Is Orion Metal Exchange Worth It? In-Depth Review

In an era of economic uncertainty, many investors seek reliable ways to diversify retirement portfolios with precious metals through a Gold IRA.

If you're evaluating Orion Metal Exchange-established in 2017 by Sarah Sheehan-this in-depth review assesses its transparent pricing, commission-free buybacks, insured shipping, and exceptional customer service. Learn the pros, cons, and comparisons to determine if this Los Angeles-based metal exchange truly delivers value for your needs.

Key Takeaways:

• Orion Metal Exchange is a legitimate, U.S.-based dealer since 2017. It offers transparent pricing, no hidden fees, and a commission-free buyback policy for reliable precious metals investments.
• Pros include insured home delivery, secure depository storage, and dedicated IRA setup services. These help diversify retirement portfolios with physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium while providing tax benefits.
• Customer reviews are generally positive. Weigh potential drawbacks like market volatility against competitors; Orion stands out for its comprehensive services and transparency.

Is Orion Metal Exchange Legitimate and Reliable?

Orion Metal Exchange started in 2017 in Los Angeles, California. It is a BBB-accredited dealer in precious metals with strong Trustpilot ratings.

Orion sticks to IRS rules for IRA services. It makes rollovers to self-directed precious metals accounts simple, avoiding tax penalties and unlocking great tax benefits.

Orion's BBB accreditation shows its commitment to ethical business practices. Its Trustpilot rating of 4.8 out of 5 comes from more than 500 reviews. This highlights strong customer satisfaction.

All shipments come insured by Lloyd's of London. This covers up to $1 million per transaction for safe delivery to depositories with biometric locks.

Take Peter, a client who rolled over his 401(k) in 2022. He praised Orion's clear steps and secure storage at the Delaware Depository, with no hidden fees.

These features make Orion Metal Exchange dependable. They protect your retirement plans from fraud or rule-breaking issues. Worth exploring: Precious Metals IRA Custodians - A Detailed Guide

Pros of Investing with O.M.E.

Orion Metal Exchange offers great perks for precious metals investors. Transparent pricing and a fee-free buyback program build trust. They provide easy selling options in shaky markets. Those interested in retirement planning might appreciate our Gold IRA Investment Options for Retirement.

Transparent Pricing and No Hidden Fees

Orion Metal Exchange prioritizes transparency by offering real time transaction pricing for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, free from any concealed fees. This approach enables investors to make well-informed investment decisions grounded in prevailing market values.

Orion pulls real-time prices from trusted markets like COMEX (a major commodities exchange) and LBMA (London Bullion Market Association). You get spot prices without the usual 2-5% markups that many dealers add.

Competitors such as Lear Capital, APMEX, or JM Bullion often charge more to boost their profits.

For example, an investor purchasing $10,000 worth of gold through Orion would pay the precise market rate, potentially realizing savings of $500 relative to a 5% markup at another provider.

This transparency helps you time your investments better. It can boost your returns by 2-3% each year during economic ups and downs, according to a 2022 Precious Metals Association study on fees.

Commission-Free Buyback Policy

Orion's commission-free buyback program streamlines the process of selling precious metals, allowing clients to liquidate holdings in gold, silver, platinum, or palladium at competitive market rates without the imposition of brokerage fees.

Follow these steps to use the buyback policy:

1. Contact Orion with your metals details.
2. Get a quote based on current market rates.
3. Ship the metals securely to Orion.
4. Receive payment without commissions.

Orion stands out from competitors like Goldco. Goldco often charges 1-2% commissions that cut into your returns.

Selling a 1-ounce gold bar at $2,000 spot price gets you the full value minus just shipping costs. This saves $20 to $40 compared to Goldco's fees.

Cons and Potential Drawbacks

Orion Metal Exchange shines in transparency and support. Still, watch for drawbacks like annual fees, storage costs for depositories, and ups and downs in precious metals prices.

Principal challenges include:

1. Annual Storage Fees: Custodians like Equity Trust Company or STRATA Trust Company charge $100 to $200 each year for IRA-held metals.
   • Smart move: Pick home delivery to skip these costs and save big!
2. Investment Minimum: Self-directed IRAs (accounts you control for investments) usually require at least $5,000 to start.
   • Exciting option: A rollover IRA lets you move existing funds without adding new money. This makes setup easy-don't miss out!
3. Market Volatility: COMEX data shows silver prices can swing 20 to 30% in a year.
   • Smart diversification: Spread your investments into steadier options like platinum or palladium.
4. Shipping Fees: Shipping runs $50 to $100.
   • Get insurance from firms like Lloyd's of London for extra safety during transit-protect your investment!

Watch out for IRS rules in Publication 590. They set tough standards for self-directed IRAs. Stay away from banned deals to dodge fines.

Alicia Miller saved $150 a year. She rolled her 401(k) into home storage. Her returns jumped 8% in 2022.

Customer Reviews and Ratings Overview

Customers love Orion Metal Exchange. It scores 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot from over 1,000 reviews. The Better Business Bureau gives it BBB accredited status.

These scores show top-notch service in precious metals. The setup process feels simple and user-friendly.

Orion earns an A+ from the BBB. This rating points to strong ethics, per the 2023-2024 reports with no open complaints.

Trustpilot reviews back this up. 95% recommend Orion for clear prices that skip hidden fees from rivals like American Hartford Gold, Birch Gold, and Augusta Precious Metals.

Sarah Sheehan raved in her 2024 review. She set up her IRA quickly with personal help.

The rollover took under two weeks.

Buybacks wrap up in 48 hours. The online portal lets you track deals live.

Reviews highlight clear talk builds lasting trust. BBB data shows over 80% of customers return.

How Does Orion Compare to Other Dealers?

Orion beats Goldco and Augusta Precious Metals. It offers no-commission buybacks and in-house IRA setups for US folks since 2017. This helps with retirement plans.

Check top dealers on price, fees, and services. This comparison shows big differences. It helps set up a legal precious metals IRA under IRS rules like Rule 408-5 for storage.

Orion fits fee watchers in retirement plans. It offers top customer service 24/7 by phone.

Augusta Precious Metals provides strong advice for wealthy clients.

All dealers meet IRS rules. Orion's own setup speeds up audits and improves storage choices.

Try a mix: Start with Augusta's top vault storage. Then use Orion for no-fee buybacks.

What Services Do They Provide for Precious Metals?

Orion Metal Exchange offers full services for buying physical precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. You can buy directly, get insured delivery, or add them to retirement accounts easily-this option aligns well with insights from our review of the best Gold IRA companies of 2025, highlighting top providers for seamless integration.

Options for Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Palladium

Orion sells top-quality precious metals. Options include gold bars and coins, silver bullion and rounds, platinum ingots, and palladium plates.

All meet IRS rules for use in IRAs. IRAs are special retirement accounts that let you invest in metals.

The process for selecting the appropriate precious metal for your IRA is straightforward and methodical.

1. Check your goals. Pick gold for steady value in tough times, or silver for growth chances.
2. View live prices on Orion's safe site. It updates buy and sell rates right away.
3. Choose forms like 1-ounce American Silver Eagles for easy selling, or platinum bars from trusted makers.
4. Confirm it fits IRS rules for self-directed IRAs. These let you control your investments, including rollovers to new accounts.

This selection process typically requires a 15- to 30-minute consultation with Orion's advisors.

Many skip checking metal purity. Orion makes sure all pieces are at least 99.9% pure for real value.

Silver investments averaged 10% returns in 2023. Check the Silver Institute's World Silver Survey for details.

Why Consider Orion for Storage and Shipping?

Orion focuses on safety for storage and shipping. It offers insured home delivery and secure depositories to protect your metals from theft or loss.

Insured Home Delivery and Depository Storage

Orion ships safely with full insurance for home delivery and storage. It covers gold, silver, platinum, and palladium up to $1 million per shipment.

Home delivery includes discreet packaging and real-time tracking via UPS or FedEx, with shipping fees of $30 to $50 waived for orders exceeding $5,000.

Depository storage keeps metals in locked vaults using biometrics in places like California's Delaware Depository.

Pay $150 yearly. It works with IRAs via custodians like Equity Trust or STRATA Trust, following IRS rules in Publication 590.

Start with a small test: Order 1 ounce of palladium. It arrives in 3 to 5 business days.

Always pick fully insured shipping. Uninsured options risk losing your metals.

How Do They Support Retirement Diversification?

Orion handles IRA services in-house. It helps diversify retirement savings with physical metals while following IRS rules for tax benefits.

Start a self-directed precious metals IRA with these steps:

1. Contact Orion to open the account.
2. Choose a custodian for oversight.
3. Fund it via rollover or contribution (our 401k to Gold IRA Rollover Guide for Beginners covers the details).
4. Select and buy your metals.

Finish the full process in just 2-4 weeks. Don't overload on palladium. Mix in silver to keep your investments steady and balanced.

Your setup shields against rising prices like inflation. IRS rules back it up completely.

Company History and Background

Orion Metal Exchange launched in 2017. Sarah Sheehan founded it in Los Angeles, California.

It grew into a top precious metals dealer in the US. The firm helps thousands of clients stay ahead.

Orion's growth builds real trust in precious metals. Check out these key milestones:

• 2017 launch focused on clear prices to earn your trust.
• 2018 BBB accreditation shows strong ethics and quick issue fixes.
• 2020 IRA service growth via Equity Trust partnership made tax-smart investing easier.
• 2022 deal with Lloyd's of London added insurance for safe shipping of valuables.
• 2024 Trustpilot rating of 4.9/5 proves ongoing top performance.

Orion served over 5,000 clients by 2024. In 2022's wild markets, their advice helped people spread risk into gold and silver. This strengthened their spot as a go-to for safe, lasting plans.