On this page14 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Goldco vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- Goldco legitimacy and licensing
- Goldco fees and pricing
- Goldco's buyback guarantee: read the fine print
- Goldco lawsuit and settlement
- Goldco complaints and how to avoid problems
- The rules that protect you
- Who should skip Goldco
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
Goldco Direct LLC has been BBB accredited since 2011 with an A+ rating and 72 complaints in three years, and Trustpilot reviewers rate it 4.4 out of 5. The catch is price transparency. Goldco doesn't post minimums, coin markups or fees, its free-silver offers apply only to its "premium coins" on orders of $50,000 or more, and its fine print says the highest-price buyback applies only after three years with no specific buyback rates guaranteed. In 2026 it settled a text-message class action for $2 million without admitting wrongdoing.
Your options
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Goldco This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. This review Investors with $50,000 or more who want a large, accredited dealer and will compare a written quote against plain bullion prices.
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US Gold Bureau This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. Alternative Buyers who want bullion from an established Texas dealer and like the idea of state-administered storage at the Texas Bullion Depository.
- Company
- Goldco Direct LLC, Calabasas, California; started October 26, 2011; founder and CEO Trevor Gerszt4
- Minimum and fees
- Not published; IRA custodian and storage fees set by the custodian you choose2
- Promotion
- Up to 5% back in free silver on $50,000 to $99,999 of Goldco premium coins, 10% on $100,000 or more, as listed October 20261
- Buyback
- Goldco will buy back metals it sold at any time; the highest-price guarantee applies only after three years, with no specific rates guaranteed3
- Shipping
- Reasonable efforts to ship in 5 to 14 business days after funds clear, but up to 45 business days5
- BBB
- A+, accredited since December 9, 2011; 72 complaints in the last 3 years4
- Legal
- $2 million class settlement over marketing texts (Summerton v. Goldco Direct LLC, W.D. Wis.); no admission of liability7
Pros
- BBB A+ and accredited since 2011
- 4.4 out of 5 on Trustpilot from about 1,800 reviews
- Offers both IRAs and direct purchases
- Buyback program for metals bought from Goldco
- Large, long-running dealer
Cons
- No published minimums, markups or fees
- Free silver only on higher-priced premium coins
- Highest-price buyback starts only after three years
- Shipping can take up to 45 business days
- $2 million TCPA settlement over marketing texts
Best for: Investors with $50,000 or more who want a large, accredited dealer and will compare a written quote against plain bullion prices.
Skip it if: You want posted prices, a low minimum, or the option to sell at a fair price within the first three years.
Goldco vs. competitors
| Company | Minimum purchase | Published IRA fees | Fee or bonus offer | BBB | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldco | Not published | Not published | Up to 10% free silver on premium coins, $50,000+ | A+, accredited, 72 complaints in 3 years | Visit site |
| Augusta Precious Metals | $50,000 | $50 setup, then $235 a year ($125 custodian, $110 storage) | Up to 10 years of custodian and storage fees paid | A+, accredited, 1 complaint in 3 years | Visit site |
| Birch Gold Group | $5,000 | Example: $80 one time, $235 a year | First year of fees paid on $50,000+ | A+, accredited, 9 complaints in 3 years | Read review |
| American Hartford Gold | $10,000 (IRA) | Not published; storage may be free depending on account size | Not published | A+, accredited, 112 complaints in 3 years | Read review |
Gold IRA companies we reviewed
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Goldco This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. This review BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Investors with $50,000 or more who want a large, accredited dealer and will compare a written quote against plain bullion prices. -
US Gold Bureau This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.7 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Buyers who want bullion from an established Texas dealer and like the idea of state-administered storage at the Texas Bullion Depository. -
Augusta Precious Metals This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.3 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Savers with $50,000 or more who have decided they want physical gold or silver in a self-directed IRA and want a dealer to handle the paperwork. -
Preserve Gold BestGuide rating: 4.2 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Buyers who want help setting up a gold or silver IRA and value a zero-fee buyback promise from the dealer. -
Birch Gold Group BestGuide rating: 3.2 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Savers who want a guided gold or silver IRA rollover with one point of contact and are willing to compare written quotes before buying. -
American Hartford Gold BestGuide rating: 3.2 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Buyers who have decided they want physical gold or silver, will ask for bullion only, and will get the spread on each item in writing before paying.
Goldco pricing at a glance
What Goldco publishes about costs, as listed October 20261
| Cost | What Goldco says |
|---|---|
| Minimum purchase | Not published |
| Coin and bar markup | Not published; quoted by a representative |
| IRA setup and annual fees | Not published; charged by the custodian |
| Storage | Not published; charged by the depository through your custodian |
| Free silver | Up to 5% on $50,000 to $99,999 and 10% on $100,000+ of Goldco premium coins |
| Buyback | Highest-price guarantee after 3 years; no specific rates guaranteed |
Free-silver offers apply only to Goldco premium coins, which typically cost more per ounce than common bullion. Ask for the spot price, your price per ounce and the buyback price on the same day, in writing.
Goldco, step by step
Request the free kit or call
A Goldco representative explains gold and silver IRAs and recommends products by phone.
Open a self-directed IRA
You open an account with a custodian that holds precious metals; the custodian charges its own setup and annual fees.
Roll over or transfer funds
Move money from an existing IRA or 401(k). A direct transfer avoids the 60-day rollover deadline and withholding.
Choose metals
Pick IRS-eligible coins or bars. Compare the quoted price per ounce with bullion such as American Eagles before you agree.
Storage and selling
Metals go to an approved depository. To sell, you can use Goldco's buyback, but the highest-price guarantee only starts after three years.
Goldco legitimacy and licensing
Yes. Goldco Direct LLC is a precious metals dealer at 24025 Park Sorrento in Calabasas, California, led by founder and CEO Trevor Gerszt. The BBB has accredited it since December 2011 and rates it A+, with 72 complaints in three years against more than 1,700 reviews. Trustpilot reviewers rate it 4.4 out of 5. We found no state attorney general or federal enforcement action against Goldco on the pages we checked.
Legitimate doesn’t mean low cost. Gold IRA dealers earn most of their money on the markup between what they pay for metal and what they charge you, and Goldco doesn’t publish that markup.
Goldco fees and pricing
Goldco doesn’t list a minimum, coin prices or account fees online; a representative quotes them. IRA setup, annual and storage fees are charged by the Custodian. The IRS-approved firm that administers your IRA, keeps records and reports to the IRS. Compare gold IRA companies and Depository. The secure facility that stores your IRA metals. Compare gold IRA companies you choose, not by Goldco. Goldco’s current offer gives up to 5% back in free silver on $50,000 to $99,999 of its premium coins and 10% on $100,000 or more. Premium coins usually cost more per ounce than standard bullion, so the free silver can be smaller than the extra markup.
Before you buy, ask for the Spot price. The current market price for bulk metal, before dealer premiums. Compare gold IRA companies, your price per ounce for each product, every custodian and storage fee, and today’s buyback price for the same coins.
Goldco's buyback guarantee: read the fine print
Goldco advertises a buyback “guaranteed at the highest price.” Its own footnote says Goldco will buy back metals it sold at any time, but the highest-price guarantee applies only after three years from your first purchase, and no specific buyback rates are guaranteed. Trustpilot complaints describe buyback offers well below purchase prices. If you might need the money within a few years, factor in what you’d get back, not just what you pay.
What customers say about Goldco
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Knowledgeable, patient representatives
- Smooth IRA rollovers
- Clear explanations for first-time buyers
Common complaints
- High markups on premium or exclusive coins
- Buyback prices far below what customers paid
- Three-year wait before the buyback guarantee applies
- Slow callbacks when transferring out or selling
Goldco lawsuit and settlement
In Summerton v. Goldco Direct LLC, filed in federal court in Wisconsin, Goldco agreed to a $2 million class settlement over marketing texts sent to people on the National Do Not Call Registry after they asked to stop. Goldco did not admit liability. The final approval hearing was set for March 26, 2026, and the claim deadline was April 10, 2026. You can stop Goldco texts at any time by replying STOP.
Goldco complaints and how to avoid problems
Most reviews are positive about representatives and the rollover process. The negative ones focus on coin markups, low buyback offers and slow responses when customers try to sell or move their metals. To protect yourself:
- Choose common bullion, such as American Eagles, over proprietary or premium coins unless the price per ounce is close.
- Get every price and fee in writing before you sign the customer agreement.
- Use a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer, not a 60-day rollover.
- Keep your gold position to a small share of your retirement savings.
The rules that protect you
The IRS lets IRAs hold certain gold, silver, platinum and palladium coins and bullion that meet purity rules, held by a trustee or custodian; storing IRA metals at home can be treated as a distribution. The CFTC warns that some gold IRA sellers push high-markup coins, use scare tactics and send consumers to custodians that don’t check prices. Metals in an IRA aren’t covered by FDIC or SIPC insurance.
Who should skip Goldco
Skip Goldco if you want to see prices before you call, have less than $50,000 and want promotions to apply, or may need to sell within three years. If you only want gold price exposure, a gold ETF in your current IRA costs far less to buy, hold and sell.
Alternatives to Goldco
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Gold ETF in your existing IRA
Gold price exposure with no dealer markup, custodian or storage fees, and you can sell any trading day.
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Birch Gold Group
Posts a $5,000 minimum and an example fee schedule, so you can price the account before calling.
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Publishes its yearly IRA fees and has only one BBB complaint in three years, for buyers with $50,000 or more.
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American Hartford Gold
A lower posted IRA minimum of $10,000 for a competing written quote.
Next steps
Goldco reviews
Written by readers, read by our moderators, never edited by the company.
No reader reviews yet. If you have used Goldco, yours will be the first.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Goldco a legitimate company?
Yes. Goldco Direct LLC is a BBB-accredited A+ dealer founded in 2011 in California. That doesn't mean its prices are low, so compare written quotes.
What is Goldco's minimum investment?
Goldco doesn't publish one. Its free-silver promotions start at $50,000 of premium coins.
What are Goldco's fees?
Goldco doesn't post its markup. IRA setup, annual and storage fees are charged by your custodian and depository, so ask for each in writing.
Does Goldco buy back gold?
Yes, Goldco says it will buy back metals it sold at any time. The highest-price guarantee only applies after three years, and no specific rates are guaranteed.
Was Goldco sued?
Yes. Goldco Direct settled Summerton v. Goldco Direct LLC for $2 million over marketing texts sent after people opted out. It did not admit liability.
What is Goldco's BBB rating?
A+, and it has been accredited since December 9, 2011. The BBB lists 72 complaints in the last three years.
How does the Goldco free silver offer work?
You get up to 5% back in silver on $50,000 to $99,999 of Goldco premium coins and 10% on $100,000 or more. It doesn't apply to standard bullion and can't be combined with other offers.
How long does Goldco take to ship?
Goldco's terms say it tries to ship within 5 to 14 business days after funds clear, but orders may take up to 45 business days. IRA metals go to your custodian's depository.
Can I keep Goldco IRA gold at home?
No. IRA metals must be held by a custodian at an approved depository. Home storage can trigger taxes and penalties.
Who owns Goldco?
The BBB lists Trevor Gerszt as founder and CEO and JD Koehler as president of Goldco Direct LLC.
Sources (10)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Goldco: Home page and promotion terms (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Goldco: Gold IRA guide (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Goldco: 5 reasons to buy gold from Goldco (buyback footnote) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Goldco Direct LLC (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Goldco: Terms and conditions (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Goldco reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- ClassAction.org: $2M Goldco Direct settlement, Summerton v. Goldco Direct LLC (accessed October 12, 2026)
- CFTC: Federal and state regulators warn retirees about gold and silver investment scams (March 20, 2024) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- IRS: Investments in collectibles in individually directed qualified plan accounts (accessed October 12, 2026)
- CFPB: Consumer complaint database search (accessed October 12, 2026)
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