American Alternative Assets is a popular precious metals dealer that offers bullion and coins to be purchased directly or incorporated into retirement accounts such as traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs.
The company primarily focuses on helping customers transfer funds from their existing retirement plans to precious metals IRAs. However, those interested in purchasing directly can also find some notable perks, including a free home safe on qualifying orders.
Below, we discuss American Alternative Assets’ products, fees, customer experience, and how the company compares to other precious metals dealers.
Overview of American Alternative Assets
American Alternative Assets is a precious metals dealer that helps investors diversify their portfolios with physical gold and silver. The company supports both direct purchases of precious metals and self-directed precious metals IRAs through partnerships with third-party custodians and IRS-approved custodians. For IRA investors, the company helps invest in gold and silver, as well as platinum and palladium, which are subject to the IRS.
We selected American Alternative Assets as the best gold IRA company for alternative investments because the company emphasizes personalized guidance for investors looking to add physical precious metals to a broader investment strategy. It is especially attractive to first-time precious metals investors because its specialists provide one-on-one support throughout the rollover process.
Unlike many of its competitors, American Alternative Assets does not require a minimum investment amount, making its services accessible to a wide range of investors. The company also maintains an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and a 4.5-star Trustpilot rating, reflecting its customer-focused and education-driven approach. However, the company is newer than many established precious metals dealers, so investors who prioritize a long operating history may prefer a more established provider.
Snapshot of American alternative assets
American Alternative Assets Products and Services
American Alternative Assets offers both direct precious metal purchases and self-directed precious metals IRA services.
The company helps retirement investors roll over funds from qualified retirement accounts, including 401(k)s and traditional IRAs, into self-directed precious metals IRAs. American Alternative Assets is not an IRA custodian, but works with multiple third-party custodians and IRS-approved depositories to help clients establish and manage their accounts.
Corporate experts can also help investors select eligible precious metals that comply with IRS requirements.
- Gold: purity 99.5% or more
- Silver: 99.9% purity or higher
Investors who don’t want to open a retirement account can also buy physical gold or silver directly. The company says precious metals purchased via direct delivery are fully insured during transit to the customer’s home.
In addition to investment services, American Alternative Assets offers educational resources through its online learning center and digital tools, including gold and silver investment calculators and hedge protection calculators, to help investors evaluate various investment scenarios.
How the American Alternative Assets process works
A typical American Alternative Assets customer experience includes:
- Complete your consultation and account setup. An American Alternative Assets specialist will assist you in completing your application/customer agreement.
- Fund your account. Transfer funds from your existing retirement account, such as an IRA or 401(k), to your new Precious Metals IRA.
- Select metal. Work with experts to build a gold and silver portfolio tailored to your goals and risk tolerance.
- Organize your storage. Our experts can help you choose an IRS-approved storage location to safely store your metals.
American Alternative Assets Fees and Pricing Considerations
American Alternative Assets does not publish a comprehensive fee schedule because many of the costs associated with precious metals IRAs are charged by third-party custodians and custodians rather than the company itself.
When you open a gold or silver IRA, you can typically expect the following payments:
- One-time account setup fee
- Annual account management fee
- Annual storage fee for precious metals
Exact costs will vary depending on the custodian and storage provider you choose. American Alternative Assets works with multiple custodians, including Equity Trust, STRATA Trust, Kingdom Trust, GoldStar Trust, and Madison Trust, each with their own fee schedules. During the account setup process, a company representative will help you compare these options and estimate your total costs.
For investors purchasing directly without opening an IRA, the price is based on the current spot price of gold or silver plus a dealer premium. The spot price reflects the current market value of the metal, and the premium covers costs such as manufacturing, distribution, and dealer markups.
American Alternative Assets does not publish premiums online. Instead, prospective customers should request a quote or speak with an expert to find out current prices.
American Alternative Assets Reputation and Customer Experience
American Alternative Assets has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Reviews on BBB’s website are mostly positive, with customers praising the company’s knowledgeable staff and excellent customer service.
On Trustpilot, American Alternative Assets has an “Excellent” rating of 4.5, with many customers saying the company is easy to work with and collaborative.
Advantages and disadvantages of American Alternative Assets
Consider the following trade-offs before committing to American Alternative Assets.
Strong Points
- Specific guidance on precious metals IRA rollovers
- No minimum investment requirements
- Works with multiple IRA custodians and IRS-approved custodians
- Offers direct purchasing of physical precious metals alongside IRA services
Cons
- Spot prices and dealer premiums are not published online
- Product catalog containing available coins and bars is not available online
- Our business history is short compared to many long-established precious metals dealers.
American Alternative Assets and competitors
Most precious metals buyers offer similar services. What usually makes one stand out over the other is its fees, level of customer service, and ease of trading. Here’s how American Alternative Assets compares to other major gold and silver dealers.
conclusion
American Alternative Assets is a solid choice for investors looking to diversify with physical precious metals, especially those who value personalized guidance and don’t want to meet minimum investment requirements. The company’s support throughout the IRA rollover process and partnerships with multiple custodians make it an accessible option for first-time precious metals investors.
As with other Gold IRA providers, it’s important to compare multiple companies before opening an account. Request a complete breakdown of custodial fees, custodian fees, and dealer fees, compare premiums charged for precious metals, and consult a qualified financial advisor to determine whether physical gold or silver is right for your overall investment strategy.
American Alternative Assets Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Alternative Assets legal?
American Alternative Assets is an authorized precious metals dealer that helps customers purchase physical gold and silver and open self-directed precious metals IRAs. Rather than acting as a custodian itself, the company partners with third-party custodians and IRS-approved custodians. We also have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a strong rating from Trustpilot.
Does American Alternative Assets offer Gold IRAs?
American Alternative Assets helps customers open precious metals IRAs on their own by facilitating rollovers from qualified retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and traditional IRAs. The Company works with third-party custodians and IRS-approved storage facilities to establish and maintain these accounts.
Does American Alternative Assets have a minimum investment amount?
American Alternative Assets requires no minimum investment for precious metals products or IRA services, making it more accessible than many competitors that require initial investments ranging from a few thousand dollars to $50,000.
Can I purchase gold and silver directly from American Alternative Assets?
In addition to precious metals IRAs, American Alternative Assets sells physical gold and silver for direct purchase. According to the company, metal shipped directly to customers is fully insured during transit.
Does American Alternative Assets publish its prices online?
American Alternative Assets does not publish dealer premiums or complete commission schedules on its website. IRA costs vary depending on the custodian and custodian chosen, so prospective customers should request a written quote and fee breakdown before opening an account or purchasing precious metals.
