Augusta Precious Metals vs APMEX
Augusta Precious Metals vs APMEX Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Augusta Precious Metals offers free 1-on-1 webinars with a Harvard-trained economist, providing top-notch education.
- APMEX provides a wide range of precious metals and a convenient auto-invest feature, making it a versatile choice for investors.
- Both companies have strong reputations, but Augusta boasts a zero complaints record at the Better Business Bureau and Business Consumer Alliance.
- Augusta Precious Metals has been awarded for its transparent pricing and customer service excellence.
- Choosing between Augusta and APMEX depends on your investment goals: Augusta for education and support, APMEX for variety and convenience.
Augusta Precious Metals Overview
Augusta Precious Metals has carved a niche in the precious metals investment industry. This company stands out with its commitment to educating investors. They offer free, personalized webinars led by an on-staff Harvard-trained economist. This is not just a sales pitch; it’s a comprehensive guide to understanding the intricacies of precious metals investing.
Besides education, Augusta’s reputation is bolstered by its accreditations. The company has been recognized as the ‘Best Overall Gold IRA Company’ by Money Magazine for three consecutive years. It also shines in customer service, with a lifetime account support promise, ensuring investors are never left in the dark.
APMEX Overview
APMEX, or the American Precious Metals Exchange, is a giant in the online precious metals trading space. With over 20 years of experience, APMEX offers a vast array of products, including gold, silver, and platinum. Their platform is designed for ease of use, allowing investors to quickly place orders and manage their accounts with minimal hassle.
One of APMEX’s standout features is its auto-invest program. This feature enables investors to automate their precious metals purchases, making it easy to build a diversified portfolio over time. APMEX also provides a convenient app and secure storage options, adding layers of security and convenience to the investment process.
Gold IRA Services
Investing in a Gold IRA can be a smart move for diversifying your retirement portfolio. Both Augusta Precious Metals and APMEX offer Gold IRA services, but they approach it differently.
Augusta’s Gold IRA
Augusta Precious Metals offers a seamless Gold IRA setup process. They partner with reliable custodians to ensure your IRA is managed efficiently. What sets Augusta apart is their emphasis on transparency and compliance. They conduct regular third-party audits to maintain strict compliance standards.
Moreover, Augusta provides a comprehensive buyback program, ensuring you can liquidate your investments without hassle when needed. Their focus on education also extends to Gold IRAs, providing investors with detailed guidance on how to maximize their retirement savings.
APMEX’s Gold IRA
APMEX offers a flexible approach to Gold IRAs. They collaborate with several custodial partners, allowing investors to choose the one that best suits their needs. This flexibility is one of APMEX’s strong points, giving investors the freedom to tailor their IRA experience.
APMEX’s platform is user-friendly, making it easy to select IRA-eligible assets and manage your investments. They also offer a range of educational resources to help investors make informed decisions. However, APMEX’s focus is more on the variety of products rather than personalized education.
Years in Business / Minimum IRA Investment Comparisons
| Started in Business | Minimum IRA Investment Levels | |
| Augusta Precious Metals | 2012 | $50,000 |
| APMEX | 2000 | $2,000 |
Independent Ratings Compared
Ratings at Better Business Bureau (BBB), Business Consumer Alliance (BCA) and Trustlink:
| BBB | BCA | Trustlink | |
| Augusta Precious Metals | A+ | AAA | 5 out of 5 Stars |
| APMEX | A+ | AAA | 5 out of 5 Stars |
Company Credibility & Reputation Compared
When it comes to credibility and reputation, both Augusta and APMEX are strong contenders. Their ratings and reviews consistently reflect high levels of customer satisfaction and trust. However, Augusta’s emphasis on education and zero complaints record at BBB and BCA gives it an edge in this comparison.
APMEX, while equally reputable, focuses more on the breadth of their offerings. Their diverse product range and convenient platform are major selling points. However, they could benefit from enhancing their educational resources to match Augusta’s level of personalized support.
Industry-wide Accreditations
Accreditations are important indicators of a company’s standing in the industry.
Augusta Precious Metals has been voted ‘Best Overall Gold IRA Company’ by Money Magazine for the past 3 years. Additionally, it has consistently been recognized for its transparency and excellence in customer service. Their awards for ‘Most Transparent Pricing’ by Investopedia and ‘Best of’ by Trustlink for multiple years underscore their commitment to fair and open dealings.
APMEX also holds a strong position with industry accreditations, reflecting their reliability and wide-ranging expertise. Their long-standing presence in the market and the trust they have built over two decades are testaments to their credibility.
Complaints Compared
Complaints registered at Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Business Consumer Alliance (BCA):
| BBB | BCA | |
| Augusta Precious Metals | ZERO (All Time) | ZERO (All Time) |
| APMEX | 133 complaints closed in last 3 years
4 complaints closed in last 12 months |
1 in last 3 years |
Gold IRA Fees Compared
| Set up Fees | Admin Fees (annually) | Storage Fees (annually) | |
| Augusta Precious Metals | $50 + $30 wire fee | $80 | $150 for segregated $100 for non-segregated |
| APMEX | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
Client Education and Resources Compared
Education is a cornerstone of Augusta Precious Metals’ service. They go above and beyond with their free 1-on-1 webinars, providing investors with valuable insights and personalized guidance. This commitment to education sets them apart from many competitors.
APMEX offers a range of educational resources, including guides and articles on precious metals investing. While these resources are comprehensive, they lack the personalized touch that Augusta provides through their webinars. For investors seeking in-depth, tailored education, Augusta is the clear choice.
Customer Service and Support Compared
Customer service is a critical factor in choosing a precious metals company. Augusta Precious Metals excels in this area with their lifetime account support. Investors can rely on consistent, ongoing assistance, ensuring they have the help they need at every stage of their investment journey.
APMEX also offers robust customer support, with a dedicated team ready to assist with any queries or issues. However, their support is more transactional, focusing on immediate problem-solving rather than long-term relationship building. For investors who value continuous support, Augusta is the preferred option.
Peace of Mind Guarantees Offered
When it comes to investing in precious metals, peace of mind is paramount. Augusta Precious Metals offers a 7 Day Money Back Guarantee, then after the initial 7 days their 100% Satisfaction Guarantee kicks in. This gives customers who are not completely satisfied with Augusta the option to seamless switch to a different provider.
APMEX do not refer to any guarantees. Instead, they promise the optimal customer service and support.
Buyback Programs Offered
Buyback programs are essential for investors who may need to liquidate their assets. Augusta Precious Metals offers a straightforward buyback program which is backed up with a ‘Highest Buyback Guarantee’.
APMEX also offers a buyback program in which they aim to provide market value for precious metals.
New IRA Customer Incentives
| Incentive #1 | Incentive #2 | Incentive #3 | |
| Augusta Precious Metals | Free Gold – choose from 3 Gold Coins | Up to 10 years of custodian and storage fees covered by Augusta | Free one-on-one educational web conference with Harvard trained economist |
| APMEX | new customers can explore the ‘Deals’ section on their website for discounted items | Automatic enrolment in the Bullion Club which offers benefits like early access to flash sales and exclusive offers. |
My Verdict: Why Augusta Precious Metals Comes Out on Top
In the battle between Augusta Precious Metals and APMEX, both companies have their strengths. APMEX offers a wide range of products and a convenient platform, making it a solid choice for investors looking for variety and flexibility.
However, Augusta Precious Metals stands out for several reasons:
The free 1-on-1 webinars with a Harvard-trained economist provide invaluable insights, empowering investors to make informed decisions.
Augusta’s zero complaints record at the BBB and BCA plus their industry-wide accreditations speak volumes about their credibility and dedication to customer satisfaction.
Furthermore, they conduct regular third-party audits to ensure adherence to strict compliance standards. This focus on regulatory practice is a key reason why they maintain such a strong reputation in the industry.
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CALL AUGUSTA: 855-386-4202
About the Author: Doug YoungDoug is a highly experienced professional and widely trusted authority in financial investing, commodity trading, and precious metals. With over 20 years of expertise, he helps others make informed decisions by sharing a combination of personal experience, extensive knowledge and meticulously researched information on gold IRAs, precious metals investing and retirement planning. He regularly writes news items on these topics. He has considerable experience of evaluating Gold IRA and Precious Metals Companies, gained over a period spanning more than a decade.
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