Hard Assets Alliance Reviews – Uncut and Raw

By Tim Schmidt - UPDATED: September 10, 2024

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Ever wonder how to protect your wealth in uncertain times? You’re not alone. The answer might be simpler than you think: hard assets. In this world of volatile markets, it’s crucial to understand the value of tangible investments.

Welcome to a deep dive into the realm of the Hard Assets Alliance. We’ll explore how this unique platform can help safeguard your finances and provide a sturdy foundation for your investment portfolio.

So, buckle up! It’s time to navigate the world of gold, silver, and other precious metals. With a little insight and guidance, you could be on your way to financial security. Let’s get started, shall we?

The gold hard assets alliance offers a diverse selection of gold products, including various weights of gold bars and different types of gold coins, helping investors diversify their portfolios.

>> IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT INVESTING IN GOLD:

I urge you to dive right into my report on the best gold IRA account providers.

I’ve spent over a decade in this space and one stands out as the premier gold investment firm.

See which one it was, and if Hard Assets Alliance reviews were good enough for them to make my list.  Otherwise, carry on for my full Hard Assets Alliance consumer report.

About Hard Assets Alliance

Overview of the Company

Hard Assets Alliance is a leading precious metals investment company that provides a secure and accessible platform for individuals to buy, sell, and manage their precious metals assets. Established in 2010, the company has built a reputation for its commitment to transparency, customer service, and competitive pricing. With a team of experienced professionals and a robust online platform, Hard Assets Alliance has become a trusted name in the precious metals industry.

Whether you’re looking to invest in physical gold, silver coins, or other precious metals, Hard Assets Alliance offers a comprehensive suite of products and services tailored to meet the diverse needs of investors. Their platform is designed to make precious metals investing straightforward and efficient, ensuring that both novice and seasoned investors can navigate the precious metals market with ease.

Mission and Values

At Hard Assets Alliance, our mission is to empower individuals to take control of their financial future by providing a secure and accessible platform for precious metals investing. We believe in the importance of diversifying one’s portfolio with hard assets, and we are committed to making this process easy and affordable for everyone. Our values include transparency, customer service, and a commitment to excellence in everything we do.

Transparency is at the heart of our operations, ensuring that our customers have all the information they need to make informed investment decisions. Our dedication to customer service means that we are always here to support our clients, offering personalized assistance and guidance. Lastly, our commitment to excellence drives us to continuously improve our platform and services, ensuring that we remain a leader in the precious metals investment industry.

Hard Assets Alliance Products

Let’s dive into the four principal products of Hard Assets Alliance. As one of the reputable precious metals companies, Hard Assets Alliance offers gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, each providing diverse opportunities for investors.

Gold

Hard Assets Alliance offers an extensive range of gold products that are ideal for diversifying an investment portfolio. Here you'll discover an array of physical gold coins and bars, such as American Eagle coins, Canadian Maple Leaf coins, and 1-ounce gold bars—each one well-suited to distinct investment goals.

Additionally, Hard Assets Alliance caters to retirement account holders with their IRA-approved gold bars and coins.

Moreover, the platform presents an assortment of gold-backed securities for those not fussed about physically owning the asset but keen on potential exposure to price movements. With offerings like ETFs, mutual funds, certificates, and gold exchange-traded notes, Hard Assets Alliance ensures an inclusive investment environment.

Crucially, they don't leave you to navigate these decisions alone. A comprehensive collection of educational resources is available to equip investors like you with insightful knowledge on all facets of gold investment.

Silver

For silver enthusiasts, Hard Assets Alliance introduces a broad selection of products to complement your investment portfolio. Silver is an attractive asset, given its affordability and simultaneously providing potential for stability and growth.

Among the plethora of options to invest in silver are silver coins, bars, rounds, and bullion. Each of these offers unique features. Examples of silver coins include American Silver Eagles, Canadian Silver Maple Leafs, and Australian Silver Kangaroos.

Silver bars typically contain 1,000 ounces of silver each, allowing large-scale investment conveniently. On the other hand, silver rounds cater to the requirements of both investors and collectors, with various sizes and designs from generic to themed.

Silver bullion is an excellent choice for bulk silver ownership without the premiums associated with coins. Rest assured, Hard Assets Alliance offers all these silver products at competitive prices, geared to help you make informed investment decisions.

Platinum

Platinum is another investment option at Hard Assets Alliance. For around $1,105 per ounce, you can purchase platinum up to 0.995% purity. Bear in mind though that platinum is available in ounce quantities and not in monetary form.

Palladium

Finally, there's palladium. Although palladium coins are not available, the metal itself is an enticing investment due to its growing demand. This is attributed to its application in catalytic converters for fuel-powered vehicles. An ounce of palladium is averagely priced around $2,430.

In essence, the Hard Assets Alliance has finely curated a product range to meet the diverse needs and preferences of precious metal investors, providing avenues for diversification, security, and potential growth.

Account Types With Hard Assets Alliance

Following the introduction to what Hard Assets Alliance is and what it aims to serve, I'll be exploring the different account types offered by the platform. Hard Assets Alliance recognizes that investors have varied and unique preferences. Hence, they have designed four unique types of accounts to help cater to broad investor needs.

The four types of accounts are:

1. SmartMetals Account

2. MetalStream Account

3. IRA Account

4. Joint Account

SmartMetals Account

The SmartMetals Account is ideal for investors looking to invest in precious metals directly. This account gives investors the freedom to buy, sell, and store precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Notably, the SmartMetals account comes with easy-to-use features, competitive pricing, and top-notch security. This allows investors to manage their precious metals investments seamlessly.

MetalStream Account

For investors who prefer the gradual accumulation of precious metal assets over time, Hard Assets Alliance offers the MetalStream account. This account lets you invest a fixed amount every month, which is used to buy precious metals at the prevailing market rates. It's indeed a great option for those who favor a disciplined, dollar-cost-averaging approach to investing.

IRA Account

Recognizing the need for precious metals in retirement planning, Hard Assets Alliance presents a Precious Metals IRA. With this account, one can invest in eligible gold, silver, and other precious metals, allowing investors to hold tangible assets within a retirement account. This could potentially serve as a solid hedge against inflation in their retirement years.

Joint Account

For those looking to co-own an investment account with a spouse or business partner, there's the Joint account. This can make for a practical choice for couples or business partners who wish to combine resources to invest in precious metals.

In my opinion, Hard Assets Alliance's diverse account types offer a unique approach to investing in precious metals, opening up opportunities for different types of investors. Whether you're a regular investor, a retiree, or someone who likes to invest with a partner, there's an account here designed just for you. Together with its commitment to education and highly secure, easy-to-use platform, Hard Assets Alliance stands out as a multi-faceted tool for precious metal investments.

Advantages of Investing Through Hard Assets Alliance

As we delve further into the specifics of the Hard Assets Alliance (HAA), we uncover a wealth of benefits for investors. From its robust foundation to the authenticity of its precious metals and the simplicity of its platform, HAA presents several compelling reasons for investors to consider.

Powered by GBI

The engine that powers the Hard Assets Alliance is Gold Bullion International (GBI), a trusted name in the wealth management industry. With its origins dating back to 2009, GBI has a track record of catering to a diverse range of customers with varying investment needs. What this means for investors is, HAA's platform rides on a reputable system, instilling a heightened sense of reliability and comfort.

Genuine Precious Metals Investments

HAA scores big when it comes to the authenticity of its offerings. Unlike many gold IRA providers who often deal with legal paperwork more than the actual asset, HAA ensures you gain access to real, physical precious metals. For those who wish to tangibly hold their wealth, HAA is an ideal choice. They not only make it possible for you to keep your investment at home, delivering the metals right at your doorsteps but also offer secure vault storage options. This way, you truly own the metal while benefiting from the safety of professional storage.

Easy and Quick Setup

HAA's platform is built on the SmartMetals interface, which is a patented system credited for its user-friendliness. The platform eliminates any complexity involved in buying or selling precious metals, making it a breeze for investors of all experience levels. Accessing their vault storage is equally straightforward. This ease of use allows you to focus on your investment strategy, rather than technical hurdles, rendering HAA an apt choice for those seeking a hassle-free precious metals investment experience.

Security and Asset Protection

At Hard Assets Alliance, we take the security and protection of our customers’ assets very seriously. We understand that investing in precious metals is a significant decision, and we want to ensure that our customers feel confident and secure in their investment choices. Here are some of the measures we take to protect our customers’ assets:

• Secure Storage: We offer secure storage options for our customers’ precious metals, including domestic and international storage solutions. Our storage facilities are fully insured and protected by state-of-the-art security systems. Whether you choose to store your assets in New York, Zurich, or any of our other global locations, you can rest assured that your investment is safe.

• Insurance: We provide comprehensive insurance coverage for our customers’ precious metals, protecting against loss, theft, and damage. This insurance ensures that your investment is safeguarded, giving you peace of mind.

• Compliance: We are fully compliant with all relevant regulations and laws, ensuring that our customers’ assets are protected and secure. Our adherence to regulatory standards reflects our commitment to maintaining the highest levels of integrity and trust.

• Customer Support: Our customer support team is available to assist with any questions or concerns our customers may have, providing personalized support and guidance throughout the investment process. Whether you need help with account setup, storage options, or any other aspect of your investment, our team is here to help.

By choosing Hard Assets Alliance, our customers can rest assured that their precious metals assets are secure and protected, allowing them to focus on their investment goals and objectives. Our commitment to security and asset protection is just one of the many reasons why Hard Assets Alliance stands out in the precious metals investment industry.

Common Complaints About Hard Assets Alliance

Not every product is perfect, and Hard Assets Alliance is no exception. Despite its standout features, it has its share of grievances from users. Here's a detailed look at some of the common complaints associated with Hard Assets Alliance.

Limited Educational Resources

Even though Hard Assets Alliance offers an extensive range of precious metals products and services, they could improve in terms of educational support. It strikes me how they have yet to fully leverage the potential of instructional resources to guide their investors better. I feel the platform would significantly benefit from a broader range of articles, webinars, or guidelines addressing vital topics like market trends, portfolio diversification strategies, and risk management techniques. Such enhancements could not only assist investors in making well-informed decisions but also cement Hard Assets Alliance's role as a powerhouse in precious metals investment.

Overcomplex Processes

Despite the partnered expert team managing IRAs at Hard Assets Alliance, one valid criticism I've observed concerns the company's overdependence on external systems. It appears to be quite common for them to outsource much of their critical operations. This outsourcing creates a set of interconnected processes that might confuse the users and make the identification of responsibility tricky should something go wrong. It can be quite daunting for investors to work with several entities pooled from different areas.

Higher Than Expected Costs

Another drawback I've noticed from customer feedback is the potentially misleading pricing. At first glance, Hard Assets Alliance could be mistaken for one of the most affordable IRA providers. However, additional charges, such as the shipping and handling fees, might take users by surprise. I believe the company should strive for greater transparency regarding their fees, thereby providing their customers with a clear expectation of the costs involved.

Customer Support Issues

Although the Hard Assets Alliance customer service team has a reputation for providing consistent customer support, it's not without its faults. As per a review, I came across, it seems they flawlessly attend to all your initial queries but may stumble a bit as the journey progresses. The customer support experience could be improved to foster a more satisfying, enduring investor relationship.

Pricing Overview

Diving straight into the pricing details of Hard Assets Alliance, I find that the platform has a relatively straightforward pricing structure that's based on a sliding scale. It starts off with a relatively high initiation fee of $35 for domestic accounts and $55 for foreign accounts. Recurring yearly maintenance costs are another thing to consider, which is $100 for accounts with a balance below $50,000, and $150 for those above it.

Transactions on the platform incurred fees ranging from 0.5% for large trades (>$1,000,000) to a maximum of 2.75% for smaller trades. Also, Hard Assets Alliance's transaction fees, while volumetric, are considered by some as a little higher than industry standard, especially for small trades.

Despite the seeming high costs, you are not just buying metals when you use Hard Assets Alliance. You are also buying peace of mind with their secure storage options. Globally, they offer seven vault options in Switzerland, London, Australia, New York, Salt Lake City, Singapore, and Toronto. Storage fees are another essential component to consider, with segregated vault storage costing 150 basis points ($150 per $10,000 annually), and pooled storage at a slightly lower 100 basis points ($100 per $10,000 annually).

If we are to compare Hard Assets Alliance with other platforms such as BullionVault or GoldMoney, it tends to be pricier. Certainly, Hard Assets Alliance offers more value in terms of reliable storage and security which justifies its cost to some extent. However, for the entry-level investor, the higher initiation, and maintenance fees can be discouraging.

It would be beneficial for the platform to reconsider their pricing model, paving the way for more transparency and affordability. By doing such, they may also attract a wider customer base, particularly those who are new to the investment game. Again, it's crucial for potential investors to consider not just the costs but also the tangible benefits and securities afforded by the service. The old adage "you get what you pay for" seems quite apt when discussing Hard Assets Alliance.

Storage and Shipping Options

It is not an overstatement to say that one of the most significant features Hard Assets Alliance offers is its versatile storage and shipping options. Let's dig deeper into this benefit.

The platform stands tall among its competitors, with secure storage facilities spread across seven global locations. These vaults are located in New York, Salt Lake City, Zurich, London, Sydney, Singapore, and Toronto. This broad selection provides a wealth of choices and strategical diversification for storing precious metals.

When it comes to security, you can have peace of mind. All seven vaults use first-class safety measures and are fully insured. When I had to select a vault for my assets, the platform showed clear, detailed information about each location and its safety measures. This transparency provided me with confidence in their safekeeping capabilities. The next thing I considered was the ease of access and control over my stored assets. Hard Assets Alliance makes it easy to buy and sell directly from my storage, a feature I greatly appreciate.

Now taking a step towards their shipping policy, it is another strong suit in their armory. Prompt shipping to the doorstep is available for precious metals you opt not to store with them. Their commitment to fast, secure, and insured shipping is a comfort to many, including myself.

However, their shipping limitations should not be overlooked. They do not offer international shipping, which might be a stumbling block for overseas investors.

In comparison to BullionVault or GoldMoney, the global storages, door-service shipping, and user controls Hard Asset Alliance provides been a remarkable advantage. Still, the fees attached to the storage and shipping services are a bit steep, especially for smaller investments, proving again that the platform might seem more appealing to larger investors.

Hard Assets Alliance offers impressive storage and shipping services that tend to satisfy a wide range of customers. Yet, it's important to weigh these advantages against the higher fee structure, which might be a halting point for some, particularly entry-level investors.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it. Hard Assets Alliance certainly shines when it comes to offering a secure and transparent platform for investing in hard assets. It's impressive how they provide secure storage at seven global locations and prompt shipping services. But I can't ignore the fact that their services might be a bit too pricey for small investors. Perhaps they could revisit their pricing model to accommodate a wider range of investors. It's also worth noting that the platform could do with more educational resources and a simpler process. And hey, expanding their shipping services to international locations wouldn't hurt either. All in all, Hard Assets Alliance offers a solid platform for those looking to invest in hard assets, especially if you're a large investor. But for the small fish out there, it might be worth shopping around a bit more before diving in.

What is the Hard Assets Alliance platform?

The Hard Assets Alliance platform is an investment platform that specializes in hard assets such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. It offers various investment products and account types for users interested in hard asset investments.

What are the criticisms of the Hard Assets Alliance platform?

Some criticisms of the Hard Assets Alliance platform include its lack of extensive educational resources, complex process setup, higher costs, and potentially lackluster customer support.

What does the Hard Assets Alliance platform offer for storage and shipping?

The platform provides secure storage facilities located in seven global locations. It also offers prompt shipping services but lacks options for international shipping.

What are the fees associated with the platform's storage and shipping services?

While specific fees are not disclosed in the article, it does mention that these costs may be high, particularly for smaller investments. This pricing model may make the platform more attractive to larger investors.

What suggestions are made for Hard Assets Alliance?

The article suggests that Hard Assets Alliance should consider adjusting its pricing model to attract a wider customer base, while ensuring the costs are balanced fairly with the benefits and security provided by the platform.