Welcome to the YourGoldIRAGuide.com United Gold Group review – freshly updated with 2025 information.?
United Gold Group (UGG) is a relative newcomer to the industry, with limited online presence. Located in Malibu, California, United Gold Group offers all your basic, staple, meat & potatoes gold and silver bullion products suitable for IRA investment – and they don’t try to do much else. For example, they don’t list any platinum or palladium for sale on their website.?
What they do offer, however, is more than enough to get started with a solid foundation of bullion products for your gold or silver IRA.?
That said, United Gold Group is not as well established as many competing firms. They have very few online reviews, and half of those are one-star reviews. They’ve had a few fulfillment issues in the past and are not consistently responsive to the negative reviews they have gotten on the Better Business Bureau website, for example.?
Furthermore, the company doesn’t publicly disclose much about its fee structure or management team on its website.?
For these reasons, United Gold Group is best suited for experienced gold and silver investors already familiar with the landscape and what to expect from a gold IRA company.?
Until we see some more evidence of consistent positive reviews, indicating that the company is more responsive to negative feedback, and that the fulfillment issues that have plagued them in the past have been addressed, I’m hesitant to recommend United Gold Group at this point.?
This review will discuss the ins and outs of investing with the United Gold Group, identify its advantages and disadvantages, and provide some alternatives for you to explore as well.?
- United Gold Group Company Information
- Key Takeaways
- What is United Gold Group?
- United Gold Group Fees
- United Gold Group Storage, Depository, & Vault Services
- How to Open a Gold IRA Account With United Gold Group
- IRA Precious Metals Eligibility Table
- Who Should Consider United Gold Group??
- Is United Gold Group a scam?
United Gold Group Company Information
Name: United Gold Group
President: Randy Kohl
Price: Varies
Rating:? 2.5/5 (Based on six reviews on Better Business Bureau).?
Key Takeaways
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United Gold Group is a precious-metals dealer offering Gold IRA rollovers and direct bullion sales.
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The company promotes personalized service and one-on-one guidance for retirement investors.
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United Gold Group is relatively new compared to long-established competitors in the Gold IRA space.
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Pricing is not fully published online, so investors must speak with a representative to get current rates and fees.
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The company partners with third-party IRA custodians; it is not a custodian itself.
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Some online reviews praise customer service, while others cite aggressive sales tactics?experiences appear mixed.
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Investors should compare fees, storage options, and rollover guidance with top competitors before committing.
What is United Gold Group?
United Gold Group (UGG) is a company that specializes in precious metals investments, particularly gold and silver. They offer services such as buying and selling gold and silver coins, bars, and other precious metal products.?
Additionally, they provide resources and guidance for individuals interested in investing in precious metals for wealth preservation or diversification purposes. United Gold Group typically operates as a precious metals dealer and advisor, helping clients navigate the intricacies of investing in gold and silver.?
It’s important to conduct thorough research and due diligence before engaging with any precious metals dealer or investment firm. While I was doing my research about the company, I found its website. I noticed that the URL indicates United Asset Group instead of United Gold Group.
Chances are, they may be going through a rebranding.
Regarding its owner or founder, there is no information available. However, I checked the company’s BBB profile, and Mr. Randy Kohl is listed as its president. But another review online says that when they checked the BBB profile of United Gold Group, they found out the president is actually David Bleeden, who appears below in this video:
United Gold Group is a member of the National Coin & Bullion Association (ICTA), the industry watchdog that monitors precious metals companies. Moreover, United Gold Group is one of the sponsors of Sound Money Defense League.
It advocates for state and federal sound money legislation and, at the same time, provides people with the necessary information on this topic. United Gold Group is also part of the Teddy Roosevelt / United Gold Wildlife Initiative, which advocates for environmental protection.
United Gold Group Products & Services
United Gold Group offers precious gold, silver, platinum, and palladium metals. Moreover, clients can use IRA-eligible precious metals in their IRA accounts. Apart from selling precious metals, United Gold Group has a buy-back policy, in which the company will buy back your precious metals at competitive prices.
Below are the other services that United Gold Group offers according to their website:
- Self-Directed IRA Administration Services
- Assistance with Required Minimum Distributions
- Precious Metals Vault Services
- Account Roll-overs & Transfers
- Beneficiary & Remainderman Designation
- Sale and Transfer of Precious Metals
- Retirement Trusts
It’s always a good idea to compare gold IRA companies. ?For example, compare United Gold Group’s fees, products, features, and performance reviews with our current top gold company pick, Augusta Precious Metals.
Does United Gold Group offer IRAs?
Yes, United Gold Group supports self-directed IRA investing, which includes setting up your account, assisting with the transfer or rollover of funds from your existing IRA, and ongoing maintenance of your precious metals IRA.
They are not an approved gold IRA custodian themselves (most gold IRA companies aren’t). But they work with Equity Institutional, a reputable approved IRA custodian, which handles your gold IRA’s recordkeeping, reporting, and IRS compliance.?
IRA-eligible products
Moreover, United Gold Group offers a wide range of gold, silver, and platinum IRA-eligible products.
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the following precious metals are eligible to be held in IRAs and other tax-advantaged accounts.?
- Gold
- Australian Kangaroo/Nugget coins
- U.S. Buffalo Gold Uncirculated coins (no Proofs)
- British Britannia coins (.9999+)
- American Eagle coins(1)
- Austrian Philharmonic coins
- Chinese Panda Coins
- Canadian Maple Leaf coins
- Silver
- Royal Canadian Mint Eagle coins
- Chinese Silver Panda coins
- American Eagle coins(1)
- Mexican Libertad coins
- Australian Kookaburra and Koala coins
- Austrian Philharmonic coins
- Canadian Maple Leaf coins
- Platinum
- Canadian Maple Leaf coins
- American Eagle coins(1)
- Isle of Man Noble coins
- Australian Koala coins
United Gold Group Payment Options
United Gold Group only accepts two forms of payment: bank wires, personal checks, and ?electronic bill pay? checks.
Cash, bank checks, cashier checks, and money orders are NOT accepted.
What Is United Gold Group’s Buyback Policy?
Yes, United Gold Group offers a buy-back policy only to its clients.
The company is willing to buy back the products you purchased.
United Gold Group Ratings & Reviews (2025)
At the time of this update (November 2025), United Gold Group doesn’t have a lot of online reviews.?
On Trustpilot.com, a very popular online review site, customers have posted precisely zero verified reviews as of November 2025.
In contrast, other reputable gold IRA companies have garnered thousands of reviews from happy customers, unhappy customers, and everyone in between. But with United Gold Group, investors don’t have much to go on.?
The company is, however, accredited with the Better Business Bureau and has been accredited since 2021. They have a total of six reviews there: three 5-star reviews and three one-star reviews.?
Out of those three one-star reviews, United Gold Group responded to one of them, admitting they dropped the ball in delivering some promised coins and pledging to do better in the future. The other two (more recent) one-star reviews have been apparently ignored, so United Gold Group does not appear very responsive to complaints.
United Gold Group Fees
United Gold Group does not publish its fees online. However, since investors generally choose their own depository facility and custodian, there isn’t much for them to publish for IRA investors. Home delivery shipment charges are generally not relevant for gold IRA investors, and the actual fees will vary with the depository facility and custodian.?
United Gold Group makes most of its money based on its markup from the global market spot price. You can compare with other companies by looking up prices on substantially identical bullion products at different gold IRA companies at the time of purchase.?
United Gold Group Pros & Cons
Pros
- Offers a wide range of products and services
- ICTA member
- BBB accredited
Cons
- Very few online reviews to go on. The ones that exist are mixed, at best.?
- Limited track record
- History of fulfillment issues?
- Little transparency: UGG does not publish its fees online, nor anything about its management team.?
What Types of precious metal accounts does United Gold Group Support??
United Gold Group supports the following types of tax-advantaged accounts
- Traditional IRAs
- Roth IRAs
- SEP IRAs
- 401(k)s
- 403(b)s
- Section 457s
- Thrift Savings Plans
Most of these accounts provide tax deferral. However, Roth IRAs provide for tax-free, not tax-deferred growth (provided you leave the money inside the account for at least five years).
Contribution limits vary based on the type of account and your income.
United Gold Group Storage, Depository, & Vault Services
UGG does not have its own vault facility. But they work with investors and help them set up vault and depositary facilities at third-party facilities across the country.? Your fees and expenses will vary with the storage or depository facility you choose.?
Some facilities charge a flat rate regardless of how much precious metal you store there. Others charge a percentage of the value of the assets you have on deposit. The flat rate system is best for larger accounts, while the percentage system may be better for smaller accounts.?
Speak with your financial advisor or your UGG gold IRA specialist about what depository facilities will suit your needs best.?
How to Open a Gold IRA Account With United Gold Group
Opening an IRA with United Gold Group is very easy. There are just three steps:?
1. Establish the IRA.
The first step is to call a United Gold Group IRA product specialist?
They’ll walk you through the process and help facilitate all the paperwork. If you’re opening an IRA or other self-directed retirement account, you’ll also select a custodian and a vault facility.?
2. Fund it.?
You can contribute cash directly (tax-advantaged accounts are subject to contribution limits) or execute a tax-free trustee-to-trustee?transfer. This means that United Gold Group will get your permission to have your existing IRA custodian transfer funds directly from your old IRA to your new gold IRA account with United Gold Group.?
3. Purchase precious metals to hold in the IRA.
Again, you can do this online or via telephone through your United Gold Group IRA product specialist. You tell your specialist what assets you want to buy, how many, at what price, and provide fulfillment instructions. You’ll get a confirmation email. You must confirm in writing or electronically, in a way that leaves an auditable paper trail.?
Note: Ensure that all products you plan to hold in your IRA or other self-directed retirement account are IRA eligible. Not all gold, silver, or platinum coins and bars are IRA-compatible.?
All IRA precious metal investments must be bullion – metals manufactured and held primarily for their metal content, not for any kind of aesthetic, historical, or collector’s value. Numismatics are generally not allowed in precious metal IRAs.
IMPORTANT: Do not attempt to take home delivery or personal possession of gold IRA assets.?Doing so could result in your entire account being disqualified, significant immediate tax liability, early withdrawal penalties, and prohibited transaction penalties.?
IRA Precious Metals Eligibility Table
| Metal | Minimum Purity Required | Eligible Forms | Manufacturing Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 0.995+(99.5%) | Bars, rounds, bullion coins | Must be produced by a national mint (e.g., U.S. Mint, Royal Canadian Mint) or by an LBMA/COMEX/NYMEX/LME/Tokyo-approved refiner. |
| Gold (Exception) | American Gold Eagle (.9167) | Bullion coins only | Exception approved by IRS despite lower purity; still counts for IRAs. |
| Silver | 0.999+(99.9%) | Bars, rounds, bullion coins | Same as above: must be minted by a government mint or an accredited refiner (LBMA, COMEX, ISO 9001, etc.). |
| Platinum | 0.9995+(99.95%) | Bars and coins | Must be produced by an approved national mint or LPPM/NYMEX-accredited facility. |
| Palladium | 0.9995+(99.95%) | Bars and coins | Must meet LPPM/NYMEX/LBMA standards or be minted by a national government mint. |
| Not Allowed | N/A | Numismatics, collectibles, proof/graded coins (with limited exceptions), Krugerrands, jewelry | Not IRA-eligible regardless of purity. Must NOT be stored at home?only in an IRS-approved depository. |
Who Should Consider United Gold Group??
Honestly, with such a limited track record of verified online reviews, it’s hard to justify recommending committing any significant amount of money to United Gold Group.?
Every gold IRA company has to buy and sell at or very close to the global market spot price. Any savings you get by going with an unproven company like United Gold Group are unlikely to be great enough to offset the risk or hassle of poor fulfillment, especially when it’s very easy to find companies with a much more established track record, such as Augusta (our top overall pick), Noble Gold, or SD Bullion.?
Currently, United Gold Group is best for more experienced investors who already understand IRAs and bullion investing.?
Who Should Consider Alternatives??
United Gold Group may NOT be the best choice for you if:
- ?You?re newer to gold IRAs;?
- You want a turnkey solution with full guidance from rollover through storage, or;
- You prefer a company with a very long track record and hundreds of thousands of verified reviews
- If these apply to you, you may want to explore other providers.
Firms like Augusta Precious Metals, Goldco, or Birch Gold Group specialize in white-glove service for clients who prefer hand-holding, extensive educational resources, frequent live webinars, and a wide array of storage and custodian options. If you want a broad product selection, aggressive pricing transparency, or independent storage that is clearly separate from the dealer, those alternatives may be a better fit.
Is United Gold Group a scam?
No, we can’t conclude that United Gold Group is a scam. However, with their limited online review record, investors should be cautious when committing money and track shipments and transactions carefully.?
So, you should feel safe with your gold buys, if you don’t mind.
One of these companies is Augusta, a well-known name in the industry.
Thank you for reading my United Gold Group?review! If you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave them below.
For Further Reading
I read your review of United Gold Group and from your report, they appear not to be a scam. However, despite your not unfavorable report, I have just hung up with a representative of Global Refund Group, who researched United Gold Group and HER research reveals that UGG is indeed a SCAM, with lawsuits against them. She is emailing me her results . I did extensive research before dealing and buying $50,000.00 of metals from them based on your, BBB and several other sites that purported them to be legitimate with a good reputation! I ONLY hope that the items I purchased from them are genuine and I have not been scammed out of FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS!
Hi Michele, United Gold Group is not a scam but we are noticing lots of negative reviews recently and we will surely update this article with your review as well! Regal assets which is a similar company have closed, so we will look into this and I hope everything is going to be alright with your investment!
I read your review of United Gold Group and found it rather non- committal. I have a suspicion issue. In August, 2022, I called American Hartford & was immediately switched to an Alan Johnson with United Gold Group (who I had no knowledge of, but thought it must be a subsidiary of American.. I checked their ratings, complaints ( Not Reviews) the BBB which gave them an A+ rating. After doing what to me seemed due diligence, I consequently bought $50,000.00 worth of gold & silver products. Even at today's rates, I was outrageously overcharged, found, after extensive research frightenly bad reviews & will have to lug all of their product to be RE-ASSAYED. There should have been more Alert reviews than the "mealy-mouthed" ones I received from All of the sites I checked for verification before I did business with what I now know is a Charlatan Corporation, with questionable ethics. I TRIED & the "information" Never should have been so non-committal.
Hi Michele, Im very sorry about your negative experience with United Gold group, we have noticed that some other people are also complaining about United Gold Group, so we will be updating this review soon with new information about this company, thanks for your comments!
In August of last year, I called the number listed for AMERICAN HARTFORD and, without asking, was switched to UNITED GOLD GROUP. Assuming it was a subsidiary of AMERICAN, I proceeded too buy a total of $50,000 of gold & silver through Alan Johnson, who assured me, he was the manager.
With the scare of digital currency now being a threat , I just called AMERICAN and They did the SAME THING, except the name of the company substituted is NATIONAL GOLD GROUP! Does this suggest a SCAM OR A LEGITIMATE ENTERPRISE? I am 82 years of age, do my own research & manage my own finances. BUT I am stumped on this one,
If you could give me some feedback I would be very appreciative in not risking funds with a shady company. Thank you .
Hi Michele, this sounds sketchy for sure, I would wait it out and not invest anything with them for now because that seems like a red flag, we have reviewed different scams that keep changing their branding and keep linking to new sites, so I would not risk my money for now, we will look into it more and if there is anything we will get back to you!
HI again michele, if you read the other comments, it seems like the company is getting lots of negative reviews, please do not invest for now, thanks.