Investing in precious metals can be a wise decision for diversifying your portfolio and protecting your wealth. However, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose a reliable dealer to purchase from.
APMEX and JM Bullion are two of the most well-known and respected names in the precious metals industry. While both offer a range of products and services, new investors often wonder which one is the better choice.
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at APMEX and JM Bullion and compare their prices, selection, reputation, and more to help you make an informed decision about where to invest.
Overview
What is APMEX?
APMEX stands for “American Precious Metals Exchange,” which is a leading online retailer of precious metals such as platinum, gold, silver, and palladium.
APMEX offers a wide range of products to customers worldwide, including SD bullion gold coins and bars, numismatic silver coins, and other precious metal items such as jewelry and watches.
They were founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. The company is known for its large selection, competitive prices, and exceptional customer service.
What is JM Bullion?
JM Bullion is an online gold dealer of precious metals that specializes in selling platinum, gold, silver, and palladium products to investors and collectors. JM Bullion was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, USA.
The company offers a wide range of bullion products, including bars, rounds, and gold coins, from both government and private mints around the world.
JM Bullion is also an online gold dealer known for its competitive prices and exceptional customer service. It has become one of the largest online precious metal dealers in the United States.
The company is committed to providing its customers with a safe and secure shopping experience and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.
Products
APMEX Products
APMEX offers a wide range of products related to precious metals, including platinum, gold, silver, and palladium. The following are some of the products that APMEX offers:
- Bullion Coins: APMEX is a reputable company that offers a wide range of silver bullion coins, which are coins made from precious metals that are valued based on their metal content. These gold coins are typically minted by government mints around the world, such as the American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, or Australian Kangaroo.
- Bullion Bars: APMEX offers a variety of gold-silver bullion bars, which are gold bars made from precious metals that are valued based on their weight and metal content. These bars come in various sizes and weights, and they are typically made by private mints around the world.
- Numismatic Coins: APMEX also offers numismatic coins, which are gold coins that are valued based on their rarity, historical significance, and condition. These coins can be valuable collectors’ items and can include ancient coins, rare coins, and commemorative coins.
- Jewelry and Watches: APMEX offers a selection of jewelry and watches made from precious metals, including gold, palladium, silver, and platinum products. These items can include rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and watches.
- Collectibles: APMEX also offers a variety of collectibles related to precious metals, including historical artifacts, paper currency, and other unique items related to precious metals.
APMEX is known for its large selection of products, competitive pricing, and exceptional customer service. The company also provides customers with educational resources to help them make informed decisions about investing in precious metals, including market updates, articles, and tutorials.
Related Reading: Does Apmex Offer a Gold IRA?
JM Bullion Products
JM Bullion offers a variety of precious metal products, including coins, bars, and rounds. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular precious metals offered by JM Bullion:
- Coins: JM Bullion offers a wide variety of coins, including American Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, South African Krugerrands, Chinese Pandas, Australian Kangaroos, and more. These coins are often made from 99.9% or 99.99% pure gold, silver, platinum, or palladium and are valued based on their weight and purity.
- Bars: JM Bullion offers a range of bars in various sizes and weights, from 1 oz to 100 oz. These bars are often made from 99.9% or 99.99% pure gold, silver, platinum, or palladium and are valued based on their weight and purity. JM Bullion offers bars from well-known mints such as PAMP Suisse, Credit Suisse, and Valcambi Suisse, among others.
- Rounds: JM Bullion also offers a variety of rounds, which are similar to coins but are not considered legal tender. These rounds are often made from 99.9% or 99.99% pure gold, silver, platinum, or palladium and feature a variety of designs, including historical figures, animals, and landscapes.
- IRA-eligible products: JM Bullion also offers a selection of products that are eligible for investment through an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). These gold IRAs meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and are typically coins or bars made from 99.9% or 99.99% pure gold, silver, platinum, or palladium.
Customer Reviews: What Others Are Saying
APMEX
Here are some highlights of what customers are saying about APMEX:
- APMEX has a strong reputation for providing high-quality products, excellent customer service, and fast and secure shipping.
- Customers appreciate the wide variety of products offered by APMEX, including coins, bars, rounds, and IRA-eligible products.
- The company’s website is frequently praised for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive product descriptions and images.
- Many customers have become repeat buyers and have recommended APMEX to others, which is a testament to the company’s commitment to providing a positive buying gold experience.
- Customers also appreciate APMEX’s dedication to transparency, including providing live market pricing for precious metals and a buyback program for certain products.
Overall, customers have expressed high levels of satisfaction with their experiences with APMEX, making it a popular choice for those looking to invest in precious metals.
JM Bullion
Here are some highlights of what customers are saying about JM Bullion:
- JM Bullion consistently receives high praise from customers for their quality products, competitive pricing, the fast and secure shipping, and exceptional customer service.
- Many customers have become repeat buyers and have recommended JM Bullion to others, which is a testament to the company’s commitment to providing a positive buying experience.
- Customers appreciate the variety of products offered by JM Bullion, including coins, bars, rounds, and IRA-eligible products, and the ease of the ordering process.
- The company’s dedication to transparency and providing detailed product descriptions and images on its website is also frequently mentioned as a positive aspect of its service.
Overall, customers have expressed high levels of satisfaction with their experiences with JM Bullion, making it a popular choice for those looking to invest in precious metals.
Pros & Cons
APMEX Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Wide selection of products: APMEX offers a large variety of precious metal products, including SD bullion coins, bars, numismatic coins, jewelry, and collectibles.
- Competitive pricing: APMEX is known for its competitive pricing on precious metal products, with prices that are often lower than other retailers.
- Exceptional customer service: APMEX has a knowledgeable and helpful customer service team that can assist customers with questions about products, orders, and other issues.
- Educational resources: APMEX provides educational resources on its website to help customers make informed decisions about investing in precious metals.
- Secure packaging: APMEX uses secure and discreet packaging to protect precious metal products during shipping.
Cons:
- Shipping costs: Shipping costs can be expensive for small orders, and some customers have reported issues with delayed or lost shipments.
- Minimum money order requirements: APMEX has a minimum order requirement for some products, which can be a barrier for some customers who want to make small purchases.
- Limited payment options: APMEX accepts only a few payment methods, including credit and debit card, wire transfer, and paper checks, which may be inconvenient for some customers.
- Potential for counterfeit physical gold and silver products: As with any precious metal retailer, there is a risk of buying gold counterfeit products. Customers should take precautions to ensure they are purchasing precious metals and other authentic products.
- Market fluctuations: The value of precious metals can fluctuate rapidly based on market conditions, which can affect the value of investments made through APMEX.
JM Bullion Pros and Cons
Pros:
- High-quality products: JM Bullion is an online gold dealer known for offering a wide variety of high-quality precious metals products, including coins, bars, rounds, and IRA-eligible products.
- Competitive pricing: JM Bullion offers competitive pricing on their products, which can be especially appealing to investors looking to make large purchases.
- Fast and secure shipping: JM Bullion provides fast and secure shipping on all orders, ensuring that customers receive their products in a timely and safe manner.
- Exceptional customer service: JM Bullion has a strong reputation for providing exceptional customer service, including answering questions, addressing concerns, and providing assistance with orders.
- User-friendly website: JM Bullion’s website is easy to navigate and offers detailed product descriptions and images, making it easy for customers to find and purchase the gold products they need.
Cons:
- Limited payment options: JM Bullion only accepts a limited number of payment options, including credit card payments, bank wire transfers, and paper checks, which may not be convenient for all customers.
- No international shipping: JM Bullion only ships within the United States, which may be a drawback for international customers looking to purchase precious metals.
- Possible delays: Although JM Bullion strives to provide fast and secure shipping, there may be delays due to factors such as product availability, weather conditions, or shipping carrier issues.
How to Choose a Reliable Online Gold Dealer?
Choosing a reliable online gold dealer is important to ensure that you are buying genuine products at the lowest prices. Here are some tips to help you choose a reliable online gold and silver dealer:
- Check the dealer’s reputation: Look for reviews and ratings from independent sources, such as the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, and Google Reviews. Multiple sellers will have positive reviews from satisfied customers.
- Verify the dealer’s credentials: Make sure the dealer is licensed and registered with the relevant regulatory authorities, such as the U.S. Mint or the Professional Coin Grading Service.
- Check the dealer’s inventory: A reliable dealer will have a wide selection of genuine gold and silver products from reputable mints and manufacturers.
- Compare prices: Compare prices from other dealers to ensure you are getting the best price for your gold and silver products.
- Look for transparent pricing: A reliable dealer will provide transparent pricing, with clear information about premiums, fees, and other charges.
- Check shipping and delivery options: Look for a dealer that offers secure and insured shipping with the tracking information provided.
- Check customer service options: Look for a dealer that offers knowledgeable and helpful customer service, with multiple ways to contact them, such as phone, email, or chat.
- Look for educational resources: A reliable dealer will provide educational resources, such as market updates and tutorials, to help customers make informed decisions about investing in gold.
By following these tips, you can choose a reliable online gold dealer that you can trust to provide genuine products at a fair price, with great customer service and secure shipping options.
APMEX versus JM Bullion: Which is Right for You?
APMEX and JM Bullion are both well-known online retailers of precious metal products, including platinum, gold, silver, and palladium. While both companies offer similar products and services, some key differences may make one more suitable for your needs. Here is a detailed comparison of APMEX and JM Bullion:
Product Selection:
APMEX offers a wider selection of products, including numismatic coins, jewelry, and collectibles, while JM Bullion focuses mainly on bullion coins and bars. If you are interested in rare or collectible coins, APMEX may be the better choice, while JM Bullion may be the better choice if you are looking for a more straightforward investment in bullion products.
Pricing:
Both APMEX and JM Bullion offer competitive pricing on their products, but prices can vary depending on the product and the market conditions. It’s important to compare prices and premiums before making a purchase, as even small differences in price can add up over time.
Shipping and Delivery:
Both APMEX and JM Bullion offer secure and insured shipping, with tracking information provided. However, APMEX may be a better choice for customers who want faster shipping options, as they offer expedited shipping for an additional fee.
Customer Service:
Both APMEX and JM Bullion have a knowledgeable and helpful customer service team that can assist customers with questions about products, orders, and other issues. However, APMEX may be a better choice for customers who want a more personalized customer service experience, as they offer dedicated account managers for larger orders.
Educational Resources:
Both APMEX and JM Bullion provide educational resources on their websites to help customers make informed decisions about investing in precious metals. However, APMEX may be a better choice for customers who want a more extensive library of educational resources, including market updates and tutorials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are precious metals?
Precious metals are rare and valuable metals that are used for investment and industrial purposes. The most popular precious metals for investment are platinum, gold, silver, and palladium.
Q: Why should I invest in precious metals?
Investing in precious metals can be a way to diversify your portfolio, hedge against inflation, and protect your wealth during economic uncertainty.
Q: How do I buy precious metals?
You can buy precious metals from online dealers, local coin shops, or through investment vehicles like exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds.
Q: What types of precious metal products are available?
There are many types of precious metal products available, including bullion coins and bars, numismatic coins, jewelry, and collectibles.
Q: How do I know if a precious metal product is genuine?
To ensure that a precious metal product is genuine, you should buy from a reputable dealer, verify the product’s authenticity with a third-party grading service, and look for clear markings on the product indicating its weight, purity, and manufacturer.
Q: How do I store my precious metals?
You can store your precious metals at home in a safe or with a professional storage company. If you choose to store your metals at home, make sure to take the necessary security precautions.
Q: How do I sell my precious metals?
You can sell your precious metals back to a dealer or through an online marketplace. Make sure to research prices and premiums before selling to ensure that you get a fair price.
Q: Are there tax implications to investing in precious metals?
Yes, there are tax implications to investing in precious metals, including capital gains taxes and sales taxes. Make sure to consult with a tax professional to understand how investing in precious metals may affect your tax situation.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, both APMEX and JM Bullion have solid reputation. They are reputable and reliable online retailers of precious metal products with similar product offerings and pricing.
However, APMEX may be a better choice for customers who want a wider selection of products, faster shipping options, personalized customer service, and extensive educational resources.
JM Bullion may be a better choice for customers who are primarily interested in investing in bullion coins and bars, with competitive pricing and secure shipping options.
Ultimately, the choice between APMEX and JM Bullion will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is an Entrepreneur who has covered retirement investing since 2012. He's also a published author, and his views on investing have been featured in USA Today, Tech Times, The Huffington Post, Nasdaq, and many more.
