal prices and can also set customized alerts from the website
Cons
Transaction Fees
Much like any other online investment opportunity, paying with your credit card, debit card, or PayPal account will warrant a 4% fee
Payment Restrictions
The company accepts many payment options but sets minimum and maximum amounts for each payment type
Additional Fees
The company charges annual and monthly fees. They also have added charges for their depository and storage services
How to Open an Account
Product categories are organized in tabs at the top of the homepage. From there, you can easily click on the product that you want, enter the quantity that you desire, and get real-time prices. Additionally, the website offers live pricing at the top right corner after picking a product.
After choosing a product and amount, you can either go straight to checkout or continue browsing on their website. If you start the checkout process, the website secures the price for 10 minutes. This is important for products whose prices fluctuate. To complete the process, you will be asked to provide shipping and payment information.
How Does Selling to Money Metals Exchange Work?
If you choose to sell your precious metals, Money Metals Exchange makes it simple to partake in their buyback program.
Call them at 800-800-1865 during business hours for a repurchase price.
If you like the quotation, complete your purchase to lock in the pricing.
Check your email for your purchase order and shipping instructions.
Transfer your order over to Money Metals Exchange.
Money Metals Exchange will reimburse you after a thorough check.
Before contacting Money Metals Exchange, make sure the metals meet the repurchase guidelines:
Rounds and bars should be labeled for weight and purity.
The bars should have the manufacturer’s name.
The precious metals should be saleable, consistent, and clean.
Quarters and pre-1965 dimes should be minted.
Money Metals Exchange Reviews, Ratings, and Complaints
Money Metals Exchange reviews do not provide a clear consensus. Many positive reviews praise the company for its customer service and quick shipping. However, the company also has several negative reviews and complaints filed through the Better Business Bureau. A large portion of Money Metals Exchange complaints noted high storage fees and lengthy transaction periods for large-sum purchases.
FAQ
Does Money Metals Exchange Have a Starter Kit?
Yes, they offer the $118.22 Silver Only Starter Portfolio.
This beginning set contains four-ounce pure silver.
One American Silver Eagle on-ounce coin
One Canadian Silver Maple Leaf one-ounce coin
One Walking Liberty 1one-ounce round
One Walking Liberty one-half-ounce round
Five Walking Liberty one-tenth-ounce rounds
Is it Better to Buy Gold Bars or Gold Coins?
Ultimately, your decision to buy gold depends on your personal preferences. However, some investors choose gold coins because of their popularity, design, and unique history. Others choose gold bars because they may get more value for their money. Typically, gold coins have higher premiums than gold bars because of the extra minting costs.
Do Gold Bars Lose Value?
As with any investment, the spot price of gold will fluctuate. However, compared to other investment options, the price of gold remains relatively stable.
Does Money Metals Exchange Disclose Customer Information to the Government?
No. According to the company’s Non-Disclosure Agreement, they do not disclose any customer purchases to the government or third parties.
Occasionally, such reports are required, although this occurs roughly once per ten thousand transactions, and customers are notified in advance.
Is Money Metals Exchange Legit?
Money Metals Exchange is a reputable company. They are accredited by the Better Business Bureau and have several positive consumer reviews.
Is Money Metals Exchange Safe?
Yes. Money Metals Exchange is a real company based in Eagle, Idaho.
It is a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited organization with an A+ rating.
Is Money Metals Exchange a Scam?
No. The company has several accreditations from reputable agencies.
How Can I Store My Physical Gold and Silver?
Money Metals Exchange offers several storage options. Investors can store their physical metals at home in a safe. They may also transfer their assets to a depository of their choice. Lastly, they may store their metals with the company’s on-site depository.
What is the Minimum Amount of Gold You Can Buy?
The smallest gold bars (.032 troy ounce) are usually one-gram gold bars.
Minimum gold purchases vary per exchange.
Most trustworthy exchangers have minimum order amounts of 10 to 20 ounces.
