Goldco vs. Lear Capital

Choosing between Goldco and Lear Capital can feel like standing at a fork in the road with your retirement savings on the line.

Both companies help Americans hold physical gold and silver inside retirement accounts, yet they differ in minimums, metals offered, and one notable legal history worth knowing.

I pulled together fee schedules, customer reviews, and company records so you can weigh both before you ever pick up the phone.

Quick Overview

Quick Answer for Readers in a Hurry

Goldco suits savers who want premium service, a strong buyback promise, and gold or silver, with a $25,000 starting point. Lear Capital fits people who want a lower $10,000 entry, a published fee schedule, plus access to platinum and palladium.

If service reputation and a simple gold-and-silver menu matter most to you, Goldco leads. If transparency on costs and metal variety rank higher, Lear Capital earns the nod. Your savings amount and metal preferences usually settle the choice.

The Story Behind Each Company

Every precious metals firm carries a history, and that history tells you something about how it treats the people who trust it with their money. Here is the background on both, including the parts each company would rather you skim past.

Goldco’s Track Record Since 2006

Goldco started operations over a decade ago and has grown into one of the most recognized precious metals companies in the country.

Based in Calabasas, California, the firm has placed more than $3 billion in gold and silver for customers across the United States.

Trevor Gerszt founded the company, which now operates with JD Koehler as president. Goldco holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has earned spots on the Inc. 5000 list for nine straight years.

The company focuses on retirement savers rolling over funds from 401(k), IRA, or TSP accounts. That focus shows up in its service style, which leans heavily on education and one-on-one guidance from precious metals specialists.

Lear Capital’s Longer History (and the 2022 Lawsuit You Should Know About)

Lear Capital opened its doors in 1997, making it one of the longest-running physical metals dealers in the business.

Over 25-plus years, the Los Angeles firm has processed more than $3 billion in transactions and served over 100,000 customers.

Kevin DeMeritt founded and still owns the company. He brings a background in business and economics and wrote a finance book titled The Bulls, the Bears and the Bust.

The uncomfortable part: in January 2022, Lear Capital reached a $6 million settlement with the New York Attorney General.

State officials alleged the company hid steep upfront commissions, reaching as high as 33% on certain collectible coin sales, in fine print and confusing language.

How Lear Rebuilt Trust After Its Legal Trouble

Lear did not just pay and move on. The settlement forced real changes to how the company does business, and those changes benefit customers today.

• The firm now discloses all transaction fees and commissions in plain language by phone and on every invoice.
• A mandatory 24-hour cancellation window lets buyers back out of a purchase without penalty.
• A formal complaint tracking system keeps the company accountable.

These reforms turned a regulatory black eye into a more transparent operation. Lear now publishes its full fee schedule online, something many competitors still avoid. The lawsuit matters, but so does what the company did afterward.

Goldco and Lear Capital Side by Side

Here is how the two firms stack up on the details that shape your decision.

Factor	Goldco	Lear Capital
Founded	Over a decade ago	1997
Minimum Purchase	$25,000	$10,000
Promotion	Up to 10% free silver on qualifying orders	24-hour risk-free purchase guarantee
Founder/CEO	Trevor Gerszt	Kevin DeMeritt
Endorsements	Sean Hannity, Lara Trump, Donald Trump Jr.	Glenn Beck, Mark Spitz
Metals Offered	Gold, silver, platinum, palladium	Gold, silver, platinum, palladium
Buyback Policy	Highest-price guarantee, zero fees	No-fee buyback, partial or full
Custodians	IRS-approved partners	Coordinates with account custodian
Storage Partners	Delaware Depository, Brink’s	Delaware Depository

When I compared the two side by side, the split came down to access versus reputation. Lear’s lower minimum opens the door to savers who cannot meet Goldco’s $25,000 threshold, and its published pricing removes guesswork.

Goldco counters with a service record built on thousands of positive reviews and a buyback promise that puts a floor under your worry about selling later.

Neither is a clear loser. They simply chase slightly different savers. Your starting balance and how much you value upfront transparency will likely tip the scale one way.

What It Actually Costs You in Year One

Fees are where good intentions meet reality. The first year carries the most charges because of setup costs, so this is the number worth studying before you commit.

Goldco’s $25,000 Minimum and Annual Charges

The required minimum purchase at Goldco to start a gold IRA is $25,000. Goldco’s preferred Custodian charges a flat annual account service fee which includes a one-time IRA account set-up fee of $50. as well as a $30 wire fee. Annual maintenance is $100, and storage is $150 for segregated storage or $100 for non-segregated storage.

Fees for gold storage and custodianship can vary depending on the company you select to handle these services (required by the IRS, as all IRA assets must be managed by a custodian).

Depending on the Custodian, storage fees can range from $10 to $60 per month, or as a percentage of assets, from 0.35% to 1% annually. Goldco does not charge any storage fees for cash transactions over $25,000.”

Lear Capital’s $10,000 Entry Point and Published Fee Schedule

Lear sets its IRA minimum at $10,000, less than half of Goldco’s bar. That difference alone makes Lear reachable for a wider group of savers.

The $50 setup fee gets waived on accounts above $10,000. Maintenance runs roughly $280 for the first year and about $200 each year after, and those figures include secure storage and insurance.

What stands out is that Lear posts its complete fee schedule directly on its website. Yahoo Finance named the firm a “Best Value” gold IRA company partly because of that openness, which spares you from guessing what year two will cost.

Spreads and Markups: The Cost Nobody Advertises

The fees in the tables above are only part of the picture. The bigger cost often hides in the spread, the gap between what a dealer pays for a coin and what you pay for it.

• Bullion coins like American Eagles carry smaller markups, often a few percent over spot price.
• Premium and collectible coins can carry markups of 20% or more, which is exactly what landed Lear in trouble in 2022.
• Direct purchases sometimes carry different spreads than IRA purchases for the same metal.

Always ask both companies for the spot price and your purchase price on the same call. A reputable firm will give you both numbers without hesitation. This single question protects you more than any fee table.

Fee Waivers on Larger Accounts

Both firms reward bigger orders. Goldco adds up to 5% free silver on orders between $50,000 and $99,999, and up to 10% on orders of $100,000 or more. Lear waives its $50 setup fee on any account above $10,000.

These perks reduce your effective cost, though they should never be the only reason you pick a metal or a company. Free silver is nice, but a fair spread matters far more to your long-term result.

Metals Selection: Where Lear Pulls Ahead

The metal you can hold shapes how you spread your retirement holdings. Here both firms offer the full set, though the way each presents its menu differs.

Gold and Silver Only at Goldco

Goldco builds its reputation around an extensive gold and silver catalog. The company offers 20-plus gold coin varieties and more than 40 silver options, sourced from mints like the U.S. Mint, the Royal Canadian Mint, and the Perth Mint.

Goldco also offers platinum and palladium for savers who want them. Still, the firm leans hardest on gold and silver, and most of its educational material centers on those two metals. For someone who wants a clear, curated menu rather than endless choices, that focus is a strength.

Platinum and Palladium Options Through Lear

Lear Capital treats all four metals as core offerings. Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium each get equal billing in its inventory of IRS-approved bullion bars and coins.

Spreading holdings across four metals rather than two gives some savers extra peace of mind. Platinum and palladium move differently than gold, which can soften the swings in a metals holding. If that kind of variety appeals to you, Lear makes it easy to act on.

Opening an Account: Phone Calls, Paperwork, and Timelines

Setting up a precious metals IRA involves a custodian, a depository, and a rollover from your existing account. Both companies handle most of the heavy lifting, though the experience differs in small ways.

Goldco’s Rollover Process Step by Step

Goldco markets a one-day IRA setup and handles most paperwork for you. The flow looks like this:

1. Request the free gold and silver information kit.
2. Speak with a precious metals specialist about your goals.
3. Open the IRA and fund it through a rollover or transfer.
4. Select your gold or silver coins or bars.
5. Goldco arranges secure storage at an IRS-approved depository.

The whole rollover typically wraps within a few business days once your current custodian releases the funds. Goldco’s specialists stay involved through each step, which first-time buyers tend to appreciate.

Lear’s Personal Account Rep Approach (No Online Setup)

Lear assigns a dedicated account representative who walks you through the process by phone. The application takes about 10 minutes, and accounts often open within 24 hours.

Funding a rollover usually takes up to five business days. Your rep coordinates the transfer, helps you pick coins or bars, and arranges insured shipping to the depository.

The one limit: you cannot complete a purchase entirely online. Final pricing and orders require a phone call. Some reviewers find this frustrating, while others see it as a chance to confirm details before money moves.

Selling Back Your Metals When Retirement Arrives

Buying metals is easy. The real test comes years later when you want to sell. A weak buyback policy can trap you with metals nobody wants to repurchase at a fair price.

Goldco’s Highest-Price Buyback Promise

Goldco offers a buyback program with zero fees and a guarantee to pay the highest price. When you decide to liquidate, the company repurchases your metals directly, sparing you the hunt for an outside buyer.

That promise removes a real worry. Knowing a clear exit exists before you ever buy makes the whole arrangement easier to live with.

Lear’s No-Fee Buyback and 24-Hour Cancellation Window

Lear also runs a no-fee buyback, repurchasing your metals in part or in full without a liquidation charge. The firm coordinates the sale through your account rep.

On top of that, Lear’s 24-hour cancellation window, born from its 2022 settlement, lets you reverse a purchase within a day if you have second thoughts. That safety net is rare in this business and worth noting.

What Real Customers Say on Independent Review Sites

Marketing copy tells you what a company wants you to hear. Customer reviews tell you what actually happened. Here is how both firms score on the major platforms, current as of June 2026.

BBB Ratings and Complaint Records for Both Firms

Both companies hold A+ ratings from the Better Business Bureau. Goldco has been BBB accredited since 2011, and Lear since 1997.

• Goldco: A+ rating, roughly 4.81 stars across about 1,673 BBB reviews.
• Lear Capital: A+ rating, around 4.75 stars, with only 28 complaints closed in the last three years.

A low complaint count over a long period signals a company that resolves problems rather than ignoring them. Both clear that bar.

Trustpilot Scores Compared

Trustpilot draws large review volumes for both firms, which makes its scores meaningful.

• Goldco: 4.4 out of 5 across about 1,785 reviews.
• Lear Capital: 4.7 out of 5 across more than 3,137 reviews.

Lear edges ahead here on both score and volume. These are some of the most-reviewed gold IRA companies that many investors choose to compare, so the sample sizes carry weight.

ConsumerAffairs and Google Reviews

The pattern holds across other platforms.

• Goldco: 4.6 on ConsumerAffairs (about 1,795 reviews), 4.8 on Google (around 3,552 reviews).
• Lear Capital: 4.8 on ConsumerAffairs (about 1,627 reviews, tagged “Best Overall”), 4.7 on Google (around 636 reviews).

Goldco’s Google review count is far larger, which speaks to its volume of business. Lear’s ConsumerAffairs standing is the standout.

Business Consumer Alliance and TrustLink Ratings

Both firms earn top marks from the Business Consumer Alliance.

• Goldco: Triple A rating.
• Lear Capital: AAA rating as a charter member.

These advocacy-group ratings reinforce what the review platforms show. Neither company carries a pattern of unresolved trouble.

Celebrity Endorsements: Helpful Signal or Marketing Noise?

Goldco features Sean Hannity, Lara Trump, and Donald Trump Jr.. Lear leans on Glenn Beck and the late Judge Napolitano. Both paid for these endorsements, which is standard practice in this industry.

Here is the honest take: a celebrity endorsement tells you a company has a marketing budget, nothing more. It says nothing about fees, service quality, or how you will be treated.

Use endorsements as a reminder that a brand is established, then ignore them and study the fee schedules and reviews. That is where the real answers live.

If you want the full picture, discover what our Goldco review reveals about service quality beyond the famous faces.

Where Goldco Falls Short, and Where Lear Does Too

No company is perfect, and any review that pretends otherwise is not worth reading. Here are the honest drawbacks of each.

Goldco’s Drawbacks

The biggest hurdle is the $25,000 minimum, which shuts out savers with smaller balances. That is more than double Lear’s entry point.

Goldco also keeps most of its fee details off its website, meaning you have to call a precious metals specialist to learn exact costs.

Some customers report premium pricing on specialty coins compared with local dealers. None of this makes Goldco a poor choice, but the high bar and quiet pricing are worth knowing going in.

Lear’s Drawbacks

The 2022 New York settlement is the obvious one, and while Lear reformed its practices, the history is part of the record. The findings from our detailed Lear Capital review cover how the firm changed afterward.

The other limit is the no-online-ordering rule, which forces every purchase through a phone call. A few buyers also report communication delays during liquidation or paperwork mix-ups with third-party depositories, though management usually resolves these quickly.

Matching the Right Company to Your Situation

The best company depends entirely on your numbers and your preferences. Here is a straight read on who fits where.

Go With Goldco If…

• You have $25,000 or more ready to roll over from a 401(k) or IRA.
• You value hands-on service and education over the lowest possible price.
• You want a strong, fee-free buyback promise locked in before you buy.

Goldco rewards savers who prioritize service and a smooth experience.

Go With Lear Capital If…

• Your starting balance falls between $10,000 and $25,000.
• You want to see the full fee schedule before you commit.
• You want platinum or palladium alongside gold and silver.

Lear rewards savers who put transparency and a lower entry point first.

When Neither One Fits

• You have less than $10,000 to start, which falls below both minimums.
• You want to buy small amounts repeatedly rather than a single larger purchase.
• You prefer a fully online checkout with no phone call required.

In those cases, a different dealer with a lower threshold may serve you better. FINRA offers free guidance on vetting any precious metals seller before you commit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Does Lear Capital or Goldco Have a Lower Minimum Investment for a Precious Metals IRA?

Lear Capital has the lower minimum at $10,000, compared with Goldco’s $25,000. That gap makes Lear reachable for savers with smaller balances, while Goldco targets those rolling over larger sums.

Q2. Has Lear Capital Ever Faced Legal Action, and Does It Still Matter Today?

Yes. Lear settled with the New York Attorney General for $6 million in 2022 over hidden commissions. The company since reformed its disclosure practices, added a 24-hour cancellation window, and now publishes its fees. The history matters, but the reforms address the original problem directly.

Q3. Which Company Offers a Better Buyback Program When I’m Ready to Sell?

Both run no-fee buyback programs. Goldco adds a highest-price guarantee, while Lear pairs its buyback with a 24-hour cancellation window. Both let you sell without a liquidation charge, so the edge is slim.

Q4. Can I Hold Platinum or Palladium in My IRA With Goldco or Lear Capital?

Both firms offer all four metals: gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Lear treats platinum and palladium as core offerings, while Goldco leans more toward gold and silver in its marketing.

Q5. How Long Does an IRA Rollover Take With Goldco Compared to Lear Capital?

Both move at similar speeds. Goldco advertises a one-day account setup, and Lear opens accounts within 24 hours.

The funding step, the rollover itself, usually takes up to five business days for either company once your current custodian releases the money.

Conclusion

Goldco and Lear Capital both earn their place among the better-known precious metals companies. Goldco fits savers with $25,000 or more who want polished service, strong reviews, and a buyback promise that takes the worry out of selling later.

Lear Capital fits savers who want a lower $10,000 entry, a fee schedule posted in the open, and four metals to choose from. Lear’s 2022 settlement is real, yet the reforms that followed made it a more transparent firm.

Match your balance and your metal preferences to the right company, ask both for the spread before you buy, and you will choose well.