Custodian hunt for my Gold IRA - anyone dealt with Equity Trust or STRATA?

Kenneth Parker

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Custodian hunt for my Gold IRA - anyone dealt with Equity Trust or STRATA?

kenneth_parker💎Premium (500k-1m)

about 8 hours ago

Key Takeaways

•Alright, so I’m really trying to get my ducks in a row for succession planning, and a big piece of that is making sure my Gold IRA is solid.
•My current custodian's fees have just been steadily creeping up, and their customer service lately?
•They're making it harder than it needs to be to just get a straight answer.

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Alright, so I’m really trying to get my ducks in a row for succession planning, and a big piece of that is making sure my Gold IRA is solid. My current custodian's fees have just been steadily creeping up, and their customer service lately? Forget about it. They're making it harder than it needs to be to just get a straight answer. With around $700k tied up in this account, I'm not looking to play around with subpar service.

I’m based out of Memphis, running a logistics company, and let me tell you, I appreciate efficiency. So, when I call with a question, I don't want to be on hold for 20 minutes only to get someone who sounds like they're reading from a script. I've been doing some digging and Equity Trust and STRATA Trust Company keep popping up as potential alternatives. Has anyone here had direct experience with either of them for their precious metals IRAs? What are their fee structures like for larger accounts, and more importantly, how’s their customer support when you actually need something?

I'm also curious about their integration with dealers. My current setup is a bit clunky, with a real disconnect between the custodian and where I buy metals. Ideally, I'd like something smoother. The thought of moving this much capital around isn't exactly thrilling, but the savings on fees and the peace of mind are worth it. I even took a look at that Silver vs Stocks tool the other day – always good to keep perspective on how these assets perform long-term compared to the market. But right now, my focus is nailing down the right custodian. Any insights or warnings about these two, or even other recommendations, would be hugely appreciated.

3 comments

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Best Answer▲ 8 upvotes

catherine_bell🏆Advanced (250-500k)

Ugh, I feel you on the creeping fees and declining service. It's so frustrating when something that should be straightforward becomes a headache. I actually had a similar experience a few years back with my Roth IRA custodian – not gold, but the principle is the same. They just started nickel-and-diming me for everything, and getting a human on the phone was a nightmare.

I ended up switching to a smaller, independent trust company and it's been a breath of fresh air. They're not as "big name" but their fees are transparent and their support is actually responsive. Good luck with your hunt, hope you find a better fit!

Comments (3)

catherine_bell🏆Advanced (250-500k)Real Investor•less than a minute ago

patricia_miller📊Growing (50-100k)✓ Verified•less than a minute ago

Hey, I'm also looking into custodians for a Gold IRA. When you mentioned their customer service was bad, were you talking about the new ones you're looking at, or your current custodian? Trying to avoid similar issues myself. Thanks!

maria_campbell📊Growing (50-100k)✓ Verified•less than a minute ago

Totally get the frustration with creeping fees and crummy CS, that's the worst. But honestly, while some custodians might be slightly better than others, they're all pretty much playing in the same sandbox with Gold IRAs. The fees are a necessary evil for the specialized storage and compliance. Might be worth double-checking if the difference in fees you're seeing between custodians is really going to move the needle much in the long run, or if the hassle of switching might outweigh the savings. Sometimes the devil you know... just a thought!

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