John Taylor

Who is Broad Financial? 

A notable investment company in the United States, Broad Financial is known for its wide selection of precious metals, which clients can buy and sell. Although the company is regarded as one of the popular broker of precious metals, they also offer other services.

For instance, clients are given professional assistance when it comes to setting up their gold IRA accounts. The company’s customer service representatives are also responsive and knowledgeable about the investment field, and this helps potential clients who are new to the experience of growing their wealth in this manner.

Broad Financial started in 2004 and it was established in New York. The company initially began as a real estate firm, but has added other products which are geared towards investing.

At present, it offers key services such as Solo 401(k) and self-directed IRA’s. Thus, people who are looking to diversify their investment and prepare for retirement can select from numerous options available to them.

What Does Broad Financial Offer?

Clients can select from a wide range of services available which including the following:

1. Checkbook Control

With this feature, you can be sure that your funds are well-managed and in excellent condition. It gives you the option to simply write a check that allows you to direct your IRA or Solo 401(k) into almost any asset in real time.

2. Real Diversification

A unique service offered by Broad Financial, this allows clients to invest their funds into personal loans, foreclosures, tax liens and real estate. Since there are several choices for fund investment, you are not tied up to just one possibility when it comes to maximizing your wealth.

3. Rollover of Funds

It is easy to rollover or transfer funds from your choice of retirement account or IRA plan whether you go for SEP IRA, 401K, 403b or Roth IRA, among a few others.

Things To Like About Broad Financial

Primarily what you will like about Broad Financial is that there are several products and services available, which gives you greater flexibility. Having numerous options to place your money and time on is crucial since you do not want to tie yourself up to one form of investment, which may or may not give you the returns you were looking for.

Another aspect about this company that draw people towards it is the professionalism and level of customer service provided by the company’s sales representatives. If you have any questions or concerns about the product or service you purchased, you can always contact the staff for support.

This is essential in a reliable investment company since you should be able to have any issues resolved considering the fact that your precious money is on the line.

It is interesting to note that the BBB and BCA have given Broad Financial a good rating, and this should be something to look into when choosing an investment company. However, you also need to do your research aside from checking the company’s ratings to have a more in-depth understanding about it.

Things NOT To Like About Broad Financial

It is not enough that the company gives clients several options when it comes to investing in different asset types. What matters most is the reliability and credibility of the company.

Presently, there are few complaints filed against this company which need to be reviewed. Also there are no existing reviews on TrustLink, which can be rather alarming since it has received a high rating from the BBB and BCA.

It’s absolutely critical to look at reviews by past customers, since it will give you an idea of what type of service you can expect from them. In this case there is a lack of client reviews which causes the decision making process to be a lot more difficult.

Broad Financial – IRA Fees

Rankings, Complaints and Customer Reviews

Learn more about what renowned authorities have to say about Broad Financial by looking at the ratings it has received from the following:

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

The BBB has given Broad Financial an A+ rating. Moreover, the company has been BBB-accredited since October 5, 2011. This is an outstanding rating, which reflects the integrity of the company.

In spite of the notable rating, you should still factor in the issues experienced by clients and assess if these are significant concerns that matter to you (read more).

Business Consumer Alliance (BCA)

AAA

Currently, Broad Financial is rated AAA by the BCA (read more).

TrustLink

There are no details provided by TrustLink with regard to the quality of services and products it offers, based on customers’ feedback.

Ripoff Report

The company has received some complaints from customers, and these were posted on Ripoff Report. While these have been resolved, it is worth taking these problems into consideration before you make a final choice when dealing with an investment company (read more).

Broad Financial Review – Final Thoughts

There are numerous areas about Broad Financial that we like such as their wide range of services and their good rating from authority sources. However, there are also some negative features that need to be addressed before making a final decision.

The main issue is the lack of transparency regarding customer reviews. There is an insufficient amount of information out there that doesn’t make one feel comfortable when investing with this company.

In addition there are numerous complaints posted, which can easily be found online, that describe the type of service you can expect with them.

Who is Monex Precious Metals?

Monex Precious Metals is an investment firm owned by the Carabinis since 1973, which was eventually incorporated 14 years after its inception. At present, it is managed by Louis, Micheal and Christina Carabini. These are three generations of the Carabinis that continue to operate the company and maintain its high level of service ever since it started business.

Although it was in 1973 when the company was first established, the founder, Louis Carabini has been engaged in precious metal investments since 1967. He entered the trading of pre-1933 gold coins and pre-1965 silver coins.

During that time, the company was first called the Pacific Coast Coin Exchange. Now, it is known as Monex, which is considered as the country’s trusted and long-standing gold dealer. It also branched out in handling other firms such as the Monex Credit Company and the Monex Deposit Company.

What Does Monex Offer?

Monex offers DVDs, seminars and other tools relevant to investments in precious metals. They also provide live pricing of products, which guide investors before buying and selling their preferred choice of metals.

However, there is still a need to learn more about precious metals investing to be guided accordingly, instead of just allowing the information provided to impact your decision-making process.

Among the other products offered by Monex to investors include gold and silver IRAs, as well as the purchase of IRS-approved metals that can be added to those accounts.

Things To Like About Monex

The Monex website offers comprehensive information to potential and existing clients regarding precious metals investing. For instance, its website provides details on the benefits of opening an IRA account and how it can preserve your wealth.

Although Monex is not an IRA custodian, the company has partnerships with reputable custodians that it recommends to clients. This way, investors can select the right IRA firm that will support them with their goals and particular needs.

Monex also features a video library that serves as supplementary sources of information to investors. Here, you can find recent interviews and stories from experts in the precious metals market, which can be beneficial to first-timers in this business.

This firm also features the Atlas Account program, which gives members a chance to take advantage of discounted prices.  The program is a unique and powerful way of acquiring precious metals using investment leverage with the added safekeeping security of independent depository storage.

In addition to all this, the company walks every client through the different processes involved in storing, receiving and ordering their precious metals bought from their website.

Things NOT To Like About Monex

Monex is not an IRA custodian and only serves as a marketplace for buying and selling precious metals including gold. While the company may provide IRA investment options to its clients, the names of these third-party custodians are not found on their website.

As a result, you will not be able to compare the features and pricing information with the custodians partnered with them. It is also likely that the custodians affiliated with the company charge scaling annual fees which increases your cost as the value of your account increases.

Furthermore, there have been a significant number of complaints filed against Monex with the Better Business Bureau and Ripoff Report. It seems to be a regular occurrence as they were targeted by federal regulators in 1974 for fraudulently inducing their clients to purchase coins and other commodities on margin.

Rankings, Complaints and Customer Reviews

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

The company has a rating of A+ from the Better Business Bureau. There were 9 complaints filed in the last 3 years, and 4 of these were closed in the last 12 months.

These complaints included advertising and sales issues, delivery problems and billing or collection concerns. Some customers also were dissatisfied with the company’s products and services (read more).

Business Consumer Alliance (BCA)

AAA

Monex has a rating of AAA from the Business Consumer Alliance. However, there were customers who claim to have purchased products from the company due to the advice of its account representatives. Later on, though, they suffered from substantial losses because of misdirection.

Others were not pleased by the staff’s failure to comply with their instructions when it comes to applying certain funds to their investment. There were also some issues with poor communication and lack of information given to clients (read more).

TrustLink

Based on 40 reviews

Based on 40 reviews by customers on TrustLink, Monex was rated with 4 out of 5 stars. Several investors were impressed by the professional service of the company, while others were dissatisfied about the rates of products offered.

Ripoff Report

There were 6 complaints filed against Monex at Ripoff Report, and these were from 2004 to 2014. The complaints were mostly about the customers’ negative experiences with the company’s staff.

Monex Precious Metals Review – Final Thoughts

There were some things that you will appreciate about Monex including the wide selection of products offered, partnerships with notable IRA custodians and its high ratings with authority websites such as the Better Business Bureau.

On the other hand, several concerns about the company are worth looking into such as advertising and sales issues filed by clients, long processing times and service-related problems experienced by investors.

Who is APMEX?

Also known as American Precious Metals Exchange, APMEX Inc. is physically headquartered in Oklahoma. It is a corporation that was established in January 2000.

The company offers potential and existing investors a massive range of precious metals that they can buy at competitive rates. Aside from bullion products, APMEX also provides pre-1933 coins, international currencies and commemoratives.

What Does APMEX Offer?

There are several products that the company sells such as platinum, gold and silver. These are all sold online in their website.

In addition to these products, the company also carries Mint bullion products in the United States including platinum, silver and gold American Eagles, Royal Canadian mint, South Africa’s Krugerrands and Maple Leafs.

Things To Like About APMEX

1. Professional Sales Representatives

The company’s sales team is highly efficient and knowledgeable about the different products and services offered. Those who wish to invest in APMEX can inquire from the staff members and receive valuable pieces of information regarding their special concerns.

2. Excellent Rating

Based on various reputable sources including the BBB, BCA and TrustLink, APMEX has a notable rating. In fact, the company was rated A+ at BBB, AAA at BCA, and 5 stars at TrustLink. However, it is worth noting that there are some complaints from customers aside from positive feedback.

3. Numerous Payment Options

Customers can choose from various payment options offered by APMEX such as bank wires, cashier’s checks, personal checks, money orders, credit cards, and certified checks. However, it is best to pay via bank wire for amount over $2,500.

Keep in mind, though, that in the U.S, there is a minimum order fee of $50 set for each transaction. Orders coming from Canada are at a minimum of $250 while for Europe and Australia, the minimum fee is $1,500.

Things NOT To Like About APMEX

1. Customer Complaints

Although the APMEX reviews have been good from some investors there are several dissatisfied customers who complain about the second-rate coins delivered to them.

They believe that what they received does not offer the best value for their money, which means it helps to investigate further before choosing this company for your investments.

2. Delivery Issues

There are a number of complaints about the company when it comes to failure or defaults on delivery. This is a serious concern since it is only right that you receive the merchandise you have ordered in a timely manner

The fact that some people do not receive such quality of service can be unsettling for those who are current clients or potential investors in the company.

3. Unsatisfactory Customer Service

Shipping is one of the issues linked with APMEX. Thus, those who are not satisfied with the late delivery tend to complain and contact the customer service department for their concerns.

Unfortunately, they were only even more disappointed because of the late response to their problems, which added to their anxieties and stress.

APMEX – IRA Fees

Rankings, Complaints and Customer Reviews

Before you begin investing on a particular company, it will help a great deal to determine its performance and standing on various reputable groups in the industry.

Below, you can find the current rating given by reliable groups after considering customer feedback and complaints filed against APMEX.

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

The company has a BBB rating of A, although there were 39 complaints filed in the last 3 years. Since April 29, 2004, APMEX has been a BBB-accredited business after meeting its accreditation standards (read more).

However, an accreditation does not necessarily mean that the BBB endorses the company. With this in mind, it is still important to check the company’s profile when deciding whether to invest in it or not.

Business Consumer Alliance (BCA)

AAA

APMEX has a BCA rating of AAA. In spite of this notable rating, it is important to note that the lack of sufficient information about the company in terms of customer ratings can be unsettling (read more).

TrustLink

Based on 1 review

An impressive 5 stars was given to APMEX, although this rating was only based on one review, which is not enough information to help potential investors make an informed decision.

The review was good, and it expressed the customer’s positive experience in terms of timely delivery of the product and responsiveness of the staff members.

Ripoff Report

According to Ripoff Report there have been several complaints filed against APMEX.

One of the complaints received is from a client stating his negative experience dealing with the company. The client was not pleased at the unresponsiveness of the staff members, particularly at a crucial moment when he needed their immediate attention.

Customer service was poor, and the client was very much concerned about the supposed “concealing of the truth” that the company did to him. He was looking to cancel an order, yet APMEX staff failed to send a response to his request.

This is a negative situation that no investor should encounter while making any financial transactions with a company, since time and valuable resources are at stake.

APMEX Review – Final Thoughts

While several people liked the company’s products and services including their payment options, high authority ratings and SSL-encryption standard on their website, there are still a number of reasons why it may be better to look further for an investment company.

Some reasons why numerous investors prefer not to choose this company include the following:

1. Delays and defaults in delivery
2. Unsatisfactory quality of products
3. Long waiting period when contacting a customer service representative
4. Several complaints in the BBB

Unfortunately, these are not exactly the strongest points of APMEX. Thus, it may be a more practical option to consider an investment company that has a more solid and dependable reputation from all of its clients.

Its important to understand that your time and money are on the line when you start an investment, so it is only right that you research and fully evaluate a company’s performance and services before you make a final decision.

Who is Kitco?

A Canada-based precious metal investment and exchange service, Kitco provides essential information about current metal quotes, charts, reports and data that will guide any potential investor.

Moreover, they give individuals an opportunity to purchase bullion from a wide array of products offered. Investors can also sell precious metals using their web service at a competitive rate.

This business all started in the latter part of 1970s, when Bart Kitner, who was then a college student, began to trade scrap gold with his loan worth $700.

He gained much success from this endeavor, and that enabled him to explore into our investment opportunities such as various industrial areas in the country.

During the late 1990s, he started getting into buying and selling precious metal products. By 1995, Kitco.com was founded, and this provided market information to investors including news, trends and prices.

At present, the company does not only serve Montreal, but also other cities such as Hong Kong and New York.

What Does Kitco Offer?

Kitco Metals is renowned for its live quotes, up-to-date market information and news as well as online charts that serve as a guide for investors.

They have a vast selection of metal product offerings available including silver, gold, platinum, rhodium and palladium.

Kitco also offers coins, bars and bullions for sale. In fact, the company is popular for its extensive line of high quality gold coins and gold bullion bars. It is also a recognized reseller of GoldMoney.

It is also worth noting that Kitco has its line of Signature Products that are .9999 pure gold and fine silver. These precious metals are among the finest in the industry, and exclusive fabricators create, craft and mint these products.

For those who are planning to invest in this company, Kitco offers the Pool Accounts as one of its investment options. It is a deposit account based on precious metals, and holders can obtain physical bullion through any kind of bar or coin carried by Kitco.

Clients are also given a distinct and unallocated storage format in the company’s pool of precious metals.

Aside from these services, the company provides secured storage, IRA accounts, a buy-back program and gold and silver from its Signature Products.

Things To Like About Kitco

The following are among the key features that most clients appreciate about Kitco:

1. User-Friendly Website

Investors experience an easier time buying products from Kitco because of its website that is easy to navigate. The web page where you can buy products features the recent asking price for bullion.

This helps you make a better decision as you obtain up-to-the-minute rates of the product you are planning to purchase.

There are also helpful categories at the top part of the webpage that guide you when investing including charts, metal quotes and news. You will not find any shortage of information that can help you decide further when buying a type of metal using their web service.

2. Reliable Price List

Another aspect about Kitco that satisfies most individuals is the reliable and accurate list of prices on their site. They appreciate how the rates presented are the actual prices that people need to pay, and this is a major factor since it allows investors to know exactly the amount they are charged upon placing an order.

3. Professional Customer Service

It is important to note that the company provides a professional level of customer service to their clients. Kitco has a phone support service which allows investors to speak with a representative who can help them with any concerns they might have regarding their investments, or simply when they need to present their inquiries before purchasing a product from the company.

Things NOT To Like About Kitco

While Kitco is noted for a number of impressive features, there are certain aspects to think about before making an investment including the following:

1. Unsuitable for Numismatic Collectors

The company may give you a chance to explore and expand on your bullion collection, yet it may not meet the needs of numismatic collectors. Kitco does not offer any coin supplies or rare coins which other companies in the industry provide.

2. Lack of Client Reviews

As you browse online for information about the company’s present clients, there appears to be a lack of information on this aspect. What’s more, there are no Kitco Metals reviews or rankings at Business Consumer Alliance and TrustLink.

This can be rather alarming since if the company has a large base of customers, there should at least be numerous positive reviews about them.

3. Absence of Live Online Support

Although the company has a responsive team of customer service representatives, it would be better if investors can speak with Kitco’s personnel for assistance via real-time online live chat.

This will speed things up when immediate assistance is necessary, but unfortunately, Kitco does not seem to have this type of customer service.

Kitco – IRA Fees

Rankings, Complaints and Customer Reviews

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

NOT ACCREDITED

The company is not BBB-accredited, although the BBB has given the New York office of Kitco an A+ rating. On the other hand, the Montreal office is not listed on the BBB official website in Canada (read more).

Business Consumer Alliance (BCA)

Kitco is not listed with the Business Consumer Alliance.

TrustLink

There are no customer reviews or ratings for Kitco at TrustLink. Considering how the company has been in operation for quite a number of years, it is rather strange that there are no ratings or feedback about it at the TrustLink website.

Ripoff Report

As of now there have not been any complaints logged at Ripoff Report for Kitco.

Kitco Review – Final Thoughts

While the company may be known for a number of outstanding services, certain factors can prevent potential clients from investing at Kitco.

For instance, there are no rare coins available, real-time online chat is not offered, and there is an insufficient amount of details about the company operations.

Furthermore, those who are looking to find out more about other clients’ experience with Kitco are not likely to come across any reviews from authority sources such as TrustLink since the company has no customer ratings at this site.

Overall what matters most when it comes to choosing the best company for your investments is reputation and transparency.

Although there may be numerous products offered, it all boils down in the company’s reliability and consistency in providing the finest service that meets the demands of its existing customers.

So, if a huge percentage of clients are pleased with what the company is offering then you should be able to obtain the same level of confidence and satisfaction as well.

Who is Blanchard & Company?

For more than three decades, Blanchard has been offering quality services and products to investors who are looking to maximize their profits and capitals. In fact, the company is known for its knowledgeable staff members who specialize in precious metal IRA’s.

A New Orleans-based company, Blanchard is one of the leading firms that educate clients in the world of investing. The company makes sure that clients are provided with sufficient amount of information they need since they are dealing with economists, numismatics experts and consultants for rarities and precious metals.

The company has also given the public an opportunity to own gold and precious metals for investment purposes, which help them prepare for their future and retirement. Blanchard has also been given impressive ratings by authority sources including the BBB and BCA, which makes it a notable option for IRA, among a few other investment choices.

What Does Blanchard Offer?

Blanchard features a range of products and services to individuals who wish to invest their money in preparation for their future. For instance, it provides a buy back guarantee, so you can buy gold from them and sell it back at the current market price of the product.

Clients are also given an opportunity to sell gold possessions to Blanchard, and this is something that not all IRA companies offer.

Aside from these services and investment options, there are several products that investors can choose from which are available. These include the purchase of gold and silver coins (IRA eligible and rare), bullion bars and adding precious metals to an IRA.

Before potential investors get started, they can receive sufficient amount of information from the company, as provided by its knowledgeable staff members and economists who are experts in the field of investing.

Things To Like About Blanchard

The most striking fact that people like about Blanchard is the absence of any complaints filed to the BCA during the last three years. This is a major factor that people take into account before they choose an IRA company since it helps to know they are working with a reputable firm with a specialization in their investment option.

Moreover, the extensive selection of products and services offered by Blanchard adds to the satisfaction of its clients. These products include gold and silver coins, which are both rare and IRA-eligible, as well as gold and silver bars.

The buy-back guarantee is another remarkable feature that investors appreciate about Blanchard. This way, you can resell products you have purchased from the company at a price that is currently stated in the market.

Things NOT To Like About Blanchard

In spite of the fact that Blanchard has a clean record and outstanding rating with the Business Consumers Alliance (in the last three years, at least), there were a few complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau.

These customers who filed complaints were dissatisfied with certain aspects about the company that did not meet their standards including delivery and billing concerns. Nevertheless, all of these issues were resolved through the BBB’s help and mediation.

In addition to the BBB, one client who has worked with Blanchard posted reviews on Ripoff Report. The investor expressed dissatisfaction with the long waiting period involved in the delivery of metals purchased from the company.

In fact, this client had to wait for as long as 10 weeks before the precious metals bought were shipped to the delivery address indicated upon purchase. This was indeed a serious issue that is worth looking into before one decides to choose an investment company.

Blanchard – IRA Fees

Rankings, Complaints and Customer Reviews

The company has received notable ratings and reviews from several trustworthy online sources that including the following:

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Blanchard was given a rating of A+ by the BBB (read more), and this is quite a high rank for an investment company. However, it is important to note that even if the rating received by this company was considerably high, there were 4 customer complaints filed against it. These were filed during the last three years, yet all of these were closed and resolved.

Business Consumer Alliance (BCA)

BBB

A trusted source of information about businesses, the BCA is dedicated to providing consumers with a reliable guide and advice before choosing a precious metals dealer to work with.

It is quite intriguing, though, that Blanchard was rated BBB by the Business Consumer Alliance in spite of having no complaints for three years.

Furthermore, the absence of any complaints from clients is not a guarantee that the company is completely faultless, considering how the case is not the same with the Better Business Bureau, in which 4 issues were brought up.

TrustLink

Based on 1 review

At present, Blanchard has received 1 star from one client who reviewed the company. This is an alarming rating since 1 star does not offer a positive image on the company in question. For one client who rated the company rather poorly, this can be an unsettling situation for individuals who are looking to invest their money.

Ripoff Report

In three years, there were two complaints against Blanchard that clients have filed, so far. This may not be too much of a negative thing for potential investors since all of the complaints have been resolved accordingly. The complaints revolved around the dissatisfaction of clients with the products and services provided to them.

Blanchard and Company Review – Final Thoughts

There are several positive aspects that you will appreciate about Blanchard including the resolved complaints filed by clients against the company, the high and average rating given by renowned authority sources, and relatively prompt processing times.

However, there is more to consider in an investment firm other than its rating. The fact that there were unsatisfactory billing concerns and delivery issues reported, it can raise some red flags to take into account. These are just some of the problems linked with Blanchard.