This page describes what a good process looks like — so you can evaluate any dealer you speak with. These are standards, not accusations. A well-run dealer will meet all of them.
Urgency Pressure
A good dealer gives you time. Your fees are the same whether you decide today or next month. If a conversation feels rushed, pay attention to the specific language being used.
Urgency sounds like:
- “The IRA department is backed up — we should get your application in today.”
- “I can only hold these at this price for 48 hours.”
- “Gold went up $37 since we've been talking.”
- “We can lock you in at these prices.”
- “You couldn't have picked a better time.”
What a good process looks like: You receive your pricing in writing. You review it on your own time. You decide when you're ready. The timeline is yours.
Vague Pricing
A good dealer tells you the specific spread on the specific products they're recommending — not just a floor number or a general range.
Vague pricing sounds like:
- “About 4%.” (This is typically the floor — the lowest spread on the cheapest bar product, not what you'll actually pay.)
- “$275 a year — that's a flat rate fee.” (This covers the custodian, not the dealer's spread.)
- “We buy wholesale and sell retail, just like any other business.” (This describes the model without quantifying it.)
What a good process looks like: You know the exact spread on every product being recommended, plus the custodian and storage fees — all in writing, before any commitment.
No Documentation
Any commitment worth making is worth putting on paper. If you ask for a written fee breakdown and receive marketing materials, a website link, or nothing — that's information.
No documentation sounds like:
- “I can't put anything in writing.”
- You ask for a quote and receive a brochure or a link to a website.
- “We'll go over the exact pricing when we sit down to pick products.” (Meaning: after your money moves.)
What a good process looks like: A written document with your specific fees — yours to keep and review — before any commitment.
Product Steering
Different products carry different spreads. Standard bullion bars have the lowest spreads. Semi-numismatic and “collector” coins carry significantly higher spreads — sometimes 25–35% or more.
A good dealer recommends products based on your goals, not on which products generate the most revenue. If you're being steered toward “rare” or “collector” coins for an IRA account, ask why — and ask what the spread is compared to standard bullion.
What a good process looks like: You see the spread on every product being recommended, side by side, so you can make an informed choice.
The Sequence Problem
Pay attention to when you see your pricing relative to when you're asked to commit. A good process gives you complete pricing information before any commitment step — not after.
A concerning sequence:
- Phone call with general information
- Application or paperwork
- Money moves to the new custodian
- Products selected and priced after funds arrive
A good sequence:
- Conversation about your situation and goals
- Written breakdown of all fees, including specific product spreads
- You review the document on your own time
- You decide whether to proceed
- Only then does money move
The Standard
Any commitment worth making is worth putting on paper. A good dealer will:
- Put your fees in writing before asking for a commitment
- Show you the specific spread on every product they recommend
- Document buyback terms from day one
- Give you time to review without pressure
- Let you share the documentation with your family
Use these standards on every dealer you evaluate — including us.
Ready to see what a written breakdown looks like?
Schedule a consultation.