American Hartford Gold Review: Pros, Cons, & Alternatives

Our Verdict

Considering American Hartford Gold for your gold IRA? Here is an analysis of their services, fees, pros, cons, customer sentiment, and how they compare to competitors.

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American Hartford Gold
Best for: Investors looking for reliable gold IRA services with excellent customer support.
Setup fee for IRA: $50
Minimum for IRA transfers: $10,000
Minimum for cash purchases: $5,000
Pros:
  • A+ BBB rating
  • Price match guarantee
  • Buy back commitment
  • 1,000’s 5-star reviews
Cons:
  • No online purchases
  • Limited to U.S. investors
Promotion: Receive up to $10,000 in free silver (with a qualifying purchase)

American Hartford Gold offers gold and silver IRAs that cater to investors hoping to diversify their portfolios by investing in precious metals.

As a leading gold company specializing in precious metals investment, American Hartford Gold is recognized for its reputation and experience in the industry.

Though they boast high customer satisfaction and a user-friendly experience, there are minimum investment requirements and potential limitations in product variety.

However, American Hartford Gold provides a range of investment options to suit different investor needs.

American Hartford Gold Review: My Verdict

I’ve given them a rating of 9 out of 10.

American Hartford Gold provides a robust suite of services, competitive pricing, and exceptional customer support.

The company’s high ratings across key factors make it a solid choice for investors looking for a reliable company with excellent customer service and a positive customer service experience, as well as comprehensive guarantees, including a strong buyback commitment.

CriteriaRating (out of 10)
Product & Service Offerings9
Fees & Minimums8
Guarantees9
Customer Experience9.5
Storage & Security8
Account Setup & Maintenance9
Reputation & Reviews9
Overall Rating9

In this review of American Hartford Gold, I’ve followed CEP’s detailed criteria for evaluating the precious metals IRA company.

About American Hartford Gold

American Hartford Gold homepage

American Hartford Gold helps people protect and grow their retirement savings by investing in gold and silver.

Since 2015, they’ve helped clients use accounts like 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, and thrift savings plans to buy precious metals.

The company is based in Los Angeles and serves customers all over the U.S. Their team includes experienced financial professionals who understand how gold and silver can help during uncertain times.

They have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and strong reviews on sites like Google and TrustLink.

American Hartford Gold is known for being trustworthy, transparent, and easy to work with.

From the founder

American Hartford Gold is committed to guiding our clients towards economic security with superior market knowledge.

We’re proud to offer safe haven assets that can protect retirement funds in times of economic uncertainty.

Sanford Mann

Sanford Mann

Founder & CEO of American Hartford Gold

Product & Service Offerings

American Hartford Gold makes it easy to invest in precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium as part of your retirement plan.

They offer gold and silver IRAs, along with IRA rollovers and transfers, so you can move money from your current retirement account into a precious metals IRA.

You can choose from a wide selection of high-purity gold and silver coins and bars, all approved for retirement investing. If you’re more interested in silver, they also offer silver IRAs.

Their goal is to help you diversify your savings and protect your retirement with stable, time-tested assets.

Fees & Minimums

American Hartford Gold keeps its pricing simple and transparent. Gold and silver prices are based on current market rates, so you’ll always know where you stand.

Setup fee for IRA$50
Wire transfer fee$30
Custodian administration fee$180 annually
Storage feesVaries by depository ($100 annual average)

Storage fees vary based on where your metals are stored. As a bonus, you may get free storage for up to three years, depending on your account.

Minimum investments are:

  • $5,000 for cash purchases
  • $10,000 for IRA transfers

When it’s time to sell, they offer a buyback program with no hidden fees. Just ask for details to make sure everything is clear before you move forward.

American Hartford Gold

American Hartford Gold is proud to help individuals and families protect their wealth by diversifying with precious metals.

Guarantees

American Hartford Gold prioritizes customer protection through various guarantees. They ensure the authenticity and purity of their metals, backed by certifications and rigorous quality checks.

Though the company has no fixed buy back price guarantee, it’s committed to competitive buyback rates based on current market value.

American Hartford Gold stands behind the quality of its services with a satisfaction guarantee, including return policies and trial periods.

They also ensure timely and secure shipping of purchased metals. Transparency in fees and pricing information is also a prerogative they uphold.

Customer Experience

American Hartford Gold is known for its exceptional customer service. They offer phone, email, and live chat support options, ensuring accessibility for inquiries.

Customer reviews consistently praise the helpfulness and responsiveness of the support team.

The company provides educational resources, including guides and webinars, to empower informed investment decisions.

Their website is user-friendly and offers a dedicated customer portal for account management.

Storage & Security

American Hartford Gold takes your investment security seriously. They work with trusted, third-party storage facilities across the country to keep your precious metals safe.

These are known as segregated depositories, which means your metals are stored separately from others.

IRS rules require that all gold and silver in a precious metals IRA be stored in an approved facility—not at home.

Some top choices include:

  • Brinks Global in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City
  • Delaware Depository in Wilmington, Delaware

These facilities offer high-level security like:

  • 24/7 monitoring
  • Armed guards
  • Insurance from Lloyd’s of London, one of the most respected names in the business

You can feel confident knowing your gold is stored securely and fully protected.

Account Setup & Maintenance

Starting a gold IRA with American Hartford Gold is a simple, step-by-step process.

Their team is there to guide you every step of the way so you can feel confident about your investment decisions.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Request a free Information Guide: You can get a free educational guide with no obligation. It explains how gold IRAs work and what to expect—great for learning before you commit.
  2. Speak with an IRA specialist: A retirement account specialist will reach out to answer your questions. They’ll help you open your account and handle the paperwork, including working with your current IRA custodian if needed.
  3. Fund your self-directed IRA: You can move money from your current retirement account—like a 401(k), 403(b), or traditional IRA—into your new gold IRA. There’s no minimum investment, but larger amounts may require a rollover instead of a contribution.
  4. Buy gold and silver for your IRA: Once your account is funded, you can choose what kind of physical gold or silver to invest in—such as coins or bullion. An expert will help you select IRS-approved metals that fit your goals.

Good financial planning helps protect your savings and ensures your retirement investments support your long-term goals.

With American Hartford Gold, you’re not on your own. Their specialists are there to make the process smooth, secure, and easy to understand.

Reviews & Reputation

American Hartford Gold has garnered respectable scores on several consumer watchdog websites from hundreds of satisfied customers:

  • Birdeye: 4.8/5 (1060 reviews)
  • TrustPilot: 4.9/5 (1213 reviews)
  • ConsumerAffairs: 4.7/5 (829 reviews)
  • BBB: A+ and 4.9/5 (508 reviews)
  • Google My Business: 4.8/5 (866 reviews)

Compared to other gold IRA companies, American Hartford Gold’s reputation for customer satisfaction and transparency stands out, with consistently high ratings and positive feedback.

American Hartford Gold has also been acknowledged on the INC 5000 list for financial services and received several endorsements from prominent figures, most notably, former Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani.

AHG recognizes the importance of social responsibility and views its success as intertwined with the well-being of its surroundings, reflecting American Hartford Gold’s commitment to the community.

The commitment translates into financial and volunteer support for various organizations, including animal shelters like No Kill Los Angeles (NKLA), the Wounded Warrior Project, and The Claire Foundation.

Through these efforts, American Hartford Gold demonstrates a genuine desire to positively impact the communities they serve.

American Hartford Gold Alternatives & Competitors

Besides American Hartford Gold, companies like Goldco, Augusta Precious Metals, and Birch Gold Group offer gold IRA options.

Some companies, including American Hartford Gold, may offer free silver as a promotional incentive for new IRA accounts.

Here’s how their unique selling points and ideal customer base compare to American Hartford Gold’s starting fees.

 
 
 
Our Rating:
4.7
Our Rating:
4.0
Our Rating:
4.5
Minimum for IRA transfers:
$0
Minimum for IRA transfers:
$50,000
Minimum for IRA transfers:
$10,000
Our Rating:
4.7
Minimum for IRA transfers:
$0
Our Rating:
4.0
Minimum for IRA transfers:
$50,000
Our Rating:
4.5
Minimum for IRA transfers:
$10,000

Goldco

Goldco homepage

Goldco’s transparent fee structure suits long-term investors looking for a straightforward pricing system without hidden charges, as it offers a flat-rate model for account maintenance.

The company also provides extensive customer support, which makes it ideal for individuals new to investing in precious metals.

Request Goldco’s free gold & silver kit

Augusta Precious Metals

Augusta Precious Metals homepage

Augusta Precious Metals differentiates itself with its low annual fees and wide-ranging resources that arm investors with extensive knowledge about precious metals.

This company is best for those who value in-depth education and want to make informed investment decisions. Augusta also offers a streamlined account setup process to enhance their customer experience.

Request Augusta’s free gold guide

Birch Gold Group

Birch Gold Group homepage

Birch Gold Group stands out with its competitive initial setup fees and buyback program. It’s most suitable for investors who prioritize liquidity and the ability to convert assets back into cash quickly.

Birch Gold also emphasizes personalized service, which appeals to investors who appreciate tailored investment advice.

Request Birch’s free gold info kit

Is American Hartford Gold a reliable company?

Yes. Based on our evaluation, American Hartford Gold is a reliable company with a solid reputation, competitive fees, and comprehensive services.

Their high customer satisfaction ratings, commitment to asset security, and transparent pricing structure inspire confidence and solidify their position as a credible provider.

Recommendation: If you’re looking for excellent customer support, a user-friendly platform, and a trustworthy company for your gold IRA, AHG is a strong contender.

Request their free investors guide today!

FAQs

Who owns American Hartford Gold?

American Hartford gold group is operated by industry professionals with vast knowledge of precious metals and financial services.

These include company president Max Baecker, Executive Chairman Scott Gerlis, and CEO Sanford Mann.

Does American Hartford Gold have any pending lawsuits or complaints?

A search of online court records revealed no outstanding lawsuits against the company.

The BBB does show a complaint from March 2023 regarding a customer experiencing difficulty reaching support and valuation discrepancies. An AHG’s Director of Compliance responded by clarifying the valuation and enabling their required distribution.

The investor now considers the matter resolved, which goes to show the company’s commitment to ethical business practices.

Where is American Hartford Gold located?

AHG is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Their physical address is 11755 Wilshire Blvd, 11th floor, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States.

American Hartford Gold

American Hartford Gold is proud to help individuals and families protect their wealth by diversifying with precious metals.

American Hartford Gold

American Hartford Gold is America's leading precious metals dealer with an A+ rating from the BBB and thousands of satisfied clients.

Product Brand: American Hartford Gold

Editor's Rating:
4.5

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