American Hartford Gold is a family-owned company that's become a major player in the Gold IRA space. With endorsements from Bill O'Reilly and a 4.9/5 rating on Trustpilot, they look great on paper. But no company is perfect—so I dug into the complaints to see if there are hidden problems.
Verdict: Excellent Reputation
American Hartford Gold has one of the cleanest reputations in the industry. Their A+ BBB rating, stellar Trustpilot score (4.9/5 from thousands of reviews), and proactive customer service set them apart.
The complaints we found were minor and typical for any large company. No patterns of fraud, deceptive practices, or unresolved issues.
Get Their Free Gold GuideWhat Are People Complaining About?
I went through BBB complaints, Trustpilot reviews, and online forums. Here's what I found:
1. Spot Price Confusion
This is the most common "complaint"—and it's really a misunderstanding. When you buy gold, you pay a premium above the spot price. When you check your account value, it shows the current metal value (at spot). The difference isn't a loss—it's the dealer's spread. This exists at every company. American Hartford could do better at educating new investors about this upfront.
2. Shipping Delays
A handful of customers mentioned delays in receiving their metals. Most of these were during high-demand periods (economic uncertainty tends to spike gold purchases). American Hartford typically resolved these by expediting shipping or providing clear timelines.
3. Premium Pricing on Some Products
A few reviewers mentioned that certain coins had higher premiums than expected. This is worth noting—always compare premiums on specific products before buying. But it's not unique to American Hartford.
Notably absent: accusations of fraud, theft, regulatory violations, or refusal to honor buyback guarantees. These are the serious complaints you see with bad actors—and American Hartford doesn't have them.
How American Hartford Handles Issues
What impressed me most was their response to complaints. Looking at BBB responses and Trustpilot replies, American Hartford is proactive about resolving issues:
100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee: They'll buy back your metals at current prices if you're not happy
Personal responses: Complaints typically get responses from senior staff, not form letters
No buyback fees: Unlike some competitors, they don't charge you to sell metals back to them
This responsiveness is a big reason they maintain an A+ BBB rating. Companies that ignore complaints lose that rating fast.
How Do They Compare to Competitors?
For context, here's how American Hartford's complaint profile compares:
- vs. Augusta Precious Metals: Augusta has zero BBB complaints (remarkable), but requires $50k minimum. American Hartford is more accessible at $5k.
- vs. Goldco: Similar reputation level. Both are top-tier with A+ ratings and good customer feedback.
- vs. US Money Reserve: American Hartford has far fewer complaints about aggressive sales tactics.
American Hartford sits comfortably in the top tier of Gold IRA companies by reputation.
Should You Trust American Hartford Gold?
Based on my analysis: yes. American Hartford Gold has earned its reputation. The complaints I found were minor, resolved professionally, and typical for any company handling thousands of customers.
Their low minimum ($5,000), no-fee buyback policy, and family-owned service model make them a solid choice—especially for investors who want personalized attention without the premium pricing of Augusta.
For our full company review with fee breakdowns and comparisons, see our American Hartford Gold Review.