Custodian hunt for my Gold IRA - anyone dealt with Equity
Okay, so I've been with the same gold custodian for my Gold IRA since I rolled over my old 403b back after 2008 – can you believe it's been that long? Remember how scary things felt then? That’s what got me into gold, and honestly, it’s given me peace of mind through a lot of ups and downs. My current custodian has been... fine. Not bad, not great, just fine. But their fees have gradually crept up, and honestly, the customer service feels a little impersonal these days. Call me old-fashioned, but when you're talking about a significant chunk of your retirement savings (I’ve got about $180k in there, mostly gold eagles and some silver rounds), you want to feel a bit more, I don't know, valued?
I'm exploring options to switch custodians – not just based on fees, though that's a big part of it. I'm also looking for better online access and responsive support. I'm here in Phoenix, so I don't need a local branch, but someone easy to reach by phone or email would be fantastic. I've been doing some research, and Equity Trust Company and Preferred Trust Company keep popping up as big players in the Gold IRA space. Has anyone here had direct experience with either of them for their precious metals IRA? What were the pros and cons?
Specifically, I'm curious about annual fees (storage, admin, etc.) – are they transparent or are there hidden charges? How's their process for buying/selling within the IRA? And the big one: customer service. As a retired teacher, I appreciate clear communication and not being made to feel like I’m bothering them. My current setup feels like I’m just a number, and I really want to avoid that again. Any insights, warnings, or glowing recommendations would be hugely appreciated!