Looking to protect your retirement savings with gold and silver?
You’re not alone. With inflation concerns and market volatility, more Americans are turning to precious metals as a hedge. But here’s the thing, not all precious metals dealers are created equal, and choosing the wrong one can cost you thousands in hidden fees or worse.
I spent weeks digging into Lear Capital , reading through hundreds of customer reviews, comparing their fees to competitors, and even calling their sales team myself. This review covers everything you need to know: what they offer, what they charge, and whether they’re actually worth your investment dollars.
About Lear Capital
Lear Capital has been in the precious metals business since 1997, making them one of the more established players in the industry. They’re based in Los Angeles, California, and their whole pitch centers around helping everyday Americans diversify their retirement portfolios with physical gold and silver.
What caught my attention is their range of services.
They’re not just selling coins and bullion bars , they handle the full spectrum: Gold IRAs, Silver IRAs, precious metals purchases for home storage, and even portfolio consultations.
They also offer IRA rollovers, which means you can transfer money from your existing 401(k) or traditional IRA into a precious metals IRA without taking a tax hit.
From what I can tell, they work with approved depositories for IRA storage and claim to have a streamlined three-step process for setting everything up.
They’re not registered with FINRA or SIPC because they’re not selling securities – they’re selling physical metals. This is normal for precious metals dealers, but it’s worth knowing upfront.
Key Features & Services
Gold & Silver IRA Services
This is clearly their bread and butter. Lear Capital specializes in helping people set up self-directed IRAs backed by physical precious metals. The process involves opening an account with a custodian (they partner with specific ones), funding it through a rollover or transfer, and then purchasing IRS-approved gold, silver, platinum, or palladium products.
One thing I appreciate, they assign you a dedicated account representative. From the customer reviews I read, this person walks you through the paperwork, answers questions, and stays in touch after the sale. For someone doing this for the first time, that personal touch matters.
Precious Metals Purchases
Not interested in an IRA? You can buy gold and silver directly for personal storage. They offer:
- American Gold Eagles and Silver Eagles
- Canadian Maple Leafs
- Gold and silver bars
- Rare and collectible coins
The selection seems solid, though I noticed they really push the premium coins during sales calls. More on that later.
Storage & Custody Options
For IRA accounts, your metals get stored at an IRS-approved depository – usually Delaware Depository or Brink’s. You don’t physically hold the metals (IRS rules), but you own them. They’re segregated, insured, and you can liquidate whenever you want.
If you’re buying for home storage, they ship everything insured via FedEx or similar carriers. Several reviews mentioned fast shipping, usually within a week or two of payment clearing.
IRA Rollovers & Transfers
They handle the rollover paperwork for you, which honestly takes a huge headache out of the process. Whether you’re coming from a 401(k), traditional IRA, or Roth IRA, their team coordinates with your current custodian to move the funds. Most people in reviews said this took between 1-3 weeks.
Buyback Program
Here’s something useful – Lear Capital has a buyback guarantee. If you ever want to liquidate your metals, they’ll buy them back. The price won’t be what you paid (they buy at spot price minus a margin), but it gives you an exit strategy without having to find a buyer yourself.
Fees & Pricing
Alright, let’s talk money. This is where things get a bit murky, and honestly, it’s my biggest frustration with Lear Capital.
IRA Setup & Maintenance Fees
Based on what I could piece together from reviews and calling them directly:
- One-time setup fee: Around $50-$80
- Annual custodian fee: $80-$200 (varies by custodian)
- Annual storage fee: $100-$300 (depends on account size)
These fees aren’t terrible compared to competitors, but they’re not the lowest either.
Product Markups
This is the big one. Like most precious metals dealers, Lear Capital doesn’t charge commissions – they make money on the spread between what they pay for metals and what they sell them to you for.
For bullion (standard coins and bars), the markup seemed reasonable – maybe 5-10% over spot price based on current market rates. But here’s the catch: their sales reps really push premium and rare coins, where markups can hit 30-50% or even higher.
I saw multiple reviews where customers felt pressured into buying “collectible” coins when they really just wanted basic bullion. One person mentioned paying $2,400 for a coin worth $1,600 in actual gold content. Ouch.
Shipping & Insurance
For direct purchases (non-IRA), shipping is typically free on orders over a certain amount, and everything comes fully insured. No complaints there.
How They Compare
Compared to companies like Goldco or Augusta Precious Metals, Lear Capital’s IRA fees are in the middle of the pack. Where they fall short is transparency, competitors like Goldco publish their fee schedules online. With Lear, you have to call and ask, which feels outdated.
Trustworthiness & Reputation
Let’s cut through the noise and look at what actual customers say.
BBB Rating
Lear Capital has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, which sounds great. They’ve been accredited since 2012 and have resolved most complaints filed against them. However, as of early 2026, they have a customer review rating of 4.63 out of 5 on BBB based on numerous reviews.
The complaints I saw mostly centered around:
- Feeling pressured during sales calls
- Confusion about fees
- Delays in processing buyback requests
To their credit, Lear Capital responds to almost every complaint and seems to genuinely try to resolve issues.
Trustpilot Reviews
On Trustpilot, they’re rated “Excellent” with nearly 3,000 reviews. The positive reviews consistently mention helpful sales reps, smooth transactions, and good follow-up service. People love the assigned account representative model.
The negative reviews? Again, it comes back to pushy sales tactics and premium coin markups. Some customers felt misled about the investment potential of rare coins.
Google Reviews
Around 4.7 stars on Google with over 500 reviews. Similar themes – great customer service, but watch out for the sales pitch on high-premium products.
Reddit & Independent Forums
This is where you get the unfiltered truth. On subreddits focused on precious metals investing, Lear Capital gets mixed reviews. Some users had great experiences with knowledgeable reps. Others warn to “stick to bullion only” and avoid anything collectible unless you actually collect coins as a hobby.
My Take on Trust
Are they legit? Yes. They’ve been around for nearly 30 years and have helped thousands of people invest in precious metals. Are they perfect? No. The sales tactics lean aggressive, and pricing transparency could be way better. But they’re not a scam, and most customers seem satisfied overall.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Nearly 30 years in business – they’re established and experienced
- Wide selection of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products
- Dedicated account representatives who actually stay in touch
- Smooth IRA rollover process with minimal paperwork hassle
- Solid ratings across multiple review platforms
- Buyback guarantee gives you an exit strategy
- Fast, insured shipping on direct purchases
Cons:
- Sales reps can be pushy, especially about premium coins
- Lack of transparent pricing – you have to call for quotes
- Higher markups on collectible and rare coins (sometimes way higher)
- Some complaints about slow buyback processing
- IRA fees are middle-of-the-road, not the cheapest
- No online account management portal (everything’s phone-based)
Lear Capital vs Competitors
Here’s how they stack up against other major players:
| Feature | Lear Capital | Goldco | Augusta Precious Metals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years in Business | Since 1997 | Since 2006 | Since 2012 |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ | A+ |
| Trustpilot Rating | Excellent (4.8/5) | Excellent (4.7/5) | Excellent (4.9/5) |
| IRA Setup Fee | ~$50-80 | $50 | $0 |
| Annual Fees | $180-500 | $180-225 | $180-230 |
| Minimum Investment | Varies | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Price Transparency | Call for quote | Call for quote | Better transparency |
| Buyback Program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | General investors | First-time buyers | High net worth |
Bottom Line: Lear Capital sits comfortably in the middle. They’re not the cheapest (that’s probably Augusta if you meet their minimum), and they’re not the most transparent. But they’re experienced, reliable, and good for someone who values personal service over DIY investing.
How to Get Started
If you decide Lear Capital is right for you, here’s what the process looks like:
Step 1: Request Information
Call them or fill out their online form to get their free investor kit. This gives you basic info on precious metals investing and how their IRA process works. No obligation, and from what I can tell, they won’t harass you with daily calls.
Step 2: Consultation Call
You’ll get assigned an account representative who’ll walk through your investment goals, current retirement situation, and options. This is where you need to be careful – ask specifically about fees, markups, and stick to bullion if you’re just looking to preserve wealth. Don’t let them upsell you on rare coins unless you understand exactly what you’re paying for.
Step 3: Fund Your Account
For an IRA, you’ll sign some paperwork to authorize the rollover or transfer. Lear Capital coordinates with your current custodian to move the funds. For direct purchases, you wire money or send a check.
Step 4: Select Your Metals
Work with your rep to choose which gold, silver, platinum, or palladium products to buy. My advice: keep it simple with American Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, or standard bars unless you have a specific reason to go premium.
Step 5: Storage or Delivery
IRA metals go straight to the depository. Direct purchases get shipped to your door, fully insured.
Pro Tips:
- Get everything in writing before you commit
- Ask for a complete fee breakdown upfront
- Don’t rush – legitimate companies won’t pressure you to decide today
- If buying bullion, compare their price to current spot price plus a reasonable premium
- Keep your account rep’s direct number – you’ll want it for questions later
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lear Capital legit?
Yes, Lear Capital is a legitimate precious metals dealer that’s been in business since 1997. They have an A+ BBB rating, thousands of positive customer reviews, and are well-established in the industry. They’re not registered with FINRA or SIPC because they don’t sell securities, they sell physical metals, which is normal for this type of company.
How much does a Gold IRA with Lear Capital cost?
Initial setup runs around $50-80 for account opening. Annual fees typically range from $180-500 total, which includes custodian fees (about $80-200) and storage fees (around $100-300). The actual metals you purchase will cost spot price plus a markup that varies depending on whether you buy standard bullion or premium coins.
Can I rollover my existing IRA to Lear Capital?
Absolutely. They handle rollovers from traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and other qualified retirement accounts. Their team coordinates the paperwork with your current custodian, and the process usually takes 1-3 weeks. It’s a tax-free transfer as long as you follow IRS rules.
How does storage work?
For IRA accounts, your metals are stored at IRS-approved depositories like Delaware Depository or Brink’s. The metals are segregated (kept separate from other customers’ holdings), fully insured, and you can request delivery or liquidation anytime. If you buy for personal storage outside an IRA, they ship directly to your address.
What metals can I invest in?
Lear Capital offers IRS-approved gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products including American Gold Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, various government-minted coins, and bars from approved refiners. For IRA accounts, you’re limited to products that meet IRS purity requirements (usually .995 or higher fineness).
Does Lear Capital buy back metals?
Yes, they have a buyback program. If you want to sell your metals back to them, they’ll purchase at current market rates (spot price minus their margin). Several customers mentioned this process taking 1-2 weeks from request to receiving payment.
Conclusion & Recommendation
After digging through everything – the fees, customer reviews, services, and how they compare to competitors – here’s my honest take on Lear Capital.
They’re solid, but not perfect.
If you want a long-established company with experienced reps who’ll hold your hand through the precious metals IRA process, Lear Capital delivers. They’re legitimate, they’ve been doing this for almost 30 years, and thousands of customers have had good experiences with them.
Who should consider Lear Capital:
- First-time precious metals investors who want guidance and personal service
- Anyone looking to rollover an existing retirement account into a Gold or Silver IRA
- Investors who prefer talking to a real person over managing everything online
- People who value relationship-based service and don’t mind phone calls
Who should look elsewhere:
- Bargain hunters focused purely on getting the absolute lowest fees
- DIY investors who want complete online account management
- Anyone easily swayed by sales pitches (the premium coin upselling is real)
- High net worth investors who might benefit from Augusta’s specialized service
My bottom-line advice: If you go with Lear Capital, be firm about what you want. Stick to standard bullion products unless you genuinely understand the collectible coin market. Get all fees in writing before committing. And don’t rush – any pressure to “act now” is a red flag with any precious metals dealer, not just Lear.
They’re a legitimate option in a crowded market. Not the cheapest, not the most innovative, but experienced and reliable. For many investors, that’s exactly what matters most.
Ready to learn more? Compare Lear Capital with our top 7 Gold IRA Companies & detailed information on their current offerings and see if their services align with your retirement goals. Just remember, you’re under zero obligation, so take your time and make the decision that’s right for your financial situation.
