If you’re thinking about precious metals investment, choosing the right dealer is crucial. APMEX and SD Bullion stand out as popular options, each offering a range of precious metals, including gold, silver, and platinum.
However, they come with their own set of distinctions. In this review, we’ll delve into the features, pricing, customer service, and more of both APMEX vs SD Bullion to empower you with the information needed to make an informed investment decision.
Whether you’re a global buyer, interested in collectible coins, or seeking competitive buyback prices, understanding the strengths and nuances of each platform will guide you toward the one that aligns best with your investment goals.
Find the Best Gold IRA Company of Your State
About APMEX: The Household Name
Headquartered in Oklahoma City and previously known as the American Precious Metals Exchange, APMEX holds a prominent position in online precious metals trading, ranking among the largest internet retailers in the United States.
Since its establishment in 2000, APMEX has been led by President and Chairman Scott Thomas, alongside CEO Kenneth Lewis.
APMEX distinguishes itself by its commitment to providing a unique experience in the precious metals industry. APMEX offers a variety of benefits to its customers, including great service, high-quality products, secure storage choices, timely delivery, and other things.
The company’s customer service is also noteworthy, offering a variety of methods, including chat assistance, which is especially useful for individuals with urgent questions.
About SD Bullion: The Doctors of Gold IRA
SD Bullion has been around since 2012, and it’s an online trader for gold, silver, palladium, copper, and platinum bullion. The ‘SD’ in their name comes from ‘silver doctors,’ and the company is owned by Dr. Tyler Wall.
They’re known for offering prices below the market average, which could make them a good option for precious metals investments.
If you want to invest in precious metals at a low cost, SD Bullion is a good option. SD Bullion differentiates itself from other organizations that demand greater fees for these investments by delivering more cheap solutions.
They offer a diverse range of items, including both foreign and domestic assets such as British gold coins, making them an attractive option for investors.
SD Bullion gained a unique reputation in the precious metals business for its diverse product offering and inexpensive costs. It’s worth investigating to see if they fit with your investment objectives. Now that you’ve seen a summary of both companies, let’s compare APMEX and SD Bullion to discover which one is best for you.
Which Company is More Trusted by Investors?
To determine which company is more trusted by investors, we looked into the user reviews of both APMEX and SD Bullion.
Just like we had expected, both of them enjoy a spotless image in the market.
While in the US, both companies receive equal amounts of love and praise, internationally, APMEX has a broader image.
However, that’s not surprising because APMEX is a bigger and older brand than SD Bullion.
Both of these companies have received excellent ratings online. However, APMEX has a considerably lower rating than SD Bullion on Trustpilot.
Although the number of APMEX reviews is significantly higher (over 200,000), their average ratings turn out to be ~3/5 stars. This is a bit daunting when you compare it with the average rating of SD Bullion (4/5 stars).
Might I suggest that if you’re looking to buy bullion, you can check out our top gold investment companies.
Which Company Has the Best Features?
APMEX: Features
- AutoInvest Program: APMEX provides an AutoInvest Program, allowing investors to automate their precious metals investments for added convenience and consistent strategy execution.
- “The Bullion Card”: A unique feature offered by APMEX, “The Bullion Card” enhances transaction convenience, providing an additional layer of flexibility for users.
- Extensive Range of Metals: APMEX covers a broad spectrum of precious metals, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, catering to a diverse range of investor preferences.
- Non-Metal Accessories: In addition to traditional metals, APMEX extends its offerings to non-metal accessories, providing a comprehensive solution for investors with varied interests.
- Suitable for All Investors: APMEX is designed to be suitable for both seasoned investors and newcomers entering the world of precious metals, offering a user-friendly platform and diverse options.
SD Bullion: Features
- $2 Billion Executed Track Record: SD Bullion boasts a significant track record, having executed over $2 billion in transactions, showcasing its experience and reliability in the industry.
- Emphasis on Lowest Prices: SD Bullion is known for its commitment to providing the lowest prices on gold and silver bullion, appealing to investors looking for affordability without compromising quality.
- Quality Assurance: Collaborating with trusted mints and suppliers, SD Bullion ensures high-quality metals, maintaining a focus on delivering reliable and reputable products to its customers.
- Competitive Buyback Prices: SD Bullion stands out for offering highly competitive buyback prices, making it an attractive choice for investors looking to both buy and sell precious metals.
- Comprehensive Solution: SD Bullion provides a comprehensive solution for investors, emphasizing both competitive pricing for buying and attractive rates for selling precious metals.
APMEX vs SD Bullion Comparison:
APMEX and SD Bullion have diverse strengths that cater to different investment interests. APMEX differentiates out with new features such as the AutoInvest Program and “The Bullion Card,” which offer a comprehensive solution for both experienced and inexperienced investors.
In contrast, SD Bullion has a fantastic track record of over $2 billion in transactions, emphasizing affordability with the lowest pricing on gold and silver bullion, as well as competitive buyback rates.
Individual goals determine the choice, with APMEX appealing to those seeking novel features and a varied variety, whilst SD Bullion is preferred by investors looking for cost and a solid track record.
Which Company Has the Best Product and Services?
APMEX: Products and Services
APMEX distinguishes itself with a wide array of precious metal products, prominently featuring an extensive selection of coins. A standout feature is the Portfolio Management tool, which allows investors to track their portfolio’s daily value and set pricing alerts.
They go beyond traditional services by offering Gold and Silver IRA services, providing a comprehensive solution for investors looking to incorporate precious metals into their retirement portfolios.
The APMEX Bullion Card, offering 4% cash-back on purchases and the option for automatic investments, adds a unique dimension to their services, making APMEX a comprehensive choice for investors seeking additional features and options.
SD Bullion: Products and Services
SD Bullion offers a diverse range of precious metal products, encompassing gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and additional items such as copper.
Beyond metals, SD Bullion extends its product line to include accessories, water filters, safes/vaults, and survival food.
While SD Bullion does not directly offer IRA services, they have a recommended IRA custodian, New Direction, for clients interested in incorporating precious metals into their retirement portfolios.
SD Bullion also provides storage services for clients, with detailed fee information available on their website.
APMEX vs SD Bullion Comparison:
Comparing APMEX vs SD Bullion in terms of products and services reveals distinct offerings.
APMEX stands out for its comprehensive portfolio management tool, Gold and Silver IRA services, and the unique APMEX Bullion Card, which provides additional features beyond traditional buying and selling.
On the other hand, SD Bullion caters to a broader spectrum of needs with a diverse product line, including accessories, safes/vaults, and survival items.
Both APMEX vs SD Bullion address investor preferences in different ways – APMEX with a focus on unique tools and investment options, and SD Bullion with a broader range of products and storage services.
The choice may depend on individual priorities, whether it be advanced tools and investment options or a diverse selection of products and services.
Which Company Offers the Best Shipping?
APMEX: Pricing
APMEX maintains transparent pricing for precious metals, with a shipping fee of $9.95 applied to orders valued below $199. However, orders surpassing this amount qualify for free shipping.
Regardless of the shipping option chosen, all orders are insured for protection during transit. It’s noteworthy that a signature is required upon delivery, ensuring proof of receipt and safeguarding the package.
SD Bullion: Pricing
SD Bullion offers straightforward pricing with a flat shipping fee of $7.77 for orders below $199. On the flip side, orders exceeding $199 benefit from free shipping.
International shipments have their costs calculated during checkout, potentially including duties and taxes payable upon delivery.
All packages, whether domestic or international, require a signature for delivery, and failure to provide one may void the package’s insurance. Customers are equipped with tracking numbers to monitor their orders.
APMEX vs SD Bullion Comparison:
Comparing the pricing structures of APMEX vs SD Bullion reveals some distinctions. APMEX charges a slightly higher shipping fee of $9.95 for orders under $199 but offers free shipping on all orders exceeding this threshold.
SD Bullion, on the other hand, has a lower flat fee of $7.77 for orders below $199, with free shipping for orders above this amount. Both companies ensure the security of shipments through insurance and require signatures for delivery.
The choice between APMEX vs SD Bullion may depend on individual preferences regarding shipping costs and order values.
APMEX vs SD Bullion: Our Summary
In conclusion, both APMEX vs SD Bullion are reputable and well-established precious metals dealers, making it challenging to declare one inherently superior to the other.
APMEX stands out for offering a broader range of options, encompassing traditional metals and non-metal accessories.
Additionally, APMEX provides investors with valuable insights through the Daily Gold and Silver Market Report, aiding in informed decision-making.
On the other hand, SD Bullion offers its customers the Monthly Savings Program, allowing regular purchases of precious metals at discounted prices with flexibility in adjusting or cancelling subscriptions.
The choice between the two ultimately depends on individual preferences and specific investment needs.