Is APMEX Worth It? In-Depth Review

Looking for solid gold coins or silver bars? APMEX has been a go-to online seller since 2000 with clear prices and real stock.

Compare it to JM Bullion. We cover great service, fast UPS shipping, and higher premiums.

Find out if it fits your investment goals and learning needs.

Key Takeaways:

• APMEX offers transparent pricing and authentic precious metals sourced directly from trusted mints, making it a reliable choice for investors seeking quality and security in their purchases.
• While APMEX's premiums may be higher than some competitors, its strong customer service, fast shipping, and educational resources add significant value for long-term buyers.
• Overall, APMEX is worth it for serious precious metals investors due to its established reputation since 2000, wide product range, and secure storage options.

Pros of Shopping at APMEX

APMEX shines as a top online store for precious metals (valuable items like gold and silver used for investment). It started in 2000 and builds trust with clear prices and real products from mints.

This setup helps everyday investors and big institutions feel secure in their buys.

Transparent Pricing and Value

APMEX shows prices clearly with live spot prices for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Spot price means the current market value, so you avoid hidden fees and decide smartly.

It buys straight from mints. This cuts markups by up to 20% versus old-school dealers.

• Get live spot price updates for gold coins and silver bars. This helps you buy at the best time.
• Free shipping on orders over $199 saves you money on delivery.
• Competitive premiums, like 3-5% over spot for American Eagle coins, boost your investment returns.

Buy a Monster Box with 500 silver rounds for big savings. You save $0.50 to $1 per ounce, just like with bulk junk silver (old coins with silver value) or numismatic coins (collectible coins worth more than their metal).

The Better Business Bureau gives APMEX an A+ rating.

Authentic Inventory from Trusted Sources

APMEX gets stock straight from official mints and top suppliers like Johnson Matthey. This guarantees real investment-grade items like gold bars, silver rounds, and bullion cards.

Check authenticity with these easy steps:

1. Look for PCGS grading on collectible coins. PCGS certifies purity at 99.9% using protective slabs.
2. Read supplier details on product pages, like how Sunshine Mint makes Buffalo Silver Rounds.
3. Trust APMEX's guarantee backed by direct sourcing.

Big investors like hedge funds buy bulk American Eagle coins from APMEX. Its direct mint links cut fraud risks, as fakes make up over 10% in unchecked markets per PCGS reports.

This keeps your long-term investments safe from secondary market dangers.

Cons and Potential Drawbacks

APMEX does a lot right, but watch for higher premiums on some items. Customer service can sometimes lag, based on reviews.

Weigh these against its strong points before buying.

Premium Pricing Compared to Competitors

APMEX charges 1-2% more in premiums than JM Bullion on gold coins and silver bars. Premiums are the extra cost over spot price, due to direct sourcing and service costs, but buyback options help.

The gap grows for junk silver and numismatic coins. APMEX adds 5-10% over spot, versus JM Bullion's 3-7%, because these need special care.

In non-exempt states like Texas, sales tax adds 6-8% to the total cost. APMEX offers tax-free storage to cut this expense.

APMEX runs flash sales only for invited customers. This setup limits bigger discount chances.

Promotions skip mentions of bullion cards or wire transfers.

A 2022 Better Business Bureau review looked at complaints like class actions and community pushes. It shows premiums eat into profits for orders under $500.

Try a mix: Buy numismatic coins from APMEX for their certified realness.

Get bulk silver bars from JM Bullion to save money on spot prices.

Is APMEX Reliable for Precious Metals Investments?

APMEX has built a strong reputation since starting in 2000. Happy customers and an A+ BBB rating make it a trusted pick for precious metals, like Gold IRAs.

APMEX procures its products directly from reputable mints, such as the U.S. Mint, in contrast to secondary markets that present elevated risks of fraudulent activities, as detailed in the Solari Report (2019).

The company handles IRA accounts and Gold IRAs well. IRA means Individual Retirement Account.

It partners with Citadel Depository Services for smooth rollovers using ACH transfer.

With no significant incidents of fraud reported, APMEX is well-suited for long-term hedging strategies, including the acquisition of American Eagle gold coins at competitive premiums of less than 3% above the spot price. This strong positioning has significant implications for investors evaluating options in the precious metals space- Birch Gold Group vs. Other Precious Metal Dealers demonstrates how such dealers compare overall.

How Does Customer Service Stack Up?

APMEX offers toll-free phone and online chat support.

People praise its quick responses.

Some complain about long waits, rude staff, and slow refunds for canceled orders or denied claims.

APMEX beats competitors like JM Bullion in key areas. It can improve on fixing delivery and packaging troubles. The following table offers a concise overview:

APMEX shines in quick help!

Customers love the learning tools APMEX offers. BBB reviews back this up.

A few gripe about bad quality or call it a scam, but most stay happy.

Here are tips for payments like credit cards, wire transfers, and Bitcoin via crypto. Use these steps to stay safe.

• Cancel orders in 24 hours using online chat for quick handling.
• Expect ACH refunds in 7-10 days. ACH means Automated Clearing House.
• Email support for denied claims with your transaction ID.

Check videos on PeakProsperity.com.

Expert Catherine Austin Fitts shows APMEX staff handle Bitcoin payments via BitPay well.

This boosts transaction safety.

What About Shipping and Security?

APMEX ships safely with UPS and USPS.

Get free shipping on orders over $199.

Sign for high-value items. Pick UPS or USPS to dodge delivery snags.

Follow these steps for smooth shipping:

1. During checkout, choose your preferred shipping method, either UPS Ground (3-5 business days) or USPS Priority (2-3 business days), with applicable fees ranging from $25 to $50 for orders under $199.
2. Access real-time tracking updates via your account dashboard.
3. Confirm the signature requirement for orders valued over $1,000 to mitigate risks of unauthorized access.
4. Upon receipt, promptly inspect the packaging and report any damage within seven days through APMEX customer support.

APMEX maintains a 95% on-time delivery rate, based on internal performance data from its inventory stock in Oklahoma City. This performance stands out when compared to other dealers, such as Bullion Standard's approach, which often involves different timelines and fees in our in-depth analysis. A frequent oversight involves forgoing the optional insurance add-on (priced at $2-5), which provides coverage up to $100,000 for losses in accordance with the company's policy.

Do They Offer Good Educational Support?

APMEX provides helpful educational resources. These include guides on investing in gold, silver, and other precious metals to help you make smart choices.

The site has over 100 free articles and videos. They cover topics like spot price changes (the current market price) and setting up an IRA (a retirement account for precious metals).

These make investing in precious metals easier to understand.

For example, new investors often use these materials to compare Buffalo Silver Rounds and bars.

They look at premiums, purity, and liquidity. This helps pick the best option over rivals like JM Bullion.

Key advantages include the following:

1. Detailed, step-by-step tutorials on APMEX's buyback program. They make reselling easy.
2. Live webinars by top experts like Catherine Austin Fitts from PeakProsperity.com. They cover global market views.
3. Insights from data and the Solari Report. Use them to track market trends closely.

Company research shows these education efforts boosted customer satisfaction by 20%. They help improve returns on your investments (ROI) during market ups and downs.

Company History and Founding

APMEX was established in 2000 by Keith Manoff in Oklahoma City, evolving into a premier retailer of precious metals under the leadership of executives such as Damon Stell and Misty Barnett. The company serves millions of customers worldwide, emphasizing authenticity and comprehensive educational resources.

Originally launched as the American Precious Metals Exchange, APMEX expanded its operations in 2010 to accommodate institutional clients. This development was supported by the advantageous location of its Oklahoma City headquarters, which facilitates efficient inventory sourcing due to its proximity to U.S. mints.

By 2020, APMEX had integrated cryptocurrency payment options, including Bitcoin, to enhance accessibility and broaden its customer base.

APMEX builds trust with free webinars, guides on spotting fakes, and easy phone support. This earns them an A+ from the Better Business Bureau.

Clear pricing helped APMEX grow from a startup to over $1 billion in yearly sales. Their approach gives tips on sourcing metals directly for other businesses. Related insight: [ APMEX vs Monex Precious Metals]

Range of Precious Metals Products

APMEX offers a wide range of high-quality precious metals. You can find gold coins, silver bars, platinum rounds, and palladium bars for personal or business investing.

The principal product categories are as follows:

• Gold: American Eagle coins (1 oz, with premiums of $50 to $100 over spot price, which is the current market value), great for reliable bullion investments.
• Silver: Bars and Monster Boxes (500 oz, offering bulk discounts of up to 5%), well-suited for accumulation strategies.
• Platinum/Palladium: Johnson Matthey rounds, recognized for their industrial applications and comparatively lower premiums.
• Numismatic: PCGS-graded rare coins, which provide potential for collectible value appreciation.
• Junk silver: Pre-1965 U.S. coins, facilitating accessible entry into fractional ownership.

APMEX keeps over 10,000 items in stock (SKUs are unique product codes). They buy straight from top mints like the U.S. Mint to ensure everything is real.

Recommended approach: Match your product choices to your investment goals. For example, use gold bars in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to save on taxes.

Always follow Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules. Explore Birch Gold Group as a comprehensive guide to precious metal investments for additional strategies tailored to your needs.

Secure Storage and Additional Services

APMEX offers secure storage from trusted partners like Citadel Depository. It also includes buyback programs and payment choices like Bitcoin.

Citadel Depository has insured vaults that keep your items separate. They offer 99.99% security uptime with yearly fees of $100 to $200.

Link them easily to your Gold IRA using bank transfers or wires.

Long-term investors find this setup ideal.

This setup lowers delivery risks. It fits IRS rules and advice from groups like the American Numismatic Association. Key services include:

• Our buyback program pays 95% of the current market price. Sell fast and get cash quickly.
• Easy payment options include credit cards with a 3% fee. Get free wire transfers on orders over $10,000. Pay with Bitcoin using BitPay.
• Track your order live in the APMEX app. We ship via UPS or USPS and require a signature on delivery.

Heads up: Numismatic coins cannot go into storage.