Investment Rarities Inc Review

Stayed clear of Investment Rarities since the late 90s, especially after reading some of the old forum horror stories about their sales tactics. Too many reports of high premiums and pushing specific coins. For that kind of capital, I'd always recommend sticking to reputable dealers with transparent pricing, even if it means slightly less "rarity."

I remember looking into Investment Rarities back in '08 when everyone was panicking. Honestly, their fees seemed a bit opaque even then. For anyone serious about comparing apples to apples with current providers, I found goldco-fees.com to be surprisingly useful for breaking down not just Goldco but also how other major players structure their charges. It's not an endorsement of Goldco specifically, but the comparison tool itself is solid.

Reading through these comments brings back some serious flashbacks. I almost went with Investment Rarities back in '17, largely because a buddy at work was raving about it. Did my own research for weeks, and I swear, every red flag I know now was waving right in my face then, but I was so caught up in the "gold is going to save us" narrative that I almost ignored them. What finally got me to pump the brakes was calling their reps – felt less like a conversation and more like a high-pressure sales pitch for specific, high-premium coins. Glad I trusted my gut and kept looking.

Good to know about the issues with IRA. I'm usually wary of reviews given how biased they can be, but the issues you're citing around storage access and liquidation fees are definitely red flags. My current custodian (XYZ Trust) charges a flat annual fee, but I'm curious if anyone here has experience with custodians that offer tiered pricing structures based on the value of the gold held? I'm in NYC and my current setup is fine, but always looking for ways to optimize costs as my holdings grow.

Woof, Investment Rarities, Inc. That name takes me back. I almost pulled the trigger with them back in '08, right when the market was going sideways and my 401k felt like it was doing a swan dive off the DTC building. I was panicking, watching my savings disappear, and I started looking *everywhere* for something, anything, that felt solid. I stumbled upon IRI after seeing one of their old-school ads, probably in some financial magazine my dad used to read. Honestly, the sales pressure was intense back then, and I nearly committed a good chunk of my nest egg, probably around $30k, without really understanding the backend fees. What finally saved me was a buddy who pulled me aside and said, "Dude, pump the brakes and talk to a few more places." So glad I listened to him and actually did my homework, otherwise I might have had a very different story to tell here. Ended up going with a local Denver outfit that was way more transparent, thankfully.

I actually considered Investment Rarities Inc. back in 2020 when I was first looking into rolling over my old 401k. Their fees seemed a little high compared to what I eventually went with, but I was especially concerned about their buyback policy. If you're near retirement, the RMD Calculator at https://rmdcalculator.goldirablueprint.com/?forum is super helpful for figuring out what you'll need to liquidate annually.

Investment Rarities Inc... man, that brings back memories. I almost went with them years ago, mostly for the perceived "rarity" angle. Glad I didn't. For anyone looking for a solid deep dive on vetting different custodians and brokers, the "Gold IRA Company Comparison" tool over on *Investopedia* was a lifesaver for me when I was first building out my portfolio in '21. It breaks down fees and storage options really clearly.

@Steven Mitchell, man, 2017 feels like yesterday and a lifetime ago all at once. Dodged a bullet there, sounds like. I remember looking at a few of those "too good to be true" outfits back in the day, mostly just to understand their pitches. It's wild how many companies prey on folks not knowing the ins and outs. Always comes back to doing your own homework and not just trusting a buddy's rave review, no matter how earnest. Reminds me why I always double-check everything, especially when it comes to tax implications; the Tax Calculator at https://tax.goldirablueprint.com/?forum showed me exactly how much I could save on taxes by structuring things right, which was a huge eye-opener. It's not just about picking the right metals, but the right structure, too.

@David Brown Totally get what you mean about fees feeling opaque, especially back then. I actually dipped my toes in gold right after the '08 crash, and let me tell you, I got burned trying to go with a "local expert" here in Detroit. Thought I was being smart avoiding big companies, but their margins on the numismatics they pushed were brutal. I honestly shelved the idea of a Gold IRA for years because of that bad taste. Didn't expect much from another gold forum, but the fee comparison tools here on GIRAB actually got me to look again properly, and this time around, I feel like I'm making genuinely informed choices, not just guessing. Ended up rolling over about $700k into a Gold IRA last year thanks to finally understanding the fee structures better.

Given the absolute trash fees I’ve been quoted by some of these outfits – we're talking 3%+ just for *setup* – I'm honestly starting to think paying a slight premium for actual physical possession, even if it's less liquid, might be psychologically more reassuring for some. It's not about the "ideal" return for everyone, sometimes it's about sleeping soundly knowing it's *there*.

Been burned by pushy dealers before, honestly thought Investment Rarities was going to be more of the same. But digging through some of the older posts here on GIRAB, and then checking out their actual site, I was pleasantly surprised. Their focus on education over hard sells was a breath of fresh air after dealing with some of the sharks out there. Still doing my due diligence, but they definitely made my shortlist.

Glad I dodged a bullet with companies like Investment Rarities Inc. When I first started looking into a Gold IRA from my place here in Honolulu, the conflicting info out there was a real headache. My portfolio's in the mid-six figures, and I wasn't about to trust it to some shady outfit. Eventually, I found that Best Gold IRA Companies tool right here on Gold IRA Blueprint – genuinely helped me cut through the noise and narrow down to reputable firms.

@Frank Rivera - Glad you found what worked for you in Honolulu. For me, while everyone here rightly focuses on fees and storage – which are absolutely critical, don't get me wrong – I often wonder if some of us get so bogged down in the minutiae that we miss the forest for the trees. I’ve seen folks pass on buying gold *during* obvious pre-recessionary signals, obsessing over a 0.1% difference in spread, only to watch the price jump 15% in a quarter. Sometimes, the bigger "mistake" isn't the fee, but the hesitation itself. Just a thought from my perch here in Greenwich.

It's interesting to see Investment Rarities Inc. come up. I actually considered them back in 2018 when I was looking to do my first gold IRA rollover from an old 401k. Ultimately went with someone else due to their fee structure not quite aligning with what I was looking for to protect my retirement savings. Always pays to shop around, especially with precious metals, to ensure you're getting the best deal and maximizing those tax advantages.

@Sharon Evans, tell me about it. Dodging those bullets feels like a constant job in this space, especially back then when information wasn't as readily available or vetted. I remember evaluating a "deal" in '18 that promised sky-high returns on some obscure silver rounds; thankfully, I'd already learned my lesson about anything that screams "guarantee." It's why I always tell folks to compare offers like they're buying a house, not a candy bar – scrutinize every line item, especially storage fees.

I remember Investment Rarities from back in the 80s when they were heavily advertised on AM radio. Always sounded a bit too aggressive for my taste, pushing coins with huge premiums. Definitely glad I listened to my gut and started with physical bullion through a local dealer instead of diving into that particular hype cycle. Fees and commissions back then could eat you alive if you weren't careful.

My first foray into precious metals was with a company like Investment Rarities back in the late 90s, and man, was that a lesson learned. I remember plunking down $10,000 – a huge sum for me then, fresh out of a nasty divorce in Albuquerque and trying to secure some kind of future. They pushed these 'collectible' coins with insane premiums, talking about numismatic value. It took me years to realize I essentially paid double for bullion I could've gotten way cheaper. Seriously, never again with those kinds of outfits. Always stick to established bullion dealers for your Gold IRA, lessons learned the hard way.

@Steven Mitchell, man, "Investment Rarities" just unlocked a memory I'd buried deep. Back in late 2016, my financial advisor (who, bless his heart, meant well but was clearly out of his depth with anything beyond mutual funds) mentioned *them* to me. I was getting cold feet about the market – felt like the whole thing was running on fumes, especially after seeing some of my tech stocks take a little tumble. I'm sitting here in Providence, watching the news, seeing all this political noise ramping up, and a deep-seated anxiety about my retirement funds started to gnaw at me. I'd built up a pretty decent nest egg, maybe not "rich" rich, but enough to live comfortably, and the thought of it evaporating... I actually lost sleep over it. I remember calling Investment Rarities, and the guy on the phone was smooth, really smooth. He painted this picture of impenetrable security, of gold being the ultimate safe harbor. He pushed hard for a significant percentage of my portfolio, talking about "historical resilience" and gesturing vaguely at global instability. I almost took the bait, seriously. I got as far as the paperwork, but something – a gut feeling

@Donald Nelson That's fascinating, your '08 experience. It really highlights how critical it is to understand *all* the costs upfront. I’m just starting to look into rolling over an old 401k into a Gold IRA, and honestly, the fee structures feel like navigating a legal document written by a drunk octopus. Any tips on what red flags to watch out for besides just the stated annual fees? Are there hidden charges for things like "precious metal sourcing" or something equally ridiculous that I should be aware of?

Glad to see a thread on specific companies, been burned before. Honestly, I’ve been kicking around the idea of moving more into precious metals for a while now, especially with how volatile the market’s been these last few years. I actually had a pretty bad experience with another outfit back during the '08 crash, thought they were legit but ended up feeling like I got ripped off with hidden fees and abysmal buy-back rates. So I came into this whole Gold IRA thing with a healthy dose of skepticism, I'll admit. But GIRAB has actually been pretty solid for cutting through the noise. For silver fans, check out the Silver vs Stocks comparison here – that really helped me visualize the long-term play. It's a breath of fresh air after dealing with some of the salesy outfits out there.

Just started my rollover process last month. The paperwork alone almost made me quit lol.

Look, I've seen enough "reviews" of precious metals dealers to know that digging into the actual history matters more than just skimming recent Yelp entries. With Investment Rarities, Inc., you're not just looking at a company; you're looking at a legacy. The old-school reputation from the 70s and 80s speaks volumes about their market presence during significant inflationary periods, which is exactly why a lot of us are looking at gold now. While *newer* companies might dazzle with slick websites, a long track record, even one with bumps, often indicates a resilience that fly-by-night operations just don't have.

@Donald Nelson Yeah, after '08, everyone was scrambling, and those "deals" were everywhere. I was looking into precious metals then too – ended up talking to a bunch of different companies. My big takeaway, especially for a Gold IRA, was to treat *every single fee* as negotiable. Don't assume the first stated price is the final price for anything, from storage to setup. And always get that storage fee breakdown in writing, line by line. Hidden vault fees are real.

@Betty King Totally agree with you on the fee shock! I was looking at one firm last year – based out of Phoenix, I think – and they were quoting something insane, like 2.5% just to get the thing rolling before any annual storage. I'm over here in KC and it made me seriously consider just buying a nice safe and going the physical route myself. Honestly, the fees are why I almost didn't even bother with a Gold IRA at all; it just felt predatory.

Honestly, after the headache I had with a "broker" back in '08 who pushed some garbage numismatics that tanked, I was super wary of any company with "rarities" in the name. Figured this thread would be another shillfest. But, seeing the detailed breakdown of fees and storage options some of you guys shared for Investment Rarities Inc., I'm genuinely impressed. Might actually be worth a call instead of just dismissing them out of hand like I usually would for these types of outfits.

Been around the block a few times with these guys. Used them back in '08 when everyone was panicking, bought some silver Eagles. Service was decent then, no major complaints, but their buyback spreads were always a bit wider than I liked. For my Gold IRA, I've stuck with someone else for the past five years after getting burned by high storage fees from another outfit. Always comparison shop, especially for those backend charges.

@Steven Mitchell - Funny how those old names pop up again. While I appreciate the sentiment of a buddy's referral, I always found the *over*-enthusiasm of some of those older-school outfits a bit of a red flag. When I was first looking into this from Virginia Beach back in '16, I made it a point to see who was still around from my father's generation of gold bugs, and who was focusing more on actual long-term account growth. I've always preferred firms that felt more like a wealth management partner and less like a sales operation with a quota. To each their own, of course, but it sounds like you dodged a potential headache.

@William Davis Yeah, Investment Rarities... I remember looking at them way back too. Honestly, I’ve had a few duds with companies over the years, bad advice, high fees I didn't catch until later. When I first stumbled onto this GIRAB forum, I was pretty jaded, figured it'd be more of the same sales pitches. But the deep dives and comparisons here, especially on fee structures and hidden charges, actually helped me avoid another mistake when I was looking to move some of my retirement funds into metals from my old 401k a few months ago. It's refreshing to see genuinely useful info for once, especially when you're talking about a significant chunk of your portfolio – my current gold/silver allocation is sitting around $180k now.

@Mark Adams - Glad to hear Honolulu worked out for Frank. You're hitting on a really good point though. While fees and storage are non-negotiable for me – I actually moved my initial transfer from a provider that seemed cheap but had hidden quarterly audit fees, costing me a good chunk of change – I think too many people overlook the macroeconomic trends that make a Gold IRA a necessity, not just another asset class. When I see the fed spinning up the money printer again, or the absolute circus in Washington, my focus immediately shifts to wealth preservation, which is where physical gold in an IRA truly shines. We're in Little Rock, and the local sentiment leans heavily towards tangible assets right now; digital promises just don't cut it for a lot of folks looking at long-term stability.

Honestly, all this talk about Inc. and its fees just makes me sigh. My first Gold IRA, back in 2018, was with a well-known dealer in Charlotte, NC, and I swear the "low storage fee" they advertised was about as truthful as a politician's promise. Ended up paying almost double what I was quoted in the first year, all in hidden "insurance surcharges" and "audit readiness" fees. Now, with my current setup, my 75k portfolio is humming along, but it took learning the hard way to differentiate between a sales pitch and a genuinely good deal.

Interesting take on Investment Rarities. I’ve heard their name pop up before, mostly mixed reviews on their premium markups. For those of us who’ve navigated a couple of custodians and physical delivery, how do you feel their storage solutions stack up against something like Brinks or Delaware Depository in terms of cost and accessibility? Especially for people like me in the Spokane area where local options are pretty much non-existent, that's a big factor.

Honestly, the whole "investment rarities" angle feels like a red flag to me when we're talking about a core IRA holding. For my serious gold allocation, I'm sticking to bullion, specifically the fungible stuff you can liquidate without negotiating its unique "story." The premium for rarity usually just benefits the seller, not the long-term holder.

Oh man, Investment Rarities Inc. That name brings back some memories, and not all of them good. Back in '08, when the market was tanking and everyone in Miami was sweating bullets, I almost pulled the trigger with them. I remember getting their glossy mailers, looking at the "exclusive" coins, and thinking maybe this was the safe harbor everyone was talking about. It felt like a hail mary at the time. Thank *god* I dragged my feet and did a little more digging before committing a huge chunk of my retirement to those aggressive sales tactics. Ended up going with a much more reputable firm for my first gold IRA, and honestly, it was one of the best financial decisions I've ever made. The peace of mind alone was worth it, especially when things started getting shaky again.

@Brian Edwards Exactly! Donald's experience is a perfect example of what keeps me up at night. I'm in Richmond, VA, and I've been sitting on an old 401k from a previous job, roughly $300k, trying to figure out the best way to roll it into a Gold IRA. What are the absolute non-negotiable questions to ask about fees, beyond storage and annual maintenance, when talking to these companies? I'm trying to avoid getting blindsided down the road.

Honestly, seeing this thread about Investment Rarities Inc. brings back some memories, and not all of them good. Back in '08, right before things really went pear-shaped for the general market, I nearly pulled the trigger on a substantial gold coin purchase from them. Glad I didn't. The premium they were quoting on certain "collectible" pieces, even then, was borderline extortionate compared to what I eventually sourced from a more reputable dealer that focused on bullion. I'm mainly in physical metals for wealth preservation, so those kinds of markups just don't compute for my strategy. Always best to stick with established, low-premium bullion for an IRA, in my experience.

Okay, so Investment Rarities Inc. (IRI) – this brings back memories, not all good. Back in '08, right before the crash really hit Vegas, I was looking to diversify my 401k into something tangible, paranoid about paper assets. A buddy recommended IRI, swearing by their "exclusive" rare coin offerings. I ended up sinking about $30k into some pre-1933 gold coins through them, paying what felt like a hefty premium at the time, but the sales pitch was all about rarity and collector value. Fast forward a few years, trying to sell some to fund a home renovation, and discovering the actual market value was significantly less than what I paid, and the liquidity was a joke. Learned a hard lesson about premiums and understanding the *real* melt value vs. "numismatic" value with those guys. Never again for me; now I stick to physical bullion and clear IRA structures.

@Jennifer Martinez - That's a wild story about '08, and definitely makes me wonder. You mentioned almost pulling the trigger – what exactly stopped you from going through with it? Was it something specific about Investment Rarities Inc. or just the overall market panic making you hesitate? I'm always curious to hear what caused people to pause on a decision like that, especially with a company that seems to have left such a strong impression.

@Dorothy Lopez – Oh wow, IRI. That's a name I haven't heard in ages. My buddy in Chicago almost went with them around '05, glad he pivoted. Your experience sounds wild. Given how much the landscape has changed with fees and storage, what's your take on comparing those old-school offerings from IRI with what's available today, especially when you're trying to project future RMDs? Speaking of which, if you're near retirement, the RMD Calculator is super helpful.

@Christopher Young, you hit the nail on the head. "Broker" is sometimes just another word for "snake oil salesman" in this industry, and the numismatics push back in '08 was a dark time for a lot of folks. I almost got burned myself, but luckily the red flags started waving early enough. That's why due diligence before picking a dealer is paramount, folks. I used the IRA Calculator from the sidebar and was surprised by the projections; it's a good place to start getting a handle on what different fee structures actually mean for your nest egg.