American Alternative Assets review for gold investors

• American Alternative Assets is a precious metals dealer that helps clients purchase gold and silver directly or for retirement accounts.
• The company specializes in rolling over existing retirement funds into precious metals IRAs and offers personalized guidance.
• It holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a 4.5-star rating on Trustpilot.

American Alternative Assets is a popular precious metals dealer that offers bars and coins direct purchase or for inclusion in retirement accounts like traditional and Roth IRAs. 

The company primarily focuses on helping clients transfer funds from existing retirement plans into precious metals IRAs. But those interested in direct purchase can also find a few notable perks like a complimentary home safe for qualified orders.

Below, we’ll explain American Alternative Assets’ products, fees, customer experience and how the company compares with other precious metals dealers.

American Alternative Assets overview

American Alternative Assets is a precious metals dealer that helps investors diversify their portfolios with physical gold and silver. The company supports both direct precious metals purchases and self-directed precious metals IRAs through partnerships with third-party custodians and IRS-approved depositories. For IRA investors, the company also assists with IRS-eligible platinum and palladium investments, in addition to gold and silver. 

We selected American Alternative Assets as the best gold IRA company for alternative investing because it emphasizes personalized guidance for investors looking to add physical precious metals to a broader investment strategy. Its specialists provide one-on-one support throughout the rollover process, making it especially appealing to first-time precious metals investors.

Unlike many competitors, American Alternative Assets does not require a minimum investment, making its services accessible to a wider 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, because it's a newer company than many established precious metals dealers, investors who prioritize a long operating history may prefer a more established provider.

American Alternative Assets snapshot

American Alternative Assets products and services

American Alternative Assets offers both direct precious metals purchases and self-directed precious metals IRA services.

For retirement investors, the company helps clients roll over funds from eligible retirement accounts, including 401(k)s and traditional IRAs, into self-directed precious metals IRAs. Although American Alternative Assets is not an IRA custodian, it works with multiple third-party custodians and IRS-approved depositories to help clients establish and manage their accounts. 

Company specialists also assist investors with selecting eligible precious metals that comply with IRS requirements, including:

• Gold: Minimum purity of 99.5%
• Silver: Minimum purity of 99.9%

Investors who don't want to open a retirement account can also purchase physical gold and silver directly. According to the company, precious metals purchased for direct delivery are fully insured while in transit to the customer's home.

Beyond its investment services, American Alternative Assets provides educational resources through its online Learning Center, along with digital tools such as a Gold and Silver Investment Calculator and a Hedge Protection Calculator to help investors evaluate different investment scenarios.

How the American Alternative Assets process works

The typical American Alternative Assets customer experience looks like this:

1. Complete consultation and account setup. An American Alternative Assets specialist helps you complete an application/customer agreement.
2. Fund the account. You transfer funds from an existing retirement account such as an IRA or 401(k) to a new precious metals IRA.
3. Select metals. You work with a specialist to build a portfolio with gold and silver that aligns with your goals and risk tolerance.
4. Arrange storage. A specialist helps you choose an IRS-approved depository to secure your metals.

American Alternative Assets fees and pricing considerations

American Alternative Assets doesn't publicly disclose a comprehensive fee schedule because many of the costs associated with a precious metals IRA are charged by the third-party custodian and depository rather than the company itself.

If you open a gold or silver IRA, you can generally expect to pay:

• A one-time account setup fee
• An annual account administration fee
• Annual storage fees for your precious metals

The exact costs vary depending on the custodian and storage provider you choose. American Alternative Assets works with several custodians — including Equity Trust, STRATA Trust, Kingdom Trust, GoldStar Trust and Madison Trust — each with its own fee schedule. During the account setup process, a company representative can help you compare these options and estimate your total costs.

For investors making a direct purchase rather than opening an IRA, pricing is based on the current spot price of gold or silver plus a dealer premium. The spot price reflects the metal's current market value, while the premium covers costs such as manufacturing, distribution and the dealer's markup.

American Alternative Assets does not publish its premiums online. Instead, prospective customers must request a quote or speak with a specialist to receive current pricing.

American Alternative Assets reputation and customer experience

American Alternative Assets has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Reviews on the BBB’s website are mostly positive with customers praising the company for its knowledgeable staff and exceptional customer service. 

On Trustpilot, American Alternative Assets has a 4.5 rating of “Excellent”, and many customers said the company was easy to work with and supportive. 

American Alternative Assets pros and cons

Before committing to American Alternative Assets, consider these tradeoffs:

Pros

• Personalized guidance for precious metals IRA rollovers
• No minimum investment requirement
• Works with multiple IRA custodians and IRS-approved depositories
• Offers direct purchases of physical precious metals alongside IRA services

Cons

• Spot pricing and dealer premiums aren't published online
• Product catalog with available coins and bars isn't available online
• Shorter operating history than many established precious metals dealers

American Alternative Assets vs. competitors

Most precious metals dealers offer similar services. Where one would stand out from the other typically lies in fees, level of customer service, and ease of transactions. Here’s how American Alternative Assets compares to other leading gold and silver dealers.

The bottom line

American Alternative Assets is a solid choice for investors looking to diversify with physical precious metals, particularly those who value personalized guidance and don't want to meet a minimum investment requirement. 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 any gold IRA provider, it's important to compare multiple companies before opening an account. Request a complete breakdown of custodian, storage and dealer fees, compare the premiums charged on precious metals and consult a qualified financial advisor to determine whether physical gold or silver fits your overall investment strategy.

FAQS about American Alternative Assets

Is American Alternative Assets legitimate?

American Alternative Assets is a legitimate precious metals dealer that helps customers purchase physical gold and silver and open self-directed precious metals IRAs. The company partners with third-party custodians and IRS-approved depositories rather than serving as a custodian itself. It also holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and a strong Trustpilot rating.

Does American Alternative Assets offer gold IRAs?

American Alternative Assets helps customers open self-directed precious metals IRAs by facilitating rollovers from eligible 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?

American Alternative Assets does not require a minimum investment for its precious metals products or IRA services, making it more accessible than many competitors that require initial investments ranging from several thousand dollars to $50,000.

Can I buy 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, metals shipped directly to customers are fully insured while in transit.

Does American Alternative Assets publish its pricing online?

American Alternative Assets does not publicly list its dealer premiums or a complete fee schedule on its website. Because IRA costs depend on the custodian and depository you select, prospective customers should request a written quote and fee breakdown before opening an account or purchasing precious metals.