Goldco Review - Who It Suits and How It Compares With Augusta (2026)

Goldco is one of the best-known gold IRA companies in the U.S. Founded in 2006 by Trevor Gerszt and based in Calabasas, California, it helps customers roll retirement savings into gold and silver IRAs and also sells metals for direct ownership. Reviewers consistently report an A+ BBB rating and strong customer scores.

Its main strengths are a long track record, a streamlined rollover process, frequent bonus-silver promotions and a formal buyback program. Its main weaknesses are a reported $25,000 minimum in most reviews and limited price transparency: it doesn't publish its premiums over spot online.

Goldco at a Glance

Table: Goldco key facts, as reported by independent reviewers | | Goldco | |---|---| | Founded | 2006 | | Founder and CEO | Trevor Gerszt | | Headquarters | Calabasas, California | | Reported IRA minimum | Most often $25,000; some 2026 reports say temporarily lower | | Reported cash purchase minimum | About $10,000 | | Reported fees | About $50 setup; about $80 custodian; $100 non-segregated or $150 segregated storage | | Metals | Gold and silver focus; some sources also list platinum and palladium | | Buyback | Highest-price buyback guarantee, reported to apply after three years | | Promotions | Bonus silver on qualifying accounts | | BBB rating | A+ (reported) |

How Goldco Works

That fourth step deserves attention. Because you choose products after funding and prices aren't listed, it's important to ask for the premium over spot on each product before you buy. See gold premiums and spreads.

Fees

Goldco's account fees are in line with the industry. Reviewers commonly report a one-time setup fee of about $50, an annual custodian fee of about $80, and storage of $100 a year non-segregated or $150 segregated, for roughly $180–$230 a year in total. Fees can vary by custodian.

The bigger variable is the markup on the metal itself. Goldco doesn't publish its premiums online, and some customer reviews complain about high markups on certain coins. That's not unique to Goldco, but it means written quotes matter.

Buyback Guarantee

Goldco advertises a highest-price buyback guarantee. ConsumerAffairs reports that the company says this applies only after three years from the original purchase, and that details are in the customer agreement.

A buyback promise is useful, but the price you receive still depends on the market and the product. Premium coins can sell back well below what you paid, even under a buyback program. See how to sell a gold IRA.

Promotions

Goldco is known for bonus-silver offers on qualifying accounts, with the bonus usually scaling with the amount invested. Like all such offers, they require a funded account. The real value depends on how the bonus compares with the markup on the products you buy. See gold IRA promotions.

Ten-Year Cost Illustration

Table: Illustrative ten-year costs on a $40,000 rollover (assumptions, not quotes) | Cost | Estimate | Note | |---|---|---| | Setup | About $50 | One time | | Yearly account fees | About $180–$230 | Custodian plus storage | | Ten-year account fees | About $1,850–$2,350 | Before any waivers | | Markup on metal | Ask in writing | Usually the largest single cost |

On a $40,000 purchase, every 1 percentage point of markup costs $400. That's why we'd compare the premium over spot on identical products, such as one-ounce American Gold Eagles, before giving weight to any fee waiver or bonus.

Customer Reviews and Complaint Themes

Goldco's review scores across major platforms are strongly positive, with customers often praising its rollover specialists for handling paperwork and keeping them updated. Negative reviews tend to cluster around two themes: the size of markups on specific coins, which customers sometimes discover when they later sell, and sales follow-up that some find persistent.

Both themes are common across the industry. You can protect yourself by asking for the buyback price of each recommended product on the same day you get its purchase price. The gap between the two is the real cost of a round trip.

Pros and Cons

Goldco vs Augusta

Table: Goldco vs Augusta Precious Metals, reported figures | | Goldco | Augusta Precious Metals | |---|---|---| | Founded | 2006 | 2012 | | Reported minimum | Most often $25,000 | $50,000 | | Yearly fees | About $180–$230 | About $200–$275 | | Education | Specialist calls and guides | One-on-one web conference, lifetime support | | Buyback | Highest-price guarantee after three years (reported) | No liquidation fee described | | Promotions | Bonus silver | Fee-waiver offers reported |

If you're investing $50,000 or more and want to understand every cost before you buy, Augusta's structured process is our preference. If you're below that, Goldco is a reasonable option. Our full comparison: Augusta vs Goldco.

Who Goldco Suits

• Savers rolling over roughly $25,000 to $50,000.
• People who want a formal buyback program.
• Buyers attracted by a bonus-silver promotion, after comparing markups.

It may not suit you if you want published pricing before you fund your account, or if you'd prefer a company built around in-depth education.

Storage, RMDs and Selling

Goldco works with outside custodians and IRS-approved depositories, with segregated and non-segregated storage options reported. When you reach required minimum distribution age, you can sell metal through Goldco's buyback program or take coins in kind. Plan RMDs early so you aren't forced to sell at a poor price. See gold IRA distributions and RMDs.

Questions to Ask Goldco

• What's the premium over spot on each product you'd recommend?
• What exactly does the buyback guarantee cover, and from when?
• What are the conditions of any current silver promotion?
• Which custodian and depository will hold my account?