Is Birch Gold Group a Scam? Are They Reliable? (2023 Review)

Hello! Welcome to this article where we will answer the questions "Is Birch Gold Group a Scam?"

Precious metals have been a valuable investment for centuries. Gold has been used as currency and as a way to store wealth. It also serves as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainties.

The industry of precious metals investing has grown rapidly. Many companies offer precious metal services, such as buying, selling, and storing precious metals. Some of them may even have innovations to attract more customers.

If you are a precious metals investor, you may have heard of Birch Gold Group. They market their innovative and forward-thinking approach to making gold investments more convenient and affordable. However, is Birch Gold Group a scam?

Chances are, you wanted to work with this company but are still having second thoughts whether you can trust them or not. Well, I am here to tell you all about Birch Gold Group and hopefully answer all of the questions you have in mind. So, let's get right into it!

Birch Gold Group Review Quick Summary

What is Birch Gold Group?

Birch Gold Group is a precious metals company that was founded in 2003 by Laith Alsarraf. They are headquartered in Burbank, California. The company offers a variety of precious metals products, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. 

Furthermore, they offer Gold and Silver IRAs if you are looking to save for retirement in precious metals. In fact, the company claims to specialize in precious metals IRA services, having a team of experts that 

Birch Gold Group is a reputable company with a good track record. They have also been featured by many multi-media outlets. For example, they have been featured in the program "The Ben Shapiro Show".

Birch Gold Group is composed of professionals and they take pride in that fact. So, you can expect that the people who will deal with you are experienced in that field. They also banner their three core values which are knowledge, trust, and dedication to 1-on-1 care.

Birch Gold Group Products

Birch Gold Group doesn't exactly have one of the largest and widest precious metal catalog compared to its major competitors, but for a starter, the company has everything you need to have.

They still have an ample amount of precious metal products, but they mostly specialize in IRAs. Their catalog includes gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, all available in coins, bullions, and bars.

• Gold Products: American Eagle Coins, American Eagle Proofs, American Buffalo, Canadian Maple Leaf, Gold Twin Maples, South African Gold Krugerrand, Australian Gold Florin, and Gold bars and rounds of different weights
• Silver Products: American Silver Eagle Coins, American Silver Eagle Proofs, Silver Twin Maples, Silver Australian Florin, Canadian Silver Maple Leaf, Morgan Silver Dollar, Silver Napoleon Bee Coin, Silver Polar Bear and Cub, and Silver bars and rounds of different weights
• Platinum and Palladium: American Eagle Platinum, Canadian Palladium Maple Leaf, Platinum bars and rounds, Palladium bars and rounds

These are the products that are available in their website at this time of writing. As you can see, it is really not as broad as other companies like Goldco. But, one of the reasons to this is because they specialize in precious metal IRAs than physical gold.

Birch Gold Group Gold and Silver IRA

The company specializes in Gold and Silver IRAs. These IRAs allow investors to save for retirement in precious metals, such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.

To open a Gold or Silver IRA with Birch Gold Group, you will need to have a minimum investment of $10,000. You can then choose to invest in physical precious metals, which will be stored in a secure vault, or in paper gold or silver certificates, which are backed by physical precious metals.

Additionally, Birch Gold Group is not an IRA custodian, but they work with reputable companies such as Equity Trust Company and STRATA Trust Company. The following are the IRA-eligible precious metals that they offer:

Gold: American Eagle Coins (Bullion & Proof), American Buffalo, Canadian Maple Leaf and Twin Maple Leaf (1/4 oz), Australian Florin, Austrian Philharmonic, Gold bars and rounds from approved mints & refiners.

Silver: American Eagle (Bullion and Proof), Canadian Maple Leaf and Twin Maple Leaf (2 oz), Australian Florin, St. Helena Standing Lion Guinea, Austrian Philharmonic, Silver bars and rounds from approved mints & refiners.

Platinum and Palladium: American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, Australian Florin, Austrian Philharmonic, Platinum bars and rounds from approved mints & refiners, Canadian Maple Leaf, Palladium bars and rounds from approved mints & refiners.

How To Get Started With Birch Gold Group?

If you just want to purchase precious metals from them all you have to do is contact them and talk with their representative. Their experienced staff will assist you in accomplishing your needs or questions.

However, if you want to avail of their IRA-services, they will assign you a precious metals specialist to assist you in setting up your IRA, as promised in their core values of dedication to 1-on-1 customer care. For a much clearer step-by-step process, you can read the following below:

1. Contact Birch Gold Group. You can contact them by phone, email, or live chat.
2. Provide your information. When you contact Birch Gold Group, they will ask you for some information, such as your name, address, and phone number. They will also ask you about your investment goals and objectives.
3. Choose the type of account you want. Birch Gold Group offers two types of IRAs: Gold IRAs and Silver IRAs. You can choose the type of account that best suits your needs.
4. Make a minimum deposit. The minimum deposit to open a Gold or Silver IRA with Birch Gold Group is $10,000.
5. Choose the precious metals you want to purchase. Birch Gold Group offers a variety of precious metals, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. You can choose the precious metals that you want to invest in.
6. Complete the paperwork. Birch Gold Group will send you some paperwork to complete. This paperwork includes the account opening application and the investment agreement.
7. Fund your account. You can fund your Gold or Silver IRA by transferring funds from an existing IRA or by making a new contribution.

Birch Gold Group Prices and Fees

Birch Gold Group charges a one-time account setup fee of $50 and an annual fee of $100 for storage and insurance. They also charge a fee for each transaction, which is typically 1% of the amount of the transaction.

In addition, these fees include a $1 billion insurance policy and they also have a promotion of you having a chance of receiving up to $10,000 free precious metals depending on your transaction amount.

Accepted Payment Methods

Birch Gold Group accepts the following payment methods for purchases of physical precious metals:

• Wire transfer: This is the fastest way to make a payment. It typically takes 1-2 business days to process. Take note that there is a $25 wire transfer fee.
• Personal check: This is a slower way to make a payment. It can take up to 7 business days to process. The good thing is, there is no fee for personal checks.
• Credit card: This is the most convenient way to make a payment. It is processed immediately, but there is a 3% cash advance fee. The minimum purchase requirement for credit card payments is $25,000.

To make a payment, you will need to contact a Birch Gold Group representative to provide your payment information. Once your payment is received, Birch Gold Group will ship your precious metals to you.

Where is Birch Gold Group Located?

The main office of Birch Gold Group is located at 2708 Foothill Blvd #321, La Crescenta, CA 91214. You can go to this office and ask for help on opening accounts, or submit your supporting documents to get started.

They also have a physical location at 100 S. Main St., Des Moines, IA 50309. You can drop personal check payments at PO Box 743054, Los Angeles, CA 90074-3054

Storage Facilities and Services

Birch Gold Group doesn't have their own storage facilities, but they partner with the world's best storage providers in the likes of Delaware Depository and Brinks Global Services.

Brinks and Delaware Depository both offer self-directed storage for precious metals and IRAs in allocated and unallocated forms.

Allocated storage means that your precious metals are stored in a specific location and are segregated from the precious metals of other investors. This gives you the peace of mind knowing that your metals are accounted for and cannot be commingled with the metals of others.

Unallocated storage means that your precious metals are pooled together with the metals of other investors. This is a less expensive option than allocated storage, but it also means that you do not have specific ownership of any particular bars or coins.

The storage fees in Brinks and Delaware Depository vary depending on the type of metal, the size of the storage unit, and the length of time you store your metals.

Shipping Fees and Services

Birch Gold Group offers free shipping on all domestic orders over $1,000. For international orders, the minimum purchase amount for free shipping varies depending on the country. However, you can also get free shipping on all orders by becoming a Birch Gold Group member.

If you purchase less than the minimum amount for free shipping, Birch Gold Group will charge you a flat rate shipping fee of $50 for domestic orders and $100 for international orders.

Educational Resources and Services

Birch Gold Group is a precious metals dealer that goes above and beyond to educate their clients about the benefits of investing in gold. They have a comprehensive education section on their website that covers topics such as why precious metals are a good investment, how to purchase gold, and the different types of gold available. They are also active on social media and podcasts, where they discuss the factors that affect the price of gold.

This dedication to education has clearly resonated with their clients, who have given Birch Gold Group many positive reviews.

Here are some specific examples of how Birch Gold Group educates their clients:

• They offer a free 2020 Information Kit that provides information on the basics of investing in gold.
• They have a blog that covers a variety of topics related to gold, such as the latest news and trends, investment strategies, and tips for buying and storing gold.
• They produce educational videos that explain the benefits of investing in gold in a clear and concise way.
• They host webinars and workshops where clients can learn more about gold investing from experts.

By providing comprehensive and accessible education, Birch Gold Group helps their clients make informed decisions about their investments. This is a valuable service that sets them apart from other precious metals dealers.

Birch Gold Group Affiliate Program

Birch Gold Group offers an affiliate program that allows you to earn commissions by promoting their products and services. Affiliate programs are a great way to make money online, and they can be a good fit for people who have a blog, website, or social media following.

Here are some of the benefits of participating in an affiliate program:

• You can earn commissions without having to create or sell your own products or services.
• You can promote products or services that you believe in and that you think your audience will benefit from.
• You can set your own hours and work from anywhere.
• You can earn recurring commissions on sales that you generate.

However, if you do not know what an affiliate program is then feel free to read my article about how I made money at home with affiliate marketing!

Birch Gold Group Customer Support Experience

Birch Gold Group claims to provide superior customer service from the first contact to the final transaction. Their representatives take the time to understand your unique financial situation and goals to develop a personalized plan that meets your needs.

Customers have said that questions are answered thoroughly and promptly, with follow-up to ensure complete satisfaction. Many client testimonials praise the excellent support and high-quality guidance provided by Birch Gold Group's customer service team.

However, online reviews of Birch Gold Group's customer service are mixed. Some customers report excellent support, while others say that their customer service was unhelpful.

If you are considering investing with Birch Gold Group, it is important to be aware of the mixed customer service reviews. You may want to consider a company with a better track record of customer satisfaction, such as Augusta Precious Metals.

Does Birch Gold Group Have Buyback?

Yes, Birch Gold Group has a buyback program. This means that you can sell your gold back to the company at any time for fair market value. The buyback program is available for all gold and silver products that you purchase from Birch Gold Group.

To sell your gold back to Birch Gold Group, you can contact the company and request a buyback quote. The company will then appraise your gold and give you a quote for the current market value. If you agree to the quote, the company will purchase your gold and pay you the quoted amount.

Be sure to ask questions about their quotation, and be aware of the current prices of precious metals, so you will know what value to expect.

Did Ben Shapiro Endorse Birch Gold Group?

Yes, Ben Shapiro has endorsed Birch Gold Group. He has spoken about the benefits of investing in precious metals on his podcast, "The Ben Shapiro Show," and has recommended Birch Gold Group as a reputable company.

In a 2016 episode of his podcast, Shapiro said that he had invested in gold through Birch Gold Group and that he was happy with the company. He said that Birch Gold Group was "easy to work with" and that they had "a great selection of gold products."

Shapiro has also spoken about the importance of investing in precious metals as a hedge against inflation. He has said that gold is a "safe haven asset" that can protect your wealth during times of economic turmoil.

It is important to note that Shapiro is not a financial advisor and his endorsement of Birch Gold Group should not be taken as financial advice. It is always important to do your own research before investing in any asset.

Birch Gold Group Pros and Cons

Birch Gold Group Ratings and Reviews

Reading reviews from reputable sources can help you assess the quality of a company's products and services. This is especially important before making an investment.

Here is a summary of how Birch Gold Group has been rated and reviewed by experts and famous review websites in the industry. The information is current as of September 2023.

Birch Gold Group BBB Rating

For a company that has huge success in the precious metals industry, Birch Gold Group really reflects the quality of their business through their BBB profile, a big green flag.

They have an A+ grading, having a 4.63/5 star rating based on 123 customer reviews. This is already a handful and it really says a lot. Also, they are accredited since 2011.

Birch Gold Group Trustpilot Rating

For their Trustpilot page, Birch Gold Group has just an average grading. Along with this, they only have a 3.7/5 star rating and this is based on 126 reviews. 

To be honest, this is in contrast with how good they are rated above. Moreover, for a company that is renowned and has been in the industry for a long time, this rating can be an outlier, considering that there other ratings are better.

Birch Gold Group Consumer Affairs Rating

Birch Gold Group has an excellent grade on their Consumer Affairs profile. They got a near perfect 4.9/5 star rating out of 125 reviews. To be fair, this rating considering the amount of reviews is substantial. This further proves that the company really values their business with customers.

Birch Gold Group TrustLink Rating

Birch Gold Group has a TrustScore of 4.9 out of 5 stars on TrustLink, based on 134 reviews. This means that the vast majority of customers who have reviewed the company on TrustLink have rated it as "Excellent"

However, it is important to note that no company is perfect. There are always a few negative reviews, even for the best companies. It is important to read all of the reviews, both positive and negative, before making a decision about whether or not to use a company.

Birch Gold Group Customer Complaints

Birch Gold Group does have a number of complaints from customers that can be found in numerous online review websites. Some of the complaints about the company are serious enough to make one question whether it is safe to invest with them. Here are some examples of complaints from customers:

As you can see, I only selected the worst reviews which customers gave 1 star ratings to Birch Gold Group. Customers have reported that the customer service they received from Birch Gold Group was unhelpful. They have reported that the representatives were not knowledgeable about the products or services offered by the company or that they were not able to resolve their problems.

Better Alternatives to Birch Gold Group

Before you invest in precious metals, it is important to do your research and understand the risks involved. There are many reputable precious metals companies, but there are also some scams out there.

It is important to compare different companies before making a decision. Here is a comparison of Birch Gold Group with three of its major competitors Goldco, Augusta Precious Metals, and Money Metals Exchange. 

However, my most recommended precious metals company is Goldco. They have superb ratings and tons of positive reviews. Furthermore, they have excellent customer service. So, check them out!

Final Verdict: Is Birch Gold Group a Scam?

Is Birch Gold Group a scam? In conclusion, they are not a scam. They have been in this industry for a long time and their ratings would suggest that they are a pretty good company. Furthermore, they have been featured by reputable media sites.

The best thing about Birch Gold Group is that they have a low investment minimum of $10,000, which is lower than many other gold IRA companies. This makes it a good option for investors who are just starting out

If you are considering investing in gold, it is important to do your research and compare several companies before making a decision. Birch Gold Group is a good option, but there are other companies that may offer better services and products.

One company that I would recommend is Goldco. Goldco is a well-respected company with a long history of providing excellent customer service. Goldco offers a wide variety of gold and silver products, including IRAs, coins, and bars. The company also has a low-cost storage option for your gold.

Thank you for reading my "Is Birch Gold Group a scam?" article and feel free to leave a comment below sharing your thoughts and opinions!