GBI Direct (Formerly Hard Assets Alliance) Avis 364

This is an overall review of my experience with HAA. First of all, my main issue is about the very high round-trip costs, especially for metals like silver. This is something that is rather transparent and I kind of knew when opening my account, but it helps to remind: the round trip costs for buying silver are around 20% because of the enormous spreads charged. This is nothing too uncommon in that buisness, but it still hurts a lot - despite good recent gains, especially if one needs access to one's funds. For a very long-term investment, it might be less of a big deal, but anything below say 5-10y holding period is IMO simply not worth it. So about my recent experience: for the privilege of having sold 400 oz of silver this week at a 12% discount to spot I'm now asked to wait more than 3 days business days until I can withdraw my funds (from the site: "rades take two full business days to settle. … funds cannot be withdrawn until 2 full business days after the trade has been placed and after 5:15 PM EST."). I just added a new bank account and of course I'm not gonna wire $18k out of the blue when I've had so many issues already with HAA - manly funding my account (with exactly the account I'm trying to withdraw from now, I tried with something like $50 in the past, luckily the money went back to my Revolut account and didn't disappear into the nirvana). So yeah, just I withdrew $26 with a $25 fee, a nice little touch after having lost around $4k in total on the round trip (despite still satisfying gains overall of course).

Dealing with customer service in the past has also not yielded satisfying results.

I guess the only positive thing is that despite all the fees, at least the metal and money seems to be safe.

I've updated my rating to 3 stars as HAA has offered to kindly refund the transaction cost for the wiring. I still keep a 3 star rating as I think it's important to highlight the high fees in every step of the investing process.

Samantha's product knowlege added a lot of value to the Hard Assets Alliance services I currently use. Notably, she proceeded with measured efficiency to resolve my issues, clarify my concerns, and simplify my website interaction. All of this delivered with much appreciated interest and empathy. What I appreciate most about Hard Assets Alliance is the streamlined website (no marketing impositions) with a winning commitment to improve both services and customer care.

Ooooh my goodness, Lindsey was fantastic!!

Knowledgeable, intelligent, quick, fun, fast and made my father and me so comfortable!!!

She helped us so much and we would ask for her every time!!!

Don’t lose her because you’ll be making a big mistake!!!! She is absolutely amazing!!!!

Btw, I don’t remember the date we talked to her but it was last week….so I just put last Friday.

Kind and informative customer support.

Sammy was fantastic in doing the requested transaction. Very professional in explaining the process to be done. Thank you!

Devon was knowledgeable and persistent in fixing the problem.

Lindsey was very professional and answered all my questions and more. 5*****

Lindsey was knowledgable and courteous, a perfect representative for a company concerned about public relations. She dealt with my weak hearing and my lack of knowledge about procedures with patience and understanding, never giving the impression that I was an impediment to her day. She helped me to sell and place an order and split the proceeds so that I understood the requirements for the different parts.
Hard Assets is a prime resource for metals investment, because the company is staffed with people like Lindsey who know the business and have great understanding of the people they deal with.

Easy to enter. Difficult to leave. Cheaper storage available at competition. They claim "on-demand delivery" but it's not a simple process, nor do they provide good service re transfering out your holdings.

Easy to enter. difficult to leave.

Getting my money out is difficult. (the account I funded account with was closed many years ago--they would not send to new bank account without additional documentation--but they had accepted additional money from new bank account recently!)

and there is a substantial 10% sales commission.

Travis was courteous and helpful concerning my inability to enter my account.

I sold a coin to cover the cost of storage and wanted to know how long it would take and got the answer immediately.

Sammy was very responsive to all of my questions and requests.

Jennelle was very professional, courteous and very knowledgeable about the company and extremely helpful in assisting me learn about my new account, even guiding me through establishing another account.This is what customer service is supposed to be!

Sammy had a very pleasant demeanor. She was very patient with me as she explained the particular's of my mother's account. My mother has dementia and she is not able to manage her own finances.

I bought a 1ounce gold bar from them. It was sent by FedEx. It never arrived. FedEx produced a so called “proof of delivery” which had a poorly printed “signature” which was clearly not mine.
Hard Assets told me that their insurance company would not process my claim! They have refused to send me a copy of the insurance company report.
I am thus in the situation where my gold bar is not in my possession. It was presumably stolen.
Any advice?
I have still not received a copy of the insurance claim. What is the problem?
I used Hard Assets Alliance in good faith. They have been paid. Yet I still do not have my gold bar as of September 17th 2024.
Dr. Brian R Briggs.
Still no response re insurance. Hard Assets Alliance is not to be trusted.

I have been buying gold and silver each month with Hard Assets Alliance now for quite some time. I noticed that I accumulated over an ounce of gold that has been stored safety with the company. I emailed Ryan from HAA with a request to deliver one ounce of gold to my residence. That’s when I was put in touch with Samantha the Customer Success Director. Not only did she deliver my gold, but she went above and beyond to make sure I was delivered an ounce stamped to my liking. I emailed her that the Swiss Alps held a special place in my heart. Samantha promptly sent me an email with the tracking information, so I knew when my precious cargo would arrive. One week later I received my Switzerland stamped 1 ounce of fine gold. The gold arrived well packaged and in its own numbered casing that matched the etching in the metal. I’m pleased with the excellent customer service as well as the presentation of the product. I’m keeping this gold with me for years to come, but as for the rest of my metals, I feel that they are safely stored with Hard Assets Alliance.

Sam was very helpful setting up the account.Thank you for guidance!