Investment Rarities Inc Review: Trusted Gold Investment?
Navigating the world of precious metal investments can be complex. This investment rarities inc review aims to simplify that journey by offering a candid look at the company’s services, trustworthiness, and what customers are genuinely saying.
Key Takeaways
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Investment Rarities Inc. (IRI) has a longstanding presence in the precious metals industry, specializing in gold and silver investments with a selection ranging from coins to bars and offering secure storage and shipping solutions.
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IRI provides self-directed IRA services through a partnership with GoldStar Trust Company and prioritizes educational resources with insights from industry experts, despite some customer feedback highlighting concerns over service quality and pricing.
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The company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau; however, online reviews are limited, and there are alternative precious metal investment options offered by competitors, such as American Hartford Gold, Augusta Precious Metals, and Goldco.
Understanding Investment Rarities Inc.
Investment Rarities Inc., commonly known as IRI, has been a stalwart in the precious metals industry for almost half a century. Established in the 1970s, this company has built a reputation for specializing in gold and silver investments. With key figures like Jim Cook and Ted Butler at the helm, IRI has consistently focused on delivering quality precious metal products to its clients.
Company Background
Few companies rival Investment Rarities Inc. in terms of longevity. Founded in 1974 by Jim Cook, IRI has evolved from its humble beginnings to become a leading gold company in the United States. Today, it is recognized as one of the top silver and gold dealers in the nation, testament to its enduring presence and influence in the precious metals market.
Precious Metals Focus
The focused investment approach of IRI has been a significant factor in its success. The company specializes in precious metals investments, particularly gold and silver bars and coins. It offers a diverse range of gold products, including the popular U.S. Gold Eagles in varying sizes, international gold coins like the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf and the Austrian Philharmonic, and historical U.S. coins.
Yet, IRI’s reputation extends beyond gold. The company also caters to silver investors with an impressive selection of silver products. IRI’s philosophy emphasizes delivering physical metals without leveraging, which has been fundamental to their sustained growth and strong performance in the precious metals market.
Products and Services Offered
IRI’s product portfolio is exclusively focused on precious metals, offering a wide range of gold and silver products, primarily gold and silver coins and silver bars. They offer popular coins like:
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American Gold Eagle
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American Silver Eagle
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Gold Austrian Philharmonic
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Canadian Gold Maple Leaf and Canadian Silver Maple Leaf
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Vintage Kennedy half-dollars from 1964
In addition to coins, the company also trades in silver bars, which come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 10 to 1,000 ounces each. They also offer 90% silver coin bags with an assortment of half-dollars, quarters, and dimes all pre-dating 1965. Recognized for potential scarcity and profit potential, these bags hold 715 ounces of silver and can also be delivered in half-bag quantities. To ensure the authenticity of all products, IRI conducts a thorough examination by experts and provides secure packing, counting, and insurance coverage for shipments.
Gold and Silver Coins
Gold and silver coins form a vital part of IRI’s offerings. Physical gold, a symbol of wealth throughout history, has been consistently valued for its gradual appreciation. It’s recommended as an asset for long-term investment accounts due to its reliability in value retention and potential for steady growth over time, making gold prices an important factor to consider.
Bullion Bars
Not limited to coins, IRI also sources gold bars from distinguished refineries known for their stringent quality and purity standards. Their gold bullion portfolio includes 1-ounce, 10-ounce, and kilo bars, accommodating a range of investment capacities.
For silver investors, IRI offers a selection of .999 pure silver bullion bars in various sizes.
Precious Metals IRA
IRI takes retirement planning seriously, offering self-directed IRA services through a partnership with GoldStar Trust Company. To utilize IRA services, investors can set up an account with GoldStar Trust Company, the gold IRA custodian endorsed by IRI.
Notably, the top products approved for IRI’s self-directed precious metals IRAs are American Gold Eagle and Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coins. Many investors seek out precious metal IRAs as an alternative to the stock market to diversify their retirement accounts.
Storage and Shipping Solutions
Ensuring the safety and security of your precious metal investments is paramount, and IRI has taken steps to address this. The company partners with Brinks for secure storage solutions, providing peace of mind to their clients for their gold and silver assets.
Additionally, IRI offers comprehensive shipping and handling services for precious metals, including secure logistics by Brinks for pick-up, transit, and delivery.
Brinks Vault Storage
Brinks Global Services offers state-of-the-art vaults and bonded warehouses, designed specifically for high-security warehousing of precious metals. Brinks’ storage services include private client storage with dedicated pick-and-pack operations, enhancing the safety and personalization of precious metals storage.
IRI provides the option for customers to store their 1,000 ounce .999 pure silver bars in Brinks vaults, ensuring the silver remains separate and is not leased out.
Shipping and Selling Services
Designed with customer convenience and security in mind, IRI’s shipping and selling services are quite robust. They allow customers to:
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Execute buy or sell orders for bullion items at prevailing market prices
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Lock in the price with a broker before sending their bullion or coins for payment
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Sell numismatic items directly to IRI or place them into the company’s consignment inventory, depending on market activity and seller preferences.
The company acknowledges that having a buyback process is a helpful feature that can provide future liquidity to customers.
Customer Support and Education
Although IRI provides educational resources such as an FAQ section and insights from the founders, these are frequently perceived as offering minimal assistance for investors. On the customer support front, the company can be contacted through various methods including phone, email, or by visiting their office in Bloomington, Minnesota.
However, one notable drawback of IRI’s customer support is the lack of transparency about its fee structure. This requires customers to make direct contact for this information, which could be a barrier for some potential investors.
Contact Methods
IRI’s customers can reach out to the company via telephone by calling (800) 328-1860 for inquiries and support. Although details regarding email contact methods and an online contact form are not provided in the available facts, having multiple contact methods is always appreciated by customers in order to cater to their varying communication preferences.
Educational Resources
Investment Rarities Inc., under the guidance of Operations Manager Tom Stock, provides a rich archive of educational materials that include The Best of Jim Cook and insights from silver industry expert Ted Butler. Investors can stay informed on market trends and view live precious metals charts through the company’s Data Center. Subscribing to James Cook’s Market Update Newsletter provides the latest analysis on precious metals.
Additionally, IRI’s official website, investmentrarities.com, offers customers additional information about their services and educational content.
Reputation and Customer Feedback
Investment Rarities Inc. has garnered an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, indicating its solid industry standing. However, there are few online reviews for the company, with one online platform showing a rating of one star based on a single review.
On the flip side, the representatives of IRI are regarded as professional and knowledgeable, with an average customer rating of 3.5 out of 5 on Focus on the User. There have been some complaints about the pricing of their silver products being higher compared to other companies, as well as varied issues related to service quality and allegations of fraud.
Better Business Bureau Rating
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has awarded Investment Rarities Inc. an A+ rating, a testament to the company’s commitment to customer service and ethical business practices.
Online Reviews and Testimonials
Customer reviews and testimonials generally describe IRI as having professional representatives and offering solid market information. However, a Google review notes IRI as being decent but expensive, indicating pricing as a factor for consumer concern. Over the last three years, there have been two filed complaints about IRI’s products or services, reflecting some customer dissatisfactions.
The scarcity of online reviews makes it challenging for prospective investors to assess the reputation of IRI in the industry.
Alternatives to Investment Rarities Inc.
Despite IRI’s longstanding presence in the precious metals market, alternative services are offered by other companies. American Hartford Gold, Augusta Precious Metals, Goldco, and other companies present diverse services and investment options in the precious metals market, including other precious metals.
American Hartford Gold provides Precious Metals IRA, Gold and Silver IRA Rollover, and Physical Delivery services; Augusta Precious Metals offers self-directed IRA investments; and Goldco streamlines the rollover procedure for active retirement accounts. Companies like American Hartford Gold and Goldline prioritize educational resources and customer support to enhance client investment knowledge.
Other firms like USAGOLD, Goldmoney, and Fidelity Investments provide diverse investment options, with USAGOLD specializing in historic coins, Goldmoney offering a precious metals platform, and Fidelity Investments providing mutual funds and ETFs.
Summary
Investment Rarities Inc. has a rich history and a focused investment approach in the precious metals market. With a variety of gold and silver products, coupled with secure storage and shipping solutions, IRI caters to a wide range of investor needs. However, potential investors should be aware of the lack of transparency in IRI’s fee structure and the relatively scarce online reviews. As with any investment decision, it’s wise to weigh the pros and cons and consider alternatives before choosing the right precious metals company for your investment needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to invest in precious metals?
Investing in precious metals can be speculative and may experience short-term and long-term price volatility. The value of these investments may fluctuate based on market conditions, so it’s important to consider the potential risks. While they are relatively stable in the long term due to their many uses, there is always some degree of risk involved in investing in precious metals.
What precious metal is the best investment?
Gold is the best investment for wealth preservation, while silver offers affordability and industrial uses. Platinum and palladium can provide diversification but come with increased volatility and limited investment options.
Is it better to invest in stocks or precious metals?
It’s better to invest in stocks if you want an income stream, as they offer the potential for dividends. (Note: Gold stocks or ETFs may provide dividends but come with higher risk.)
What types of investments does Investment Rarities Inc. offer?
Investment Rarities Inc. specializes in offering precious metals investments, specifically gold and silver bars and coins.
Does Investment Rarities Inc. provide storage solutions for my investments?
Yes, Investment Rarities Inc. provides secure storage solutions for gold and silver assets through their partnership with Brinks.
