American Hartford Gold Review
Being seen as an authority in the field based on my considerable experience of gold IRAs and gold IRA companies, I feel suitably qualified to share my assessment of American Hartford Gold with you.
My desire is to pass on the benefit of my many years of experience in the industry, coupled with the experience I have gained through evaluating many different gold IRA companies over more than a decade, to help you make informed decisions when choosing a suitable and trustworthy gold IRA company.
Review Summary:
- American Hartford Gold Group is a relative newcomer to the gold IRA scene, having only been in business since 2015.
- They have achieved a lot in a short time and this was recognized by Inc. 5000 who ranked them America’s #1 fastest growing private Gold Company in both 2021 and 2022.
- Also in this relatively short time they have achieved strong ratings on all the main independent review portals, evidencing that they have served many satisfied customers.
| ‘At a Glance’ Analysis |
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|---|---|
| Website | https://www.americanhartfordgold.com |
| Phone No. | 1-866-890-0616 |
| INDEPENDENT RATINGS: | |
| BBB Rating (Scale of A+ to F) | A+ |
| BBB Customer Ratings |  |
| BBB Complaints |
36 complaints closed in last 3 years |
| BCA Rating (Scale of AAA to F) | AAA |
| BCA Complaints (last 3 years) |
2 complaints closed in last 3 years |
| Trustlink Rating | |
| Google My Business |
4.8/5 (841 reviews) |
| Trustpilot |
4.8/5 (1210 reviews) |
| RETIREMENT FUNDS: | |
| Gold IRAs Offered |
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| Silver IRAs Offered |
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| CASH ACCOUNTS |
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| Gold Bullion Offered | |
| Silver Bullion Offered | |
| GENERAL: | |
| Preferred Depository | Equity Trust, Brinks, Delware Depository, IDS |
| Preferred Custodian | Equity Trust Company |
| Minimum IRA Investment | $10,000 |
| Minimum Cash Investment |
$5,000 |
| Physical IRA Application | |
| Digital IRA Application | |
| FEES: | |
| Set Up | $50Â |
| Admin (annually) | $100 |
| Storage (annually) | Segregated: $150 Non Segregated: $100 |
| Management |
None |
| TIMESCALES: | |
| IRA Transfer Process | as fast as 3 days |
| 401k Rollover Process | 7 to 14 days |
| Delivery of Metals | 7 to 10 days |
| PEACE OF MIND: | |
| US Mint Listed Dealer |  |
| ICTA Member | |
| TRUST Pilot | |
| ethics.net | |
| SPECIAL OFFERS: |
|
| Main Promotion |
Free Silver – Receive up to $10,000 in FREE silver delivered to your front door, on qualifying purchases |
| Other Promotion | Up to 3 years with no IRA Fees; No Transfer, Storage or Maintenance Fees |
| Website: |  |
Request Your FREE
American Hartford Gold
Investors Kit
How American Hartford Gold Have Evolved
American Hartford Gold, also often referred to as American Hartford Gold Group, is a relative newcomer to the marketplace having been in business only since 2015. That makes them quite young when compared to most of their competitors.
I found it impressive the way that the company has grown very quickly to now sit alongside and compete with some of the well-established and major players in the precious metals industry. That’s no mean feat, as I know from years of involvement and experience in the industry that competition is fierce.
Their core business is in educating and helping private individuals to diversify their investments with safe haven assets. These include physical gold, silver and platinum in the form of coins and bars which they will either deliver to your doorstep, or help you include in a retirement account which is in full compliance with IRS rules and regulations.
The Company Today
- American Hartford Gold in operate from Los Angeles, California. In February 2023 they moved their corporate headquarters to a larger building to enable them to expand their workforce to 200 employees, following a 400% increase in sales.
- They proudly claim that since their incorporation they have helped their customers collectively to invest over $2 billion in gold, silver and platinum.
- It was evident from my research that American Hartford Gold Group put a lot of importance on giving back to the community. I discovered that they support many local and national organizations both financially and through volunteer work.
Mission Statement
When I asked them for a Mission Statement, this is what they provided me with:
“We aim to educate clients about investments in the precious metals industry, and we strive to provide unparalleled customer service built on trust, integrity, and absolute transparency. Our goal is to achieve 100% customer satisfaction“.
Management Structure
American Hartford Gold’s three primary executives are their CEO Sanford Mann, their Executive Chairman Scott Gerlis, and their President Max Baecker.
Sanford Mann: Chief Executive Officer
Sanford Mann
Sanford Mann proudly declares that from an early age he bought into his father’s philosophy that every potential and existing customer of a business deserves limitless education and an honest deal.
He comes from a very close kit family who believe in a sense of community and a strong work ethic. Even today he still resides with that same family in Santa Monica and spends much of his spare time doing voluntary work supporting the local community.
His personal educational journey started at Connecticut State University where he studied economics and before following his entrepreneurial calling he served his apprenticeship in different New York City senior financial management positions.
As CEO Sandford assumes the crucial role of steering the company’s long-term vision within the gold industry. His responsibilities encompass the pursuit of top-tier professionals who embody ethical principles and possess extensive expertise in the field. While doing so he ensures that customer satisfaction remains at the pinnacle of the company’s priorities.
Scott Gerlis: Executive Chairman
Scott Gerlis
Scott Gerlis started American Hartford Gold together with Sanford Mann before they later took in private investors to help facilitate expansion.
Scott firmly believes in the benefits of precious metals for protecting retirement savings and has made it his mission to spread that message.
A proud Los Angeles native, Scott learnt about precious metals from an early age, inspired by his father who was an avid coin collector.
In partnership with Sanford Mann, Scott aligns seamlessly with Mann’s unwavering commitment to exceptional customer service, unwavering ethical principles, and cultivating an exemplary working environment for both employees and clients alike.
Scott can also claim prior experience and success in retail businesses and real estate investment before choosing to specialize in precious metals.
Like CEO Sandford Mann, Scott devotes a lot of his time to community and non profit activities.
Max Baecker: President
Max Baecker
Embodying the core values of American Hartford Gold’s mission to ensure long-term financial security for their clients, Max possesses an immense wealth of knowledge in precious metal markets and products.
Leading from the front, he is the driving force behind American Hartford Gold’s day-to-day operations and administration. By guiding and nurturing their team of account executives, he has played a pivotal role in delivering over $2 billion in precious metals to thousands of satisfied clients.
In a remarkable testament to their success, American Hartford Gold has been recognized three times by Inc. as one of the fastest-growing companies. Max remarked, “Our meteoric growth rate speaks volumes about the trust our clients place in us and the exceptional work our specialists consistently deliver.
Despite our exponential growth and accolades, our fundamental philosophy remains unchanged. We remain committed to empowering our clients with the finest information and dedicated service, knowing that growth will naturally ensue.”
Reputation
American Hartford Gold has achieved impressive growth and high-profile endorsements.
- They were ranked #1 fastest growing private Gold Company in both 2021 and 2022 by the prestigious Inc. 5000
- American Hartford Gold Group is the only precious metals company recommended by the prominent personalities Bill O’Reilly, Lou Dobbs and Rick Harrison.
Having extensively monitored their growth and development I can understand why American Hartford Gold has gained such recognition.
Ratings
I know from experience gained in evaluating many different gold IRA companies over the years that trusted independent consumer review portals are an excellent way of monitoring a company’s performance, both past and present.
When I researched the main ones, I could see straight away that American Hartford Gold Group has impressive ratings.
My findings as of :
BBB – Better Business Bureau
- At the BBB (Better Business Bureau)Â American Hartford Gold is an Accredited Business with the maximum A+ Rating and 4.89 out of 5 Stars based on 504 Customer Reviews
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a renowned non-profit platform with a century-long history of helping people find reputable and trustworthy businesses is. The BBB is a useful tool for customers as it allows them to assess companies based on the interactions of others with them. The BBB encourages an impartial and open forum for all by practicing the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.
BCA – Business Consumer AllianceÂ
- At the BCA (Business Consumer Alliance)Â American Hartford Gold has an AAA Rating
The BCA rating is calculated using a complex formula that takes into account a number of important elements, including the type of business, the length of time it has been in operation, compliance with licensing regulations, complaint history, and general industry expertise. BCA’s algorithm meticulously examines the importance of each element in evaluating the overall dependability of the organization. This technique was developed to help customers make decisions by accurate evaluating a company’s trustworthiness.
Trustlink
- At Trustlink American Hartford Gold has a 5 Star Rating based on 2 Customer Reviews
TrustLink is a popular platform dedicated to fostering trust between businesses and consumers. One of their key attributes is its commitment to ensuring the authentic nature of its reviews. TrustLink ensures that those who provide feedback are verified customers of the company being reviewed. This verification process makes their reviews even more credible and trustworthy, allowing users to make informed decisions based on others’ real-world experiences.
Trustpilot
- At Trustpilot American Hartford Gold has a 4.8 out of 5 Stars Rating based on 1210 Customer Reviews
Trustpilot is a digital platform that connects businesses and consumers. It helps to build trust and it encourages collaberation. It’s free, open to everyone and is based on transparency. Trustpilot organizes reviews to help consumers buy with peace of mind, and it provides rich insights to help businesses improve their offerings.
Consumer Affairs
- At Consumer Affairs American Hartford Gold has a 4.7 out of 5 Stars Rating based on 825 Customer Reviews
Consumer Affairs is a highly reputable independent consumer monitoring website. It provides a platform where individuals can access and evaluate genuine feedback from other customers, and help them make informed choices.
Google My BusinessÂ
- At Google My Business American Hartford Gold has a 4.8 out of 5 Stars Rating based on 841 Customer Reviews
Google has one of the most frequently used review platforms in the world. The Google review system provides a convenient and user-friendly way for individuals to share their experiences and give feedback on a variety of businesses and services. By leveraging the power of this widely recognized platform, users can help create a transparent and trusted information base for others.
Ratings Comparison
In the table below I have compared American Hartford Gold’s ratings at independent review portals with the ratings of other leading Gold IRA Companies I have reviewed
|
Gold IRA Company |
BBB |
BCA |
Trustlink |
Consumer Affairs |
| American Hartford Gold |
A+ | AAA | 5 out of 5 Stars | 4.7 out of 5 Stars |
| Augusta Precious Metals | A+ | AAA | 5 out of 5 Stars | 4.9 out of 5 Stars |
| Advantage Gold | A+ | AAA | 5 out of 5 Stars | 5 out of 5 Stars |
| BGASC | A+ | Not Listed | Not Listed | Not Listed |
| Birch Gold Group | A+ | AAA | 5 out of 5 Stars | 4.9 out of 5 Stars |
| Blanchard & Company | A+ | BBB | 1 out of 5 Stars | Not Listed |
| Goldco | A+ | AAA | 5 out of 5 Stars | 4.9 out of 5 Stars |
| Goldline | A | A | 2.5 out of 5 Stars | Not Listed |
| Rosland Capital | A+ | AAA | 3.5 out of 5 Stars | Not Listed |
Reviews and Complaints
Positive Reviews
The vast majority of the American Hartford Gold Reviews I found are positive. I discovered that customers seem to particularly like:
- The attention and patience that American Hartford Gold’s representatives give to newbie precious metals investors
- The ease of doing business with the Company and in particular their simple rollover process
- The way their representatives are prepared to answer any questions
Complaints
I consider that it’s as meaningful to evaluate how a company deals with complaints as it is to focus on complaints numbers. At the Better Business Bureau I discovered that 22 complaints were made against American Hartford Gold in the last 3 years and they have all been closed. 100% of those were answered by the Company and in nearly all cases they were resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Ratio of Positive To Negative Reviews
Overall I found 91% of the reviews to be positive which is very high percentage.
Example Reviews
Below are examples of American Hartford Gold reviews that I found at well respected independent business review portals:
Range of Services
Gold/Silver IRAs
American Hartford Gold will help you invest in precious metals inside a retirement account. They offer gold, silver and platinum in the form of coins and bars. They will liaise with their preferred Custodian Equity Trust on your behalf, help you select your IRS approved metals in full compliance with IRS regulations and arrange delivery to an approved depository for safe storage.
Cash Sales of Precious Metals
American Hartford Gold Group provide physical delivery to your door of only the highest quality gold and silver coins and bars. They offer competitive pricing and give a guarantee of 100% customer satisfaction.
In addition to their core services referred to above the company will assist you with Gold IRA and Silver IRA rollovers.
What Is a Gold IRA?
- A Gold IRA (which is actually a collective term for a precious metals IRA) is a self directed individual retirement account in which you can include certain types of IRS approved physical precious metals, just as you can include stocks and bonds in a traditional IRA.It is not restricted to precious metals however and if you choose to you can also include other alternative investments such as real estate and traditional investments such as stocks and bonds.
- You can rollover or transfer an existing retirement account into a Gold IRA and continue to make the permitted annual contributions.
Why Invest in a Gold IRA?
- Gold and silver have for generations been used as ‘safe haven’ assets to protect savings and investments against turbulent and uncertain times. Because precious metals have historically always risen in price during market downturns their inclusion in an investment portfolio can protect it by acting as a hedge against inflation and recession.
- By including precious metals in your retirement account you are protecting your hard earned savings against the havoc that inflation, recession, market volatility and market crashes can cause.
The American Hartford Gold Gold IRA
It’s very easy to set up an American Hartford Gold IRA and it gives you the opportunity to invest in gold without the need to dig into your pocket for new funds. That’s because you can transfer or rollover funds from your current 401(k) or IRA completely tax and penalty free into your new Gold IRA.
Simple 3 Step Process To Set Up Your Gold IRA
Step 1
TALK TO THEIR SPECIALISTS
Talk to American Hartford Gold’s specialists at 866-890-0616 and they will assist you with completing the necessary paperwork.
Step 2
FUND YOUR ACCOUNT
Funds can be transferred from your existing IRA to your new Gold IRA in as little as three days, and usually without the need for you to contact your current custodian. Once your new Gold IRA has been funded you can choose, with the guidance of an American Hartford Gold precious metals specialist if you prefer, the mix of metals that best suit your circumstances and criteria.
Step 3
PURCHASE YOUR GOLD/SILVER
Once you’ve made your selection your IRA-eligible precious metals will be sent fully insured to an IRA approved vault for secure storage. American Hartford Gold recommend either DDSC in Delaware or one of the Brinks depositories around the US. The choice is yours.
ELIGIBLE ACCOUNTS:
- Traditional IRA
- Roth IRA
- 401k
- 403b
- 457
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
What Makes American Hartford Gold Group Unique?
Part of my research entailed me looking for areas that set American Hartford Gold apart from their competitors. That included me reaching out to their Customer Services department. The gentleman there whom I spoke with was very helpful. As well as being well versed in the company’s products and services, it was clear to me that he had well above average knowledge of the IRS regulations appertaining to gold IRAs.
He also told me that, in his opinion, these are areas where American Hartford Gold do things better than their competitors:
- Customized Solutions
Every investor has different circumstances and criteria. American Hartford Gold’s Product Specialists will discuss your investment needs and goals with you and make recommendations on a diversification strategy which is personal to you.
- Up To Date Information
American Hartford Gold’s data center keeps all their customers fully up to date with market developments and trends. Their Product Specialists, Customer Support Staff and even Executive Management are always available to answer your calls and questions.
- Transparent Pricing
American Hartford Gold Group boast competitive pricing which is updated regularly to provide the best possible gold and silver deals for investors. They fully disclose all costs or fees involved prior to the sale.
- Special Promotions For New IRA Customers
– They give up to $10,000 in FREE silver delivered to your front door, on qualifying purchases
– They grant up to 3 years with no IRA Fees; No Transfer, Storage or Maintenance Fees
- High Quality Shipping and Handling
Their precious metals are sourced, stored and shipped taking the utmost care to ensure that their value and beauty is protected. They double check all orders, film them and ship them to you with quality guaranteed. Packaging is neutral with no indication of the contents and order details are kept totally within the Company.
- Buyback Commitment
American Hartford Gold encourage all their customers to contact them first if they are considering selling their metals. Legally they are prevented from guaranteeing that they will re-purchase metals, but they have a simple 3-Step process in place to ensure a quick transaction with no additional liquidation fees. They will even assist with shipping.
Fees Compared
Below I have listed for you the amounts and type of American Hartford Gold Group’s fees as compared with those of other prominent Gold IRA Companies
| Gold IRA Company | Set Up Fees |
Admin Fees (annually) |
Storage Fees (annually) |
*Fee Type |
| American Hartford Gold |
$50 | $100 | $150 for segregated $100 for non-segregated |
Flat |
| Augusta Precious Metals | $50 + $30 wire fee | $80 | $150 for segregated $100 for non-segregated |
Flat |
| Advantage Gold | $295 | $175 | $100 | Flat |
| BGASC | Not divulged | Not divulged | Not divulged | Not divulged |
| Birch Gold Group | $90 | Not divulged | $160 | Flat |
| Blanchard & Company | $25 | $60-$250 (scaled) | $100 (scaled) | Scaled |
| Goldco | $50 + $30 wire fee | $80 | $150 for segregated $100 for non-segregated |
Flat |
| Goldline | $125 | $60-$250 (scaled) | $100 (scaled) | Scaled |
| Rosland Capital | $50 | £225 | Not divulged | Flat |
*The Difference Between Flat and Scaled Fees
Flat fees remain constant irrespective of the value of your retirement account. Scaled fees are calculated as a % of your account’s value and therefore increase in line with your account’s growth. Most investors prefer flat fees because they almost always end up being less over time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The following Q & A covers the main questions arising and discussion topics that I came across when doing extensive research into American Hartford Gold Group. Many of the answers were provided to me by the Customer Services representative whom I referred to earlier.
Do American Hartford Gold have minimum investment amounts?
Yes, $10,000 for Gold IRAs and $5,000 for cash deals
What Precious Metals do they offer?
Gold, silver and platinum
How do I move funds from an existing retirement account to a Gold IRA?
There are 2 methods to do this tax and penalty free:
1. 60 Day Rollover
Your current IRA provider will mail a check to you and you will forward that to American Hartford Gold. Provided you do that and it is deposited in your account within 60 days there will be no tax or penalty implications.
2. Trustee To Trustee Process
This is the quickest way possible as your retirement funds will be sent from your current IRA provider directly to American Hartford Gold, who will work with you and for you to make sure the process is seemless.
Do I own the physical metals or just a certificate confirming ownership?
You own the physical metals inside your Gold IRA. They are stored on your behalf at an IRS approved, privately insured depository. From age 59.5 onwards at your choice or when distributions become mandatory you have the option of taking distributions in cash or metals.
Why can’t I hold precious metals in my existing traditional IRA?
As the name implies, a traditional IRA can only be used for the more traditional types of investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds and ETFs. To include physical metals and other alternative assets and still get the same tax deferred benefits you require a Self Directed IRA, which is what a Gold IRA is.
Can I make the same contributions into a Gold IRA that I do with my traditional IRA?
Yes.
What is the procedure for taking distributions from my Gold IRA?
Provided you are age 59.5 or over you simply contact your American Hartford Gold Account Executive and request for either your metals to be shipped to you directly or for the cash equivalent to be sent to you by check or bank transfer.
How can I monitor my Gold IRA’s performance?
You will receive regular statements. Additionally you can contact your Account Executive at any time for an interim update.
What is the procedure and timescale for setting up a Gold IRA?
Your Account Executive will oversee the entire setting up procedure. It normally takes just one business day to open your Gold IRA account and receive your account number. The same Executive will contact your current IRA provider to get the rollover started. Dependant on your current IRA custodian the transfer of all or part of your retirement assets should take no more than 5 working days. Once received you are ready to select your precious metals.
Do I pay for the shipment of my precious metals?
No. They are shipped to the depository by American Hartford Gold Group free of charge, tracked and fully insured. There is no risk to you as you are covered for any unforeseen events.
Can I take home delivery of the precious metals in my Gold IRA and make my own storage arrangements?
No. IRS rules stipulate that they must be stored at an approved depository and insured by them. If you take delivery before age 59.5 there may well be tax implications and penalties.
Pros and Cons
Here I am listing the points about American Hartford Gold that I liked, and then ones that I didn’t like. It’s noteworthy that the former exceed the latter quite considerably.
 |
 |
|---|---|
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Ranked #1 fastest growing private Gold Company by Inc. 5000 in 2021 and 2022 |
You can’t add any precious metals you own already to your new American Hartford Gold IRA |
|
Exclusively recommended by the prominent personalities Bill O’Reilly, Lou Dobbs and Rick Harrison. |
No platinum or palladium listed |
|
Top ratings, hundreds of 5 Star reviews and thousands of satisfied customers |
No prices shown on the online catalogue |
|
Guaranteed low prices |
U.S sales only – no international ones |
|
No buy back fees |
|
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Free, unlimited consultations with precious metals specialists |
|
|
Excellent educational resources |
|
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Up to $10,000 in FREE silver sent to you on qualifying purchases |
Who Are American Hartford Gold Best Suited For?
- Any American wishing to invest in precious metals, either by cash purchase or inside an IRA
- Those who are concerned about the state of the economy, soaring inflation, the gigantic national debt, market volatility and disruptive geo-political events… and wish to protect their wealth and retirement from all or any of these
- Those coming close to retirement age who don’t want to spend the rest of their lives worrying that their funds might run dry
American Hartford Gold vs. Competitors
My 3 Best Gold IRA Companies
| Gold IRA Company | My Rating | Best For | Find Out More | |
| Best Overall | Augusta Precious Metals | |
ZERO BBB and BCA Complaints Ever | Read Review |
| #2 | Goldco |  |
High Percentage of Satisfied Customers | Read Review |
| #3 | American Hartford Gold | |
Best Gold IRA Newcomer | Visit |
Summary and Assessment
- American Hartford Gold Group are a relative newcomer to the Gold IRA scene, and they have come a long way in a short time. So much so that the prestigious Inc. 5000 ranked them America’s #1 fastest growing private Gold Company in both 2021 and 2022.
- They have achieved top rankings at the main consumer review portals where they have hundreds of 5 Star ratings. They now stand shoulder to shoulder alongside many of their competitors who have been in business considerably longer.
Based on over 20 years of experience in the precious metals and gold IRA fields, and with the benefit of having evaluated many different gold IRA companies during that time, my conclusion is that American Hartford Gold are certainly worthy of your consideration for your Gold IRA.
I was sufficiently impressed with American Hartford Gold to have included them in my list of Top Picks of gold IRA companies, even though they didn’t quite make it to my top spot.
I encourage you to visit different gold IRA companies’ websites, to explore their products, and to conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.
My Rating:
Request Your FREE
American Hartford Gold Investors Kit
How To Speak With a Company Representative
- The easiest way to speak with a American Hartford Gold representative is to click on the link above to request their FREE INVESTORS KIT. That will take you to a form where you just enter your name, email and phone number.
- That will prompt one of their Gold IRA specialists to call you in business hours, so make sure you submit the best contact number for you.
- Alternatively you can call them on 1-866-890-0616.
Tip: In my opinion it’s a good idea to compile a list of questions in readiness for their call.
See Also:
Augusta Precious Metals vs American Hartford Gold
Goldco vs American Hartford Gold
About the Author: Doug Young
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