Birch Gold Group is everywhere. If you listen to conservative talk radio or podcasts, you've probably heard Ben Shapiro, Ron Paul, or other hosts endorse them. That kind of exposure brings in a lot of customers—and inevitably, some complaints.
But here's the question: are the complaints a sign of a problematic company, or just the normal noise that comes with handling thousands of customers? I went through their BBB file, Trustpilot reviews, and regulatory history to find out.
Verdict: Legitimate Business
Birch Gold Group is a legitimate, established company. They've been in business since 2003—scams don't last 20+ years. They maintain an A+ BBB rating and have no regulatory actions against them.
The complaints we found were mostly about shipping delays and spot price confusion—common issues across the industry, not signs of fraud. They respond to complaints and resolve issues, which is why they keep their A+ rating.
Visit Birch Gold GroupWhat Are People Actually Complaining About?
I read through dozens of BBB complaints and negative reviews. Here are the patterns I found:
1. Spot Price Confusion (Most Common)
Many new investors don't understand that when you buy gold, you pay a premium above the spot price. When they check their account and see a value lower than what they paid, they think they got scammed. This is actually normal—it's the dealer's spread, and it exists everywhere.
2. Shipping Delays
Some customers complained about delays in receiving their metals or getting their IRA funded. Most of these were resolved once the customer contacted support, and many were due to third-party custodian delays, not Birch Gold directly.
3. Sales Call Frequency
A few people complained about follow-up calls after requesting a free kit. This is standard practice in the industry—if you request info, expect calls. You can always ask to be removed from their list.
What I didn't find: accusations of theft, regulatory violations, or patterns of outright fraud. That matters more than a handful of shipping complaints.
Does the Ben Shapiro Endorsement Mean Anything?
Let's be real: celebrity endorsements are paid. Ben Shapiro, Ron Paul, and other hosts are compensated to promote Birch Gold. That doesn't automatically make the company good or bad.
However, there's a practical consideration: high-profile endorsers have reputations to protect. If Birch Gold were scamming their listeners, it would blow up publicly. The ongoing relationships suggest that Birch Gold is at least meeting basic expectations.
The Endorsement Effect
Birch Gold has worked with the same conservative media figures for years. If their customers were getting ripped off en masse, these partnerships would have ended. Still, don't choose a company based on who endorses them—do your own research on fees and service.
Is Birch Gold Group a Scam?
No. Here's why I'm confident about that:
- 20+ years in business: Scams get shut down. Legitimate businesses last. Birch Gold has been operating since 2003.
- A+ BBB rating: The BBB doesn't just hand these out. Companies have to respond to complaints and resolve issues to maintain this rating.
- Physical location: Birch Gold operates out of Burbank, California, near Warner Bros studios. They're real people in a real office—not a PO box.
- No regulatory actions: The CFTC, FTC, and state regulators have taken action against numerous gold dealers. Birch Gold isn't on any of those lists.
Bottom Line
Birch Gold Group is a legitimate option, especially if you have a smaller amount to invest (their minimum is just $10,000). Like any company, they have some unhappy customers. But the complaints I found were typical industry friction—not red flags.
The main thing to watch: fees can be a higher percentage of your investment when you're starting with $10-20k. Make sure you understand the spread and annual fees before committing.
For our full review with fee breakdowns and comparisons, see our Birch Gold Group Review.