Instant Snapshot
A Quick Glance: Birch Gold Group Review in 2023
Investors around the country have been scrambling to find ways to hedge against inflation as the threat spreads. Stocks and bonds may make up the bulk of most people's investing accounts, but not even blue chips or government debt are safe bets.
Considering Birch Gold Group's lengthy history and stellar reputation, it's not surprising that the firm provides solid precious metal investment services.
Pros
- Nearly 20 years of experience.
- Solid reputation with Trust Pilot and A+ rating with BBB
- Served over 10,000 investors since 2003
- No fees the 1st year on transfers over $50,000
Cons
- Minimum $10,000 purchase for IRA and physical investments.
- Flat fee structure can be pricey for small investors
- Pricing less transparent
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Birch Gold Ratings
The Main Thing
Birch Gold Group has earned a stellar reputation throughout the years. Members of the executive team even have seats on the Forbes Finance Council.
Birch Gold Group Review for 2023
Read how we evaluate the Gold Companies we discuss on this site. Learn more.
Stocks and bonds are the mainstays of most retirement savings plans. This is a good long-term plan, as the stock market has risen steadily over time.
But the situation has changed dramatically. You should start thinking about diversifying your retirement portfolio in 2023 and beyond.
This article's intended audience is likely considering a precious metals IRA from Birch Gold Group, which is why they're here reading this right now.
In this detailed Birch Gold Group review, you'll learn everything you need to know about this company.
About Birch Gold Group
The Birch Gold Group (BGG) is an industry-leading bullion broker. For the most part, in this Birch Gold Group Review, we discover that they sell precious metals to retirees in the United States, but they also deal with direct sales to regular people all around the country.
We'll take a look at Birch Gold Group's services, reputation online, client feedback, pricing, and more in our in-depth study.
Gold and other precious metals, being scarce physical assets with a proven history of universal value, tend to attract demand during times of fear and uncertainty.
It's safe to say that the conditions for finding gold have never been better. The pandemic, societal instability, and political upheaval are just the tip of the iceberg of problems that have been accumulating.
However, Birch Gold Group's bullion brokerage, retirement planning, and metals storage services appease anxious investors. Importantly, the financial community has faith in Birch Gold, giving it an advantage over rivals that few others can match.
History of Company Name
American-based Birch Gold has been working with clients to make them feel secure about their retirement savings since 2003. They started out as a major precious metals dealer and have since grown to offer precious metals IRAs and related services.
Nearly two decades in the business have given Birch the invaluable assets of a proven track record and the confidence of investors. Although this is true for other markets, the dangers inherent in the gold market make it especially important there.
In this Birch Gold Group Review, their dynamic staff is made up of ex-wealth managers, financial advisors, and commodities brokers who are committed to spreading knowledge about alternative investment vehicles and finding customized solutions for their clients' unique situations.
Current Status
The company is headquartered in Burbank, California, directly across the street from the Warner Brothers Studios, and it serves clients all around the United States by upholding the ideals of knowledge, compassion, integrity, transparency, and productivity. Their primary goal is to improve investor and retiree self-assurance in the face of market volatility.
It's likely that if you're researching where to buy precious metals for your 401(k) or IRA, you've come across Birch Gold or another reputable vendor. When it comes to helping their clients manage and safeguard their wealth, Birch Gold has never let them down.
Our helpful staff is here to answer any questions you may have and help you acquire the precious metals you need.
The Business Consumer Alliance and the Better Business Bureau (detailed rankings shown below) both give the company high marks. Additionally, Birch Gold Group is frequently featured on major news and media publications where they cover a wide range of investment-related issues.
Products & Services
Among the many services they provide, BGG is well known for its gold IRAs and rollover from 401(k)s. You have the option of starting a new retirement account or rolling over your old one.
Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bullion are just some of the precious metals they deal in. Gold and silver are suitable for both personal investment and a precious metals IRA.
Customers have access to a number of safe depositories where you can store your precious metals. Fully insured shipping alternatives are available whether the metals are being held in the IRA or as a personal investment, kept at home. Discreet packaging is provided to protect the contents during transit.
| Birch Gold Group Gold IRA Investments IRS Approved | |
|---|---|
| American Gold Eagle — Bullion | 91% gold available in 1/10, 1/4, 1/2 and 1-ounce coins. |
| American Gold Eagle — Proof | A limited number of the collector’s version of the American Gold Eagle coin are minted each year. |
| American Buffalo | The first pure gold coin in North America, the Gold American Buffalo is a 24-karat bullion coin. |
| Canadian Gold Maple Leaf | One of the purest coins in the world, the 24-karat gold coin is minted with no base metal. |
| Gold Bars and Rounds | Generally valued closer to the melt value of gold than most others on the market. |
| Valcambi CombiBars | Gold bars available in 50 x 1 gram and 20 x 1 gram. |
| Gold Polar Bear and Cub | 99.99% pure gold, CA$10 face value. |
| Gold Gyrfalcon | The Royal Canadian Mint’s 2016 gold coin is 99.99% pure gold and weighs 1/4 ounce. |
| Gold Twin Maples | A 1/4 ounce pure gold coin in CA$10 denomination. |
Customer Service & Support
One of Birch Gold's most appealing selling points is its excellent customer service. Strong customer satisfaction has been noted by several consumer advocacy groups that have reviewed Birch Gold Group.
The company stands out from the competition because of its dedicated customer service staff, who advise prospective investors on the best course of action based on their individual situation and objectives.
The company's stellar reputation extends to its customer service department, which is always ready to help with any inquiries, account reviews, or problems related to investing in precious metals.
Additionally, they take full responsibility for any loss that occurs in transit from one of their vehicles or at a depository facility.
Birch Gold Group's customer service department is a key differentiator because of the expert guidance they provide to potential investors in selecting the most suitable investments for their needs and objectives.
Birch recognizes that many of his prospective clients will have less experience with precious metals than with blue chip stocks and takes the time to explain the differences.
Pricing for BGG
There is a cost associated with having your IRA held with Birch Group, as there would be with any other precious metal investment or custodial service. A $50 account-activation fee is among the one-time charges. A $30 wire transfer fee is also due.
The monthly administration price is $80, while the storage and insurance premium is $100. Birch will also cover the first year's dues for any transactions over $50,000.
The fact that there are no custodian fees with Birch Gold is probably the finest thing about it. That is to say, no matter how much or how little your account grows, the yearly total of $180 will remain the same.
Although some may find Birch Gold's suggested opening retirement account investment of $10,000 to be excessive, the company stands by this figure.
Birch Gold Group Minimum Investments
IRA investments and purchases of real gold, silver, platinum, and palladium from Birch Gold Group require a minimum commitment of $10,000.
This precious metals dealer's minimum investment requirement is low compared to those of many others. Typically, a gold, silver, platinum, or palladium purchase through a precious metals dealer requires a minimum investment of $50,000.
Buy-Back Program
While you hope to avoid selling your gold for as long as possible, you may eventually find yourself in a position where you have to. In the event of an unexpected need,, where you don't have the cash on hand to deal with it, you may need to sell some of your IRA's investments.
One of the best buyback programs is provided by Birch Gold Group. There is no need to worry about finding a buyer for your precious metals because Birch Gold is always willing to buy them from you.
In addition, There are no hidden costs associated with the company's Buy Back program, and it just takes a short while to complete. You may have to wait a little while to collect the money you need, but the buyback should be finalized in a week or so at the most.
When you're ready to sell, Birch Gold will typically pay you the original purchase price for your gold, or the current market price. Whichever works best for you and the business at the time.
Some other businesses impose additional fees on their clients. Check the prices of Birch against those of other dealers. According to our research of Birch Gold Group, they provide one of the best buy-back policies for gold and silver.
Why You Should Choose Birch Gold
When it comes to gold IRAs, it seems like a new dealer opens shop every week. What makes Birch Gold one of your best options, then?
Compared to these other businesses, how does Birch Gold Group perform?
Birch Gold offers a diverse team with backgrounds at places like Citigroup, IBM, and Dun & Bradstreet. This team, known as the "Specialists," works closely with clients to resolve any issues they may have and gain their trust through personalized service and clear, effective communication.
The company has a superb reputation thanks to its work with these prestigious firms. The group works closely with customers to ensure that they have a firm grasp of the investment procedure. Gold and other precious metals like silver and platinum can be added to your portfolio with the help of our creative team members.
Many investors are wary about the future because of the global pandemic that hit in 2020. Even though stocks and bonds account for a large portion of most investors' portfolios, there is no assurance that your money will be safe.
That's why it may be wise to diversify your holdings in precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
Investors' worries will be addressed by Birch Gold Group. This precious metals dealer provides numerous helpful services, such as secure storage, bullion brokerage, and help with retirement planning.
The company's tools and assistance are invaluable if you're thinking about opening a gold IRA. The company's stated goal is to provide investors with the knowledge and tools they need to build portfolios that take advantage of a wide range of potential returns.
Investing in gold is risky business, so it's crucial to engage with a trustworthy dealer like Birch Gold Group that has a track record of providing outstanding service to its clients.
To summarize, the Birch Gold Group started out as a tiny company in 2003, but since then has expanded to become a major player in the U.S. physical precious metals market.
To safeguard their clients' investments, they offer physical gold and other precious metals and use a team of seasoned wealth managers, brokers, and financial consultants.
Why You May Not Choose Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold is a great option, but it has a few drawbacks.
Firstly, if you are unfamiliar with the process of buying and owning gold, the $10,000.00 minimum may seem comparatively modest, but it may be a costly requirement if you are a new investor.
What if you are the type of person who only wishes to invest a few hundred dollars yearly in precious metals? The required minimum investment is too high for you to consider. Because of the high investment minimums, you'd have to go to a different gold seller.
Those looking to purchase gold in smaller quantities are advised to avoid dealing with businesses that require sizable initial investments. That would have a negative impact on their annual budget. For this reason, it may be best to work with a regional or even a smaller gold company.
As for the second issue, the purchasing procedure is still caught in the 1990s. Perhaps Birch Gold has a sleek website and an extensive digital catalog.
However, the website offers little beyond the opportunity to view market updates and product availability. The only way to place an order is to speak to a live agent over the phone. If you and the agent don't share a time zone, this might be a time-consuming and irritating process.
So, if you are not looking to buy in larger quantities, (and prefer to buy online), then BGG is really only best of you’re hoping to quickly set up a Gold IRA.
Birch Gold Group Pros and Cons
Pros
- Deep-rooted history delivers trust.
- Offers all 4 precious metals as physical or IRA purchases.
- Multiple options for account custodian and depository facilities.
- Nearly twenty years of experience.
- Solid reputation with Trust Pilot and A+ rating with BBB.
- Served over 10,000 investors since 2003.
- Investors with large balances benefit from flat-rate fee structure.
- Communication and education are priorities.
- No fees the first year on transfers over $50,000
Cons
- Minimum $10,000 purchase for IRA and physical investments.
- Flat fee structure can be pricey for small investors.
- Pricing less transparent.
Setting Up Your Gold IRA: 4 Simple Steps
Many 401(k), 403(b), 457, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and all traditional IRA and Roth IRA accounts are eligible to roll over to a Gold or Silver IRA.
Here’s the Birch Gold Group process for establishing a Precious Metals IRA:
Step 1. Create the Account and Add Funds
Gold IRA Custodian: Setting up your gold IRA custodian account is the first step in opening a self-directed IRA and investing in gold and other precious metals. You must hire a professional custodian for this. A representative from Birch will assist you in completing the necessary account opening documentation. When that is done, your custodian will walk you through the steps of funding.
The method used by Birch Gold Group makes the entire investment procedure quick and simple. They will provide you with a list of necessary steps to do and documents to sign.
Birch Gold Group acts as a broker to assist you in establishing a custodian if your present custodian is not qualified to handle a Precious Metals IRA. Equity Trust Company is the primary custodian for Birch Gold Group. Birch is flexible and can work with the customer's preferred custodian.
It's possible that you have more than one retirement account and/or stock portfolio. In order to help you decide how to finance your new IRA, your representative can review your current financial records.
Step 2. Select Your Metals
Source and Buy Precious Metals: You can get precious metals for your IRA from Birch Gold Group. Once the money is deposited, you may begin making your metals investment decisions. It's important to know which precious metals are IRS-approved for your IRA, and Birch Gold can help you achieve that.
The variety and grade of metals available to you are limited by the IRS's stringent regulations. Product and quality requirements established by the Internal Revenue Service must be followed. Buying precious metals has never been easier than with Birch Gold Group.
Consult with a Birch expert about your choices. Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium are your options; each has its own advantages and disadvantages and varying development potential. It's up to you to decide what to buy and how much to spend.
You and the expert should complete the deal once you've settled on a purchase.
Step 3. Shipping and Storage
Shipping of the precious metals: As soon as you make a purchase, the precious metals are sent to a reputable storage facility, such as Delaware Depository or Brink's Global Service.
This is a passive process because it requires no effort on your part. This process will be managed by Birch and your custodian. Your precious metals will be shipped to the depository of your choice in a package that is fully insured. The custodian will accept delivery and store the precious metals in your safe deposit box.
Birch collaborates with multiple North American depositories. The most well-known choices are Brinks Global Services and Delaware Depository.
With either of these plans, you can insure your investments for up to a billion dollars. The shipment confirmation and tracking number will be emailed to you when your order ships.
Step 4. Monitor Investment Performance
Ongoing Communication: If you have any questions or would like an update on the market, feel free to contact your dedicated Birch Gold Group expert at any time. This is a top concern and official policy of the firm.
It is corporate policy and a top priority at Birch Gold Group to ensure that a consultant is always ready to answer your questions and provide you with market updates whenever you need them.
Once you've purchased your precious metals from Birch, you can call the specialist whenever you wish to get an update on your holdings, since the company aims to foster enduring relationships with its clients. Over the phone, you can get answers to queries and make adjustments to your account as needed.
Birch Gold Group Fees to Consider
There are significant tax benefits to using an IRA to make a 401(k) rollover and to purchase precious metals. However, there are costs associated with setting up and maintaining a Gold Individual Retirement Account.
Both initial and ongoing expenditures to keep a self-directed IRA account open are deducted from your savings. What to anticipate from an investment with Birch Gold Group.
- Account Setup Fee: $50 (one-time fee)
- Annual Fees: $200 ($100 for Storage/Insurance and $100 for Management Fees)
- Wire transfer fee: $30
- Minimum Investment: $10,000
- Minimum purchase: $10,000
When compared to similar businesses, Birch Gold Group's entry barrier is rather low. Furthermore, their fees are on the lower end of the range when compared to other gold IRA providers.
If you open a new IRA with Birch Gold Group and deposit more than $50,000, they will cover the cost of the account's initial setup, wire, and ongoing maintenance. Payments made to a repository for the purpose of storing items are included. Get in touch with a Birch Gold specialist to learn more about this offer.
Fees Paid Directly to the Custodian: Keep in mind that there may be other fees owed to the Custodian. Equity Trust is the go-to company for many clients. The firm has served as a reliable SDRIA custodian for over 45 years, and their prices are among the lowest in the industry. If you choose to use Equity Trust as your Custodian, here are some of the costs you can expect to incur.
Ratings, Complaints & Disputes
The Better Business Bureau
4.69/5 (65 reviews)
Over 65 customers have rated the business at the BBB, giving them an average of 4.69 out of 5 stars. The BBB now recognizes the company with the highest possible grade of A+.
Considering the nature of the business, the number of complaints received by the company during the past three years (eleven) is relatively low. Simply put, this means that the issues were either not serious enough to warrant a response from the company, or that the company was quick enough to respond to the complaints that it received.
Despite generally positive ratings, some customers have taken to the site to express dissatisfaction with aspects of the service, including the commission structure (which one anonymous reviewer called "deceptive"), inconsistencies in communication (which were attributed to COVID-19), and excessive contact that verged on scamming.
No negative customer review was left unanswered or unresolved on the internet since Birch Gold Group answered all of them and tried to work things out with the unhappy consumers.
Business Consumer Alliance
Birch Gold currently has a AAA rating from the Business Consumer Alliance. Currently, the company has seven 5-star reviews on the site and only two complaints lodged in the last two years. And as for the complaints, it is noted that they have been addressed and dealt with within a few weeks after being raised.
Consumer Affairs
4.8/5 (114 reviews)
Out of 114 evaluations on the Consumer Affairs website, the vast majority were positive and gave Birch Gold Group five stars. The vast majority of the evaluations praised the company's dedication to its customers, praising the company's constancy in addressing questions, availability of help, and openness about pricing.
Customers who indicated they would definitely or would probably refer Birch Gold Group to friends did so in a large majority.
A few users complained about the website's high prices in comparison to competitors and the company's apparent eagerness to sell clients things regardless of their actual needs.
In another attempt to clear the air, Birch Gold Group proactively reached out to both positive and negative reviewers on the Consumer Affairs website. Some unanswered and unresolved unfavorable evaluations were present on the site at the time of publication, which can be annoying for consumers and lend credence to their complaints about the quality of the company's communication.
Trust Pilot
4.9/5 (124 reviews)
Birch Gold Group was rated 95% excellent, 3% great, and 2% awful on the review website Trust Pilot.
Customers who have reviewed this firm favorably have often remarked on the convenience, security, and care they received when buying precious metals from them. Numerous glowing testimonials also singled out individual staff members for their contributions to the success of the business.
Birch Gold Group's dedication to its customers over many years was a major selling point. After a year, a client who was working with Birch said he needed to make some changes to his individual retirement account (IRA), and he received the same kind of individualized service that had initially attracted him to the company.
Unhappy consumers who gave "poor" reviews complained that the pricing was a rip-off because they had to spend more money than they had planned in order for Birch Gold Group to profit. On Trust Pilot, unlike most other review sites, there is no indication that the corporation has made any effort to contact unhappy customers.
TrustLink
4.9/5 (129 Reviews)
For TrustLink, Birch Gold has received 129 reviews from its clients. Most of the reviews are favorable to the company, which led to a 4.9-star rating average on the site.
Real Customer Reviews
"This was my first time purchasing precious metal products. I did my due diligence and educated myself on how precious metals are priced and sold, I chose Birch because of very high marks on their business practices.
It was the right choice for me to go with Birch. The whole transaction was smooth with no high pressure sales approach. Great staff and easy to work with. They have my future business."
- Les B. on BBB
"The Birch Representative was very helpful with explaining the difference between the metals and the different forms the metals come in. He walked me through the process of transferring my traditional IRA into a precious metals IRA from start to finish.
The whole transaction was very smooth and painless."
- Andrew of Garfield, NJ on Consumer Affairs
"Ben Shapiro has been talking about these guys for as long as I can remember. With everything that has been happening in the world over the past couple of months, I decided that I needed to take some action.
Thankfully, they lived up to the expectations that Shapiro had set. They were efficient and exceedingly helpful. Thank you."
- Bob F. on Trustpilot
"Our experience with Birch Gold Group has gone very very well. The good people at Birch have helped us set up a new self directed IRA, assisted with funds transfer and walked us through several choices in precious metals.
They listened carefully to understand our diversification goals and fully explained all the details. If you're on the fence about any part of the Gold IRA process (Like I was) do yourself the favor and make the phone call, you will be well pleased."
- Scott M. on Google
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes. When opening an Individual Retirement Account with Birch Gold Group review to invest in precious metals, the bare minimum to get started is $10,000.
Accounts in which the account holder plays an active role in making investment decisions might delay taxes. If you open an Individual Retirement Account with Birch Gold, you will be able to do this.
The market is susceptible to numerous outside forces. Because of this, the future worth of precious metals cannot be guaranteed. Investments with potential for growth will see fluctuations in value. Long-term investors do well to put their money into precious metals.
Precious metals held in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) must be stored safely with a financial institution or a trustee certified by the Internal Revenue Service. If you don't buy precious metals within an IRA, you're free to keep them anywhere you please. However, due to security concerns, you shouldn't keep valuables like that in your own house.
The company does not store precious metals physically. Delaware Depository is the largest precious metals depository in the United States outside of New York City, and Birch Gold Group works with them frequently. Your gold or other precious metals will be stored safely at Delaware Depository, apart from other clients' holdings. Lloyd's of London provides up to $1 billion in insurance for your account at Delaware Depository.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Precious metals are a safe investment compared to other options when you factor in the volatility of the stock market, the printing of new money, and the unemployment rate.
It can be difficult to know what to do with your 401(k) and other retirement funds. Thankfully, you now know that gold and other precious metals are viable investment options. Having the right custodian and dealer on your side can make the process much easier.
If you're looking for a reliable gold IRA company, go no further than Birch Gold Group. Since 2003, they've consistently provided excellent service. Their IRA services and cash sales have earned them a stellar reputation.
Birch Gold is the place to go for professional advice on investing in gold and other precious metals. This dependable firm offers the service and support you require, whether you're looking for help with retirement planning, purchasing bullion, or anything else related to the investment world.
Ben Shapiro, a prominent endorser for the brand, claims to only purchase gold from Birch. Many visitors to Birch's website can trace their arrival there to a suggestion from Ben Shapiro.
Investors and coin collectors looking for a reliable organization might consider this one.
For starters, it's well rated, and various Birch Gold reviews from customers suggest that the organization is a reliable source for its offerings. These evaluations are helpful since they originate from reputable organizations and individuals, such as industry watchdogs, consumer rights advocates, and customers who have dealt with the company firsthand.
Therefore, if real individuals tell you they had a positive experience with a business, you may expect to have a positive experience as well.
The second is that their minimum investment is now one of the lowest in the business. Although $10,000.00 is certainly not a little sum of money, it is significantly lower than the minimums being demanded by some of the industry's most prestigious firms ($25,000.00 - $50,000.00).
The quality of their customer service is the final convincing argument. Everything needs to be streamlined, but that won't be enough. To further ensure customer satisfaction, a business must instruct its employees to pay close attention to details and guide customers through every phase of their transactions. Thankfully, that's what Birch Gold can accomplish.
When you work with an account professional at Birch Gold Group, they'll show genuine concern for you and your future. Experts at Birch Gold will do their utmost to answer any questions you may have and provide you with all the data you need to make the most informed selections possible.
Whether you're a first-time investor with a lot to learn about setting up a Precious Metals IRA or a seasoned pro with a lot to share, Birch Gold Group can help you every step of the way.