Kitco Metals vs Blanchard Company: Comparing Investment Options
Deciding where to invest in precious metals can be pivotal to your financial strategy. Are you considering Kitco Metals or Blanchard Company? This straight-to-the-point analysis compares their services, from product selection and prices to customer support, equipping you with the necessary insights to choose the partner that fits your investment journey: Kitco Metals vs Blanchard Company.
Key Takeaways
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Kitco Metals Inc. and Blanchard Company both offer diverse precious metal investment products, with Kitco Metals praised for its secure shipping and Blanchard known for historical prominence and local presence.
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Real-time spot pricing for precious metals is available from both Kitco Metals and Blanchard Company, providing investors with the latest market data for informed decision-making, notwithstanding additional transaction and management fees.
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Both companies provide a range of IRA investment options, customer service, education resources, and secure storage solutions for precious metals, addressing various investor needs and ensuring asset protection.
Comparing Kitco Metals and Blanchard Company
Kitco Metals Inc., established in 1977, and Blanchard Company, founded prior to 1895, are both industry leaders in the precious metals investment domain. They offer a diverse range of investment options in precious metals including:
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Gold
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Silver
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Platinum
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Palladium
Catering to the varied needs and preferences of investors worldwide.
Kitco Metals Inc.
Kitco Metals Inc. is a multinational corporation with a strong focus on trading physical precious metals. The company offers a wide range of products, including:
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Gold
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Platinum
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Palladium
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Silver
Customers have commended Kitco Metals for its professionalism and the excellent condition of its products. The company is also known for its secure and efficient shipping process, setting it apart from other dealers in the industry.
A noteworthy mention from a customer, who expressed their experience as highly satisfactory, praised the meticulous packaging, competitive pricing, and delivery through registered mail in the same way.
Blanchard Company
On the other hand, Blanchard Company has a rich history with a significant presence in the precious metals investment industry. Founded by Jim Blanchard and Donald Doyle, the company specializes in precious metals investment, offering products such as gold and silver bullion, rare coins, and investment-grade options. Located in Escondido, CA, the company has a strong local presence and caters to a diverse clientele.
Precious Metal Products Offered
Both Kitco Metals and Blanchard Company offer a wide range of precious metal products.
Kitco Metals offers:
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Gold coins
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Gold bars
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Silver coins
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Silver bars
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Platinum coins
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Palladium coins
Blanchard Company also offers a variety of precious metal products.
Blanchard Company, on the other hand, specializes in gold and silver bullion, rare coins, and investment-grade silver coins and bars. This diverse offering ensures that customers have a broad suite of investment options to choose from.
Gold and Silver
Both companies provide a robust selection of gold and silver products. Kitco Metals provides gold rounds, while Blanchard Company offers gold bullion, rare coins, and precious metals such as gold bars. On the silver front, Kitco Metals offers products such as 100 oz Silver Kitco Bars and 1 oz Silver Asahi Bars.
Meanwhile, Blanchard Company provides:
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Investment grade silver coins
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Silver bullion bars
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Circulated coins
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Bulk options
With such a variety, you can be assured to find a product that suits your investment profile.
Platinum and Palladium
Investors interested in platinum and palladium will also find plenty of options with both companies. Kitco Metals provides a range of platinum products, including 0.9995+ Pure Platinum Coins, 1 oz Platinum Credit Suisse Bars, and 1/10 oz Platinum American Eagle Coins.
Blanchard Company doesn’t lag behind either, with a selection of palladium coins, including gainesville coins, and bars ready for investors and collectors alike.
Pricing and Spot Prices
A key aspect of the investment process involves understanding and comparing the pricing and spot prices of precious metals. Both Kitco Metals and Blanchard Company provide real-time spot prices for precious metals like:
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gold
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silver
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platinum
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palladium
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rhodium
These prices are presented in various units and currencies. You can find the pricing for gold under the ‘Live Spot Gold’ section on Kitco Metals’ website, while Blanchard Company provides their gold prices in the spot prices section on their website.
Kitco Metals Pricing
Kitco Metals offers real-time spot prices for the following metals:
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Gold
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Silver
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Platinum
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Palladium
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Rhodium
The prices are calculated using live market data and are influenced by a variety of factors such as annual supply, mining regions, industrial usages, economic policy, and geopolitical tensions, among others.
When purchasing precious metals from Kitco Metals, one should be aware of the following additional fees:
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Administrative fee for transactions involving pool
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Fee of $14.99 for telephone transactions
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Potential expenses for exchanges involving different products.
Blanchard Company Pricing
Blanchard Company offers the spot price for precious metals including:
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Gold
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Silver
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Platinum
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Palladium
These metals are available in different forms such as coins, fractional coins, bars, and investment-grade options. The company is known for its competitive pricing, as can be seen in the spot prices listed on their website. However, it is important to note that in addition to the purchase price, Blanchard Company imposes a $25 setup fee and an annual administrative plus storage fee ranging from $160 to over $350 for precious metals.
Customer Service and Client Experience
Both Kitco Metals and Blanchard Company excel in different areas of customer service and client experience. Kitco Metals is appreciated for their uncomplicated and expeditious service, while Blanchard Company has garnered an average rating of 4.88/5 stars from 44 customer reviews and a rating of 4.5/5 based on 128 reviews on Facebook. However, it’s worth noting that both companies have faced some criticism, with Kitco Metals customers raising concerns about non-receipt of orders and difficulty in reaching the company, and Blanchard Company facing allegations of lack of transparency and undisclosed fees.
Kitco Metals Customer Service
Despite some criticism, Kitco Metals has implemented measures to ensure a positive customer experience. The company has implemented:
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Advanced encryption technology
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Secure data storage
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Strict access controls
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Robust physical security measures
These measures are in place to safeguard assets and protect facilities.
The company provides global storage options for precious metals in high-quality vaults that undergo auditing, segregation, and insurance. All metals held in Kitco Allocated Storage accounts are fully insured, ensuring peace of mind for the investors.
Blanchard Company Customer Service
Blanchard Company, on the other hand, offers competitive pricing that enhances the value of the investment, and support from a dedicated IRA Specialist to assist investors in understanding their investment. Despite some criticisms, the company has been recognized for its excellence in customer service, and it provides regular updates on corporate news, programs, product developments, and articles that cover the latest industry trends to keep its clients informed. In comparison, Rosland Capital also offers precious metal investment options for clients.
IRA Investment Options
Both companies present a variety of IRA investment options for astute investors. Kitco Metals provides a range of precious metals that are suitable for gold IRA investments, such as:
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gold
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silver
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platinum
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palladium
Blanchard Company, on the other hand, provides the opportunity to include gold, various types of coins, and precious metals in an IRA, with the help of GoldStar Trust Company.
Kitco Metals IRA Investments
Kitco Metals offers the following services for IRAs:
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Home Storage Gold IRA Program: investors can personally hold gold in their IRA
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Gold and silver IRAs: requires the selection of a custodian in addition to the company managing the IRA
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Tax-free rollovers and transfer options
However, potential investors should be aware of the costs involved, which include:
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An annual fee of $275
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Administrative fees for purchasing or selling from the Kitco Pool – Metal Account
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Fees for account opening, wire transfers, and storage.
Blanchard Company IRA Investments
Blanchard Company’s IRA services include support for the transfer of existing IRAs or 401(k)s into precious metals IRAs with the assistance of GoldStar Trust Company, an IRS-approved custodian. The company offers the option for investors to include gold and other precious metals in a self-directed IRA, facilitating diversification within their retirement portfolio.
To establish a precious metals IRA with Blanchard Company, individuals must deposit bullion with an IRS-approved custodian bank.
Educational Resources and Industry News
Both companies provide educational resources and industry news, which can be highly beneficial to investors and potential investors. Kitco Metals offers educational materials on:
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Bullion investment education
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Bullion buying basics
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Bullion terminology
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Bullion supply and demand fundamentals
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Information about local bullion dealers.
Blanchard Company offers a wide range of digital and virtual learning materials, including eBooks, articles, and videos for online leadership training.
Kitco Metals Resources
Kitco Metals provides a wealth of information for investors. They provide educational resources covering topics such as bullion investment education, bullion buying basics, bullion terminology, bullion supply and demand fundamentals, and local bullion dealers. They also provide a community forum for investors and practical guides on buying precious metals, selling gold, and understanding market dynamics.
The company offers a Beginner’s Guide, which assists new investors in comprehending the process of investing in Gold and Silver Bullion. In addition to textual resources, Kitco Metals offers video and webinar-based educational resources.
Blanchard Company Resources
Blanchard Company, in partnership with Lear Capital, offers a range of educational materials, including:
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An eBook catering to novice precious metal investors
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Self-paced eLearning options
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A wealth of digital content like articles and videos aimed at enriching online leadership training efforts.
The company provides regular updates in its industry news section, offering the latest insights on the precious metal and rare coin market, delivered straight to your inbox weekly.
Security and Storage Options
Investors place top priority on the security and storage of their precious metals. Both Kitco Metals and Blanchard Company offer secure storage options for precious metals. Kitco Metals provides top-tier vaults that are audited, segregated, and insured.
Blanchard Company also provides secure storage options for investors to securely store their precious metals.
Kitco Metals Security and Storage
Kitco Metals offers secure storage facilities for precious metals. The company provides:
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Secure storage facilities
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Voice ID technology for account protection
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Encryption for sensitive communications
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Global storage options for precious metals in high-quality vaults that undergo auditing, segregation, and insurance.
All metals held in Kitco Allocated Storage accounts are fully insured.
Blanchard Company Security and Storage
Blanchard Company offers secure storage solutions for gold and silver, including home safes, bank deposit boxes, and international depositories. The company guarantees the security of all precious metal investments, including platinum and palladium, through the use of secure storage options, and it employs online privacy protection utilizing SSL technology.
The company’s storage facilities are comprehensively insured and are regularly audited by the company to guarantee the security and authenticity of stored precious metals.
Summary
Investing in precious metals is a complex endeavor that demands careful consideration and planning. Both Kitco Metals and Blanchard Company offer a plethora of options to suit different investment needs. While Kitco Metals is lauded for its wide range of products and secure storage options, Blanchard Company is known for its customer service and educational resources. Both companies have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between the two will depend on individual investor preferences and objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best company to buy gold and silver from?
The best company to buy gold and silver from is APMEX, which offers a wide range of products, including collectibles, and has a solid track record and strong customer service.
What is the best way to buy gold and silver?
The best way to buy gold and silver is to purchase them from an online dealer, such as JM Bullion, or a local coin shop. These are the most common and trusted places to acquire precious metals.
What is the best place to buy gold?
The best place to buy gold is from well-known and trustworthy dealers such as JM Bullion, APMEX, and American Hartford Gold. These dealers have a solid track record and strong customer service, making them reliable choices for purchasing gold.
What kind of precious metals do Kitco Metals and Blanchard Company specialize in?
Both Kitco Metals and Blanchard Company specialize in dealing with a wide range of precious metals including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. However, Blanchard Company also focuses on rare collectible coins.
What are the storage options for precious metals at Kitco Metals and Blanchard Company?
Both Kitco Metals and Blanchard Company offer secure storage options for precious metals, including audited, segregated, and insured vaults. Consider these options for safe and reliable storage of your investments.
