GoldSilver.com Review 2025: Strong Education, Concerning Track Record
Quick Verdict
GoldSilver.com offers exceptional educational resources, but an F rating from the BBB and customer complaints about shipping delays and service issues are significant red flags. Best for education; consider other dealers for purchases.
Important Notice
GoldSilver.com holds an F rating from the Better Business Bureau and is not BBB accredited. While they maintain positive reviews on some platforms, the BBB rating reflects unresolved complaints. We recommend comparing with higher-rated alternatives before purchasing.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Founded | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Santa Monica, California |
| Founder | Mike Maloney |
| BBB Rating | F (Not Accredited) |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.5/5 (1,300+ reviews) |
| Free Shipping Minimum | $499 |
| Shipping Under $499 | $25 |
| Storage Available | Yes - Salt Lake City |
| IRA Services | Yes - Equity Trust Company |
Who Is GoldSilver.com?
GoldSilver.com was founded in 2005 by Mike Maloney, a precious metals educator known for his "Hidden Secrets of Money" documentary series. The company positions itself as an educational resource first and a dealer second, which sets it apart from pure-play retailers.
Maloney has appeared on major networks including Fox News and CNN discussing monetary policy and precious metals investing. His educational content has attracted millions of views and built a loyal following among gold and silver investors.
However, educational reputation doesn't always translate to smooth purchasing experiences. The disconnect between GoldSilver.com's brand image and its BBB rating warrants careful consideration.
Understanding the BBB F Rating
The BBB assigns ratings based on several factors including complaint history, transparency, and business practices. An F rating—the lowest possible—indicates significant concerns that potential customers should understand.
Common complaint themes in BBB filings include:
- • Shipping delays longer than quoted timeframes
- • Difficulty reaching customer service representatives
- • Strict contract terms that some customers find inflexible
- • Issues with order modifications or cancellations
It's worth noting that GoldSilver.com maintains a 4.5/5 rating on Trustpilot from over 1,300 reviews, suggesting experiences vary significantly. This mixed picture makes due diligence especially important.
Products and Selection
GoldSilver.com offers a standard range of investment-grade precious metals:
Available Products
Gold
- • American Gold Eagles
- • Canadian Gold Maple Leafs
- • Gold bars (various weights)
- • Austrian Philharmonics
Silver
- • American Silver Eagles
- • Canadian Silver Maple Leafs
- • Silver bars and rounds
- • 90% junk silver
Selection is adequate but not exceptional. Collectors seeking rare coins or extensive variety will find larger inventories at APMEX or JM Bullion.
Pricing and Premiums
GoldSilver.com's premiums tend to run higher than discount-focused competitors like SD Bullion. This is partly offset by their "Insider" program, but entry requirements are substantial.
Insider Program Requirements
To qualify for reduced Insider pricing, you must purchase either:
- • 500 oz of silver (in a single order)
- • 10 oz of gold (in a single order)
At current prices, this represents a $15,000-$27,000+ initial commitment.
For most retail buyers making typical purchases, the standard pricing may not be competitive with alternatives.
Shipping and Delivery
GoldSilver.com's shipping policy is less favorable than many competitors:
| Order Total | Shipping Cost |
|---|---|
| Under $499 | $25 |
| $499+ | Free |
The $499 free shipping threshold is significantly higher than the industry-standard $199 offered by most competitors. The $25 flat rate for smaller orders is also notably expensive compared to the $7.99-$9.95 charged elsewhere.
Shipping complaints: Multiple customer reviews cite longer-than-expected delivery times, particularly during periods of high demand. If you need fast delivery, this may not be the ideal choice.
Payment Methods
Payment options at GoldSilver.com are more limited than competitors:
Accepted
- ✓ Credit/Debit cards
- ✓ Wire transfer
- ✓ Check
- ✓ PayPal
- ✓ Cryptocurrency
Not Accepted
- ✗ ACH/eCheck
- ✗ Direct deposit
- ✗ Zelle
The lack of ACH/eCheck options is inconvenient for buyers who prefer bank transfers without wire fees.
Educational Resources
This is where GoldSilver.com genuinely excels. Mike Maloney's educational content is widely respected:
Educational Highlights
- ★ Hidden Secrets of Money: Multi-part documentary series exploring monetary history and precious metals' role
- ★ Regular market updates: Video analysis of gold/silver markets and economic trends
- ★ Beginner guides: Comprehensive articles for new precious metals investors
If you're new to precious metals investing, GoldSilver.com's free educational content is genuinely valuable—regardless of where you ultimately choose to buy.
Storage and IRA Services
GoldSilver.com offers vault storage in Salt Lake City and partners with Equity Trust Company for IRA services. However, given the customer service concerns reflected in their BBB rating, we'd recommend carefully reviewing all terms before committing to long-term storage or IRA arrangements.
They also offer a precious metals lending program where stored metals can generate returns—a unique offering, but one that adds complexity and risk.
Pros
- ✓ Outstanding educational content and resources
- ✓ Established company with 19+ year history
- ✓ Vault storage and IRA options available
- ✓ Cryptocurrency payment accepted
- ✓ Precious metals lending program (unique)
Cons
- ✗ BBB F rating - significant concern
- ✗ High free shipping threshold ($499 vs $199 standard)
- ✗ Customer service complaints about responsiveness
- ✗ Reported shipping delays
- ✗ No ACH/eCheck payment option
- ✗ Higher premiums than discount dealers
Who Might Consider GoldSilver.com?
Potentially Suitable For:
- • Investors who prioritize education and market insights
- • Large-volume buyers who qualify for Insider pricing
- • Those interested in metals lending programs
- • Fans of Mike Maloney's content
Better Alternatives Exist For:
- • Price-conscious buyers seeking low premiums
- • Those who value responsive customer service
- • Buyers making smaller purchases (under $499)
- • Anyone prioritizing BBB ratings and track record
Final Verdict: 3.2/5
GoldSilver.com presents a complicated picture. The educational content is genuinely excellent, and Mike Maloney has built a respected brand in the precious metals space. However, the BBB F rating is impossible to ignore and suggests systemic issues with customer experience.
We recommend using GoldSilver.com's educational resources freely—they're a valuable tool for any precious metals investor. But for actual purchases, consider dealers with stronger customer service track records like JM Bullion or SD Bullion.
If you do choose to purchase from GoldSilver.com, start with a smaller order to evaluate their service before making larger commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GoldSilver.com legitimate?
GoldSilver.com is a legitimate, established company founded in 2005. However, their BBB F rating indicates unresolved customer complaints. They are a real business, but customer experience has been inconsistent based on available reviews.
Why does GoldSilver.com have an F rating from the BBB?
BBB ratings reflect factors including complaint volume, response to complaints, and business practices. An F rating typically indicates unresolved complaints or patterns of customer issues. GoldSilver.com is also not BBB accredited.
What is Mike Maloney's Hidden Secrets of Money?
Hidden Secrets of Money is a free documentary series by GoldSilver.com founder Mike Maloney exploring monetary history, currency systems, and the case for precious metals investing. It's widely regarded as quality educational content regardless of where you buy metals.
Does GoldSilver.com offer free shipping?
Yes, on orders of $499 or more. Orders under $499 incur a $25 shipping fee. This threshold is significantly higher than most competitors who offer free shipping at $199.
What are better alternatives to GoldSilver.com?
For lower premiums, consider SD Bullion. For selection and service, JM Bullion and APMEX are strong choices. For international buyers, Silver Gold Bull ships globally. All maintain better BBB ratings than GoldSilver.com.