Scott R. Hillford
Author & Founder Gold Is Money 2
Disclaimer: Some or all of the companies reported here may provide compensation to us, at no cost to our readers. This is how we keep our reporting free for readers. Compensation and detailed analysis are what determines how companies appear on this website.
In times of market uncertainty, it's natural for investors to seek diverse investment options, with precious metals being a popular choice for those aiming to diversify their retirement accounts.
There are numerous companies available to assist you in purchasing precious metals, managing your retirement account, and securely storing your assets. One company that may come up in your search is Texas-based First Fidelity Reserve.
With over 25 years of experience in the precious metals industry, First Fidelity Reserve presents a compelling option for addressing your investment needs.
Prior reading further, it is important to acknowledge that investing your savings is a not easy. When it comes to incorporating precious metals into your investment portfolio, how can you tell which companies are reliable?
After devoting extensive time and effort, we have conducted thorough research within the precious metals industry and compiled a selection of the most trustworthy companies.
Take a moment to read our list and determine if First Fidelity Reserve has what it takes to make the list this year!
This lets you to quickly compare the leading companies in this field and select the one that aligns with your specific requirements and investment objectives.
Or
Get a FREE Gold Information Kit from our #1 recommendation, by clicking the button below:
Get the FREE Gold Kit smart investors are using to protect their retirement savings.
What Is First Fidelity Reserve?
Founded in 1988, First Fidelity Reserve is a precious metals dealer headquartered in Beaumont, Texas.
First Fidelity Reserve specializes in rare and certified US coins and their wide selection of precious metals. Their team has over fifty years of combined experience in the industry.
Through First Fidelity Reserve, you can purchase from a wide selection of gold and silver coins, bullion, rare coins, and supplies for collectors.
First Fidelity Reserve provides customers with different investing resources such as videos, market reports, articles, and other information to help them invest in precious metals. First Fidelity Reserve is also an official Bullion & Rare Coin Partner of Amac.
What Precious Metals Can You Buy with First Fidelity Reserve?
You can purchase gold and silver coins and bullion from a wide range of mints such as the US Mint, Royal Canadian Mint, the Royal Mint, Mexican Mint, Australian Mint, and select colors that First Fidelity Reserve occasionally carries.
When it comes to bullion, they offer both bars and rounds depending on your preferences. Some of their popular options include American Eagles, Canadian Maple Leaf coins, British Britannia coins, Austrian Philharmonic coins, Mexican Libertad coins, and Chinese Panda coins.
How Do You Buy from First Fidelity Reserve?
To purchase First Fidelity Reserve, you can either make a purchase online or by phone. The easiest way is to open an account online to streamline the overall buying process.
You can pay by check, money order, cashier’s check, wire, or a major credit card. If your purchase will be over $1,000, you cannot use a credit card for online purchases and have to process the order over the phone.
If you choose to pay by check, money order, cashier’s check, or wire, you get a 3.85% discount on your online order. Typically the price is locked in at the time of purchase, but with some bullion telephone orders, the price is locked in when funds are received.
Payments are typically due within 5 business days. Depending on the method of payment and whether you ordered online or by phone, your order will be shipped within 2-3 business days. At the long end, some orders are shipped within 10-15 business days.
How to Sell Precious Metals with First Fidelity Reserve?
First Fidelity Reserve buys gold, silver, platinum, and coins from customers. If you wish to sell your precious metals, you can contact them at 1-800-336-1630 to discuss the details.
They also accept trades of gold, silver, platinum, and coins to fund purchases from their company.
How Competitive are First Fidelity Reserve’s Prices?
First Fidelity Reserve locks in transaction prices at the time of purchase, except for telephone orders for bullion and special orders or larger orders, which are locked in when funds are received by the company.
This ensures that you get the price that was current at the time of your purchase, protecting you from market fluctuations. It is a good idea to compare the current price of the coins and bullion independently as well.
First Fidelity Reserve typically charges higher than the actual value to cover their fees, so if you choose to sell the coins and bullion in the short term, you may end up losing money.
Is First Fidelity Reserve Safe?
First Fidelity Reserve offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you may return it in its original packaging within 30 days of receipt for a full refund, except on special orders and bullion orders.
Pros & Cons
PROS
CONS
Storage and Fees
Storage and fees aren’t applicable directly with First Fidelity Reserve. These fees will vary depending on the depository and custodian that you’re working with for your gold IRA. Typically fees are on an annual basis, and some companies may offer different price tiers depending on the amount of precious metals being stored.
Some depositories also offer segregated storage options where your gold and other precious metals are stored away from other customers’ precious metals at an additional cost.
What is the Minimum Purchase Amount
First Fidelity Reserve has no minimum order amount, making it accessible for both small and large investors.
Customer Reviews
First Fidelity Reserve has an A+ Rating at the Better Business Bureau and has a handful of complaints from previous customers. On Google, they have 42 reviews and an overall rating of 3.7 out of 5.0 stars.
Some of the reviews talked about sales staff overly promoting certain products or directing customers to purchase certain coins. Other customers have commented that the coin pricing included a significant upcharge compared to the current value of the coins.
There were also customers commenting about the long shipping time for certain products, but this is also referenced on First Fidelity Reserve’s website that certain purchases such as bullion or large purchase amounts might have a delay of 1-2 weeks, so this is something that should be considered when placing an order.
Positive reviews for First Fidelity Reserve talk about the friendly and knowledgeable staff along with good customer service.
Overall, given the mixed reviews, it’s a good idea to be aware of both the positive and negative reviews so you can make an informed decision when purchasing from First Fidelity Reserve.
What are the Benefits of an IRA?
An IRA or Individual Retirement Account is a type of retirement account available for you to contribute to. Even if you have a 401(k) or other type of account, an IRA can be a good option to help provide for your retirement future.
The two main IRA types are a Roth and Traditional IRA, with the Roth IRA being funded by post-tax contributions. A traditional IRA is funded by pre-tax contributions. When it comes to retirement, you can take distributions from your IRA once you’ve reached the retirement age (currently 59 ½) with certain tax benefits (it’s best to talk with a qualified tax professional for your own tax situation).
The main benefit of an IRA is that it is fully yours. 401(k) plans and similar employer-sponsored plans may limit contributions, and you lose the option to contribute once you leave that particular job.
With an IRA, you can keep the same account regardless of which job you’re at and you have more freedom in choosing which company to work with for your investments. IRAs are also typically easier to setup and there are lots of resources available to help you better understand these types of retirement accounts.
IRAs can also be funded in a wide variety of ways including mutual funds, stocks, bonds, annuities, and even precious metals like gold and silver. With a Gold IRA, you work with a custodian to manage your IRA and you can purchase gold, silver, platinum, and other precious metals in the form of IRA-approved coins and bullion.
While owned by you, these assets have to be stored at an IRS-approved depository until you choose to take a distribution. You can either get the distribution in the form of your precious metals or can sell these assets for cash.
Verdict
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, First Fidelity Reserve presents a viable option for investors seeking to diversify their portfolios with precious metals. The company's longevity in the industry, coupled with its wide selection of precious metals and coins, make it an attractive choice for both novice and seasoned investors.
The ability to lock in prices at the time of purchase provides a level of protection against market volatility, which is a significant advantage in the unpredictable world of precious metals trading.
However, it's important to note that First Fidelity Reserve is not without its drawbacks. The company has faced criticism for its customer service and lack of transparency about management.
Additionally, the inability to use credit cards for online purchases exceeding $1,000 and the exclusion of bullion and special orders from the 30-day refund policy may deter some potential customers.
The mixed customer reviews highlight the importance of conducting thorough research before committing to any investment. It's crucial to understand the company's pricing structure, as well as the potential for significant upcharges on certain coins.
Furthermore, while First Fidelity Reserve does not have a minimum order amount, making it accessible to investors of all sizes, the potential for long shipping times, particularly for bullion or large purchase amounts, should be taken into account when planning your investment strategy.
In terms of retirement planning, the benefits of an IRA, particularly a Gold IRA, are clear. The freedom to choose your investments, the ability to maintain the same account regardless of job changes, and the potential tax benefits make IRAs an attractive option for many investors.
Ultimately, First Fidelity Reserve offers a range of services that can be beneficial for those looking to invest in precious metals.
However, like any investment, it's important to approach with caution, conduct thorough research, and consider seeking advice from a financial advisor to ensure it aligns with your overall investment strategy and financial goals.
Let our expertise and analysis help you before you invest your savings by reading our list of the best companies!
Or click the button below to visit First Fidelity Reserve