On this page12 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Thor Metals Group vs. competitors
- Step by step
- Thor Metals Group legitimacy and licensing
- Thor Metals Group fees and pricing
- How a Thor Metals gold IRA works
- Thor Metals Group complaints
- Cancellation and the 7-day refund
- Rules that protect you when buying gold for an IRA
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
Thor Metals Group is a precious metals dealer and gold IRA sales firm in El Segundo, California, registered with the BBB as Thor Metals Group LLC since July 2023. In October 2026 its BBB profile shows an F rating and no accreditation, and its Trustpilot page (listed as TMG Investments Group) scores 2.3 out of 5, with a string of September and October 2026 one-star reviews describing funds held in escrow and metals not delivered or confirmed. We found no regulator action against the company, and it publishes no fees or prices online. Until those complaints are resolved, choose a long-established dealer, and if you already have an order with Thor, get written confirmation from your IRA custodian and depository that your metals are in your account.
- Company
- Thor Metals Group LLC, 400 Continental Blvd, Suite 140, El Segundo, CA 90245; BBB lists the business start date as July 13, 20232
- Leadership
- CEO Brandon Thor, who says he previously worked at American Hartford Gold and Advantage Gold; BBB also lists Mitch Salchow as president3
- BBB
- F rating, not accredited, 5 complaints in the last 3 years (October 2026); the company's homepage still says it has an A rating2
- Fees and prices
- Not published online. The homepage advertises free gold IRA setup and a low-price guarantee; storage and custodian fees are charged by third parties1
- Delivery
- Within 28 days after cash funds clear (bank checks can take up to 12 business days to verify) or after the IRA custodian sends the money; shipping and insurance free4
- Refunds
- 7-day grace period for a full refund after purchase; wired funds sit in escrow until you approve the order on a recorded line4
- Disputes
- Terms of Service require binding arbitration through the American Arbitration Association and waive a jury trial5
Pros
- 7-day full refund grace period described in its FAQ
- Free shipping and full insurance until delivery
- Wired funds held in escrow until you approve the order on a recorded line
Cons
- BBB rating of F and not accredited, while its website still claims an A
- Recent one-star reviews describing undelivered metals and missing depository proof
- No prices, markups or fees published online
- In business only since 2023
- Mandatory arbitration and jury trial waiver
Best for: Not recommended right now; existing customers should confirm their holdings with their custodian and depository.
Skip it if: You want a dealer with published pricing, a clean complaint record and a long history, or you were contacted by a cold call or ad.
Thor Metals Group vs. competitors
| Company | BBB rating | BBB accredited | BBB complaints, last 3 years | BBB customer reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thor Metals Group | F | No | 5 | 2 |
| Augusta Precious Metals | A+ | Yes, since February 17, 2015 | 1 | 136 |
| Goldco | A+ | Yes, since December 9, 2011 | 72 | 1,719 |
Thor Metals Group, step by step
Consultation
A sales representative discusses your goals and the metals to buy; prices and fees are given by phone, not online.
Open a self-directed IRA
For an IRA, you open an account with a third-party custodian and roll over or transfer money from an existing retirement account.
Fund and confirm the order
Money goes to escrow (cash) or comes from your custodian (IRA); the order is read back to you on a recorded line and confirmed by email.
Delivery or storage
Thor says it ships within 28 days of cleared funds, either to your door for cash buys or to an approved depository for IRA metals.
7-day change of mind
Thor says you can cancel for a full refund within 7 days of purchase.
Thor Metals Group legitimacy and licensing
Thor Metals Group is a real, registered business: Thor Metals Group LLC in El Segundo, California, with a BBB file that starts July 13, 2023 and CEO Brandon Thor, who says he previously worked at American Hartford Gold and Advantage Gold. We found no action against the company by the CFTC, the SEC or a state regulator.
But its record has turned negative. In October 2026 the BBB rates it F and lists it as not accredited, with 5 complaints in three years. Its homepage still says “We have an ‘A rating’ with the BBB,” which is no longer true. On Trustpilot, where the profile now reads TMG Investments Group, the score is 2.3 out of 5 and the five most recent reviews, from September 9 to October 3, 2026, are all one star, several describing retirement money moved to escrow with no metals delivered or confirmed. The company has not replied to negative reviews there.
Thor Metals Group fees and pricing
Thor doesn’t publish prices, markups, minimums or fees on its website. It advertises free gold IRA setup and a low-price guarantee, and says shipping and insurance are free. In a gold IRA you also pay the custodian and the depository, which set their own yearly fees.
The biggest cost in most precious metals purchases is the dealer’s markup over the metal’s spot price. Before you buy, ask in writing for the price per coin or bar, the current spot price, and the price Thor would pay to buy it back the same day. The difference is what you lose if you need to sell.
How a Thor Metals gold IRA works
For an IRA, you open a self-directed account with a third-party custodian, move money from an existing retirement plan, and Thor sells you IRS-approved coins or bars that are shipped to a depository. For cash purchases, you wire money to an escrow account and Thor ships the metals to your home. Thor’s FAQ says delivery is arranged within 28 days after cash funds clear (up to 12 business days for bank checks) or after the custodian releases IRA funds, and that your order is read back on a recorded line before it’s final.
Thor also offers a free portfolio review and exchanges of metals bought elsewhere, including proprietary coins it calls “trouble assets.”
What customers say about Thor Metals Group
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Patient, educational sales staff who don't push
- Clear explanations during the first consultation
- Specific representatives named for good service
Common complaints
- Funds moved to escrow with no metals delivered or purchase confirmed
- Multi-month delays despite the promised 28-day delivery
- No proof that IRA metals reached the depository
- Unreturned calls and slow help when customers tried to sell
- Fees higher than promised
Thor Metals Group complaints
Recent complaints share a pattern: customers say their funds went to escrow or to a custodian, but metals weren’t delivered, or the depository had no record of them, months after the 28-day window. Others say Thor didn’t return calls when they wanted to sell, including one long-time customer who reported trouble selling platinum from January 2026. Earlier reviews praise patient, educational staff.
If you have an open order, ask your custodian for a statement showing the metals and the depository for a holdings report in your name. If funds or metals are missing, file complaints with the BBB, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, the CFTC at cftc.gov/complaint and the FBI at ic3.gov, and talk to a lawyer about the arbitration clause in Thor’s terms.
Cancellation and the 7-day refund
Thor’s FAQ promises a full refund for any reason within 7 days of purchase, and says wired funds stay in escrow and can be returned free of charge until you approve an order on a recorded line. It also says it may refuse future business to customers it thinks use the grace period to avoid a loss. Get any cancellation in writing by email, keep the recorded-line confirmation number, and note the date of your purchase.
Rules that protect you when buying gold for an IRA
- The CFTC warns that precious metals fraud targets retirees through cold calls, ads and fear about the economy, and that some dealers sell at heavy markups while posing as IRA experts.
- The CFTC also advises checking the credentials and disciplinary history of anyone who calls themselves a financial advisor or IRA expert, and talking to a tax professional before moving retirement money.
- Physical metals held through a dealer aren’t bank deposits, so FDIC insurance doesn’t apply.
- Use the CFTC’s “10 things to ask” checklist, compare buy and sell prices from two or three dealers, and don’t let anyone rush you.
Alternatives to Thor Metals Group
- Augusta Precious Metals A+ BBB rating and accreditation since 2015 with very few complaints, a better fit if you want a dealer with a long record. Read review
- Goldco Accredited with an A+ since 2011 and more than 1,700 BBB reviews, so there is a deep track record to check. Read review
- Gold ETF in your existing IRA If you want gold exposure without dealer markups, storage or custodian fees, a gold ETF bought in a regular IRA costs far less and sells instantly.
Thor Metals Group reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is Thor Metals Group legitimate?
It's a registered California company (Thor Metals Group LLC) operating since 2023, and we found no regulator action. But its BBB rating is now F, it is not accredited, and recent Trustpilot reviews describe metals not delivered, so treat it with caution.
What is Thor Metals Group's BBB rating?
F, and it is not BBB accredited, as of October 2026, with 5 complaints in the last three years. The company's website still claims an A rating.
Who owns Thor Metals Group?
Brandon Thor is CEO. His company bio says he was a senior director at American Hartford Gold and senior vice president at Advantage Gold before starting Thor Metals Group.
Where is Thor Metals Group located?
400 Continental Blvd, Suite 140, El Segundo, CA 90245. Its contact page lists +1 (866) 801-8467 and [email protected], with phone hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
What fees does Thor Metals Group charge?
It doesn't publish fees or prices online. It advertises free IRA setup, while custodians and depositories charge their own yearly fees; ask for the markup and same-day buyback price in writing.
Does Thor Metals Group offer refunds?
Its FAQ describes a 7-day grace period with a full refund for any reason, and a free return of wired funds that are still in escrow before you approve an order.
How long does Thor Metals take to deliver?
Thor says it arranges delivery within 28 days after your funds clear or your IRA custodian releases them. Several 2026 reviews report waits of many months.
What should I do if my Thor Metals order never arrived?
Get account and holdings statements from your custodian and depository, send Thor a written demand, and file complaints with the BBB, California's DFPI, the CFTC and the FBI's IC3. A lawyer can advise on the arbitration clause.
What are safer alternatives to Thor Metals Group?
Long-established dealers with A+ BBB ratings, such as Augusta Precious Metals and Goldco, or a low-cost gold ETF inside your existing IRA if you only want gold price exposure.
Sources (11)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Thor Metals Group: Home page (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Thor Metals Group LLC business profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Thor Metals Group: About (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Thor Metals Group: FAQ (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Thor Metals Group: Terms of Service (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: TMG Investments Group (thormetalsgroup.com) reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Thor Metals Group: Contact us (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Augusta Precious Metals business profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Goldco business profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- CFTC: Precious metal frauds (accessed October 12, 2026)
- CFTC: 10 things to ask before buying physical gold, silver, or other metals (accessed October 12, 2026)
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