The call with Advantage Gold is a guided conversation, and the paperwork behind it takes about 30 minutes or less with an account executive by the company’s own figure, checked on September 29, 2026. The process is set up so that the account executive explains how a Gold IRA works before anyone talks about which metals to buy, and a single call can take you from first questions to a signed application with the rollover under way.
This page walks through the process in the order it happens, so you know what each step asks of you before you dial (888) 501-9001. If you would rather start with the written guide, see what happens after you request the Advantage Gold kit.
Who you will be talking to
Advantage Gold was founded in 2014 and is based in Austin, Texas, and an account executive works with you from the first call through the purchase. The Better Business Bureau grades companies from A+ to F on their complaint handling, time in business and transparency, and Advantage Gold holds an A+ and has been accredited since August 8, 2014. Customers rate it 4.8 on Trustpilot across 1,920 reviews and 4.9 on Google across 987 reviews.
The first call
The first conversation is a free one-on-one call with an account executive. It is the place to say what kind of account you hold now, roughly how much is in it and what you want gold to do inside your retirement plan. Advantage Gold takes Traditional, Roth, SEP and Simple IRAs, along with 401(k), 403(b), pension and TSP rollovers, so most workplace and personal retirement accounts can move across.
You can ask anything on this call, and the company publishes plenty of material to prepare with. There is a Gold IRA beginner’s guide in 10 chapters, 10 short FAQ videos and the Advantage Gold Podcast at about 20 minutes an episode, with a transcript on each one. Reading or watching a few of them first makes the call shorter and your questions sharper.
The minimum to open an account is $5,000. If your balance is above that, the account executive can move straight on to the paperwork in the same call.
The application
You complete the self-directed IRA application online. Advantage Gold links the custodial application, the client agreement and a financial statement from its account-opening page, and the account executive walks you through each one in turn. Plan on about 30 minutes or less with an account executive, and you e-sign everything at the end.
Keep a recent statement from your current plan within reach, because the rollover step that follows asks for it.
Choosing a custodian and a depository
The IRS requires a custodian to hold a Gold IRA, and Advantage Gold gives you a choice of two, STRATA Trust Company or Equity Trust Company. You also choose where the metal is stored, at Brink's Global Services USA (Los Angeles or Salt Lake City) or Delaware Depository (Wilmington, DE).
The account executive explains how the options differ so you can pick without guessing. The custodian bills a $100 yearly administration fee and the depository bills storage at $100 a year for commingled or $175 for segregated, and the fee schedule lays out every line. The custodian and depository page covers the choice in more detail.
The rollover, step by step
Advantage Gold runs the rollover as a full-service job, which means you are not chasing your old plan administrator yourself. The company sets out three steps.
- Open the Gold IRA. You complete the custodial application with the account executive and e-sign it.
- Complete the rollover. You send a statement from your current plan, and the custodian contacts the old administrator and moves the funds.
- Purchase the metals. The account executive goes through the eligible coins and bars with you, then Advantage Gold buys, packs, insures and ships them to the depository.
Advantage Gold says the account is funded in a few days after the statement arrives. The 60-day window you may have heard about applies only to an indirect rollover, where your old plan writes the check to you, and a direct move between institutions does not start that clock. For the whole sequence in more detail, read the rollover process and timeline.
Buying the metals
Once the account is funded, the account executive shows you which products are eligible, and reading the eligible product list before you call means the names will already be familiar. Advantage Gold sells gold, silver, platinum and palladium, so you can hold more than one metal in the same account.
The markup sits inside the price Advantage Gold quotes when you order, so ask for that figure in writing before the account funds, and you pay it once, at the time of the purchase. The page on how Advantage Gold makes money explains where that markup sits, and the spread and premium page shows how it appears on an order.
After the purchase
Advantage Gold ships the metal to the depository you chose, where it is held inside your IRA and appears on the custodian’s statements. Your account executive stays your contact for questions about the order and for anything that comes later. That includes selling, since the company offers a buyback service on request and its FAQ says “We’ll never turn away a customer.” The buyback page explains how a sale works.
Who it fits, and who should look elsewhere
The process suits first-time buyers who want a person to explain each step, and rollover clients who would rather hand the paperwork to a professional. Advantage Gold also offers after-hours support, which helps if you can only talk in the evening.
The $5,000 minimum puts it out of reach below that balance, and there is no live chat, so the conversation runs by phone and contact form. If either of those rules it out, you can compare matched companies and the quiz will point you to dealers that suit you.
When you are ready, reach the account executive team through Advantage Gold's site. To see what the account costs before you dial, use the fee calculator, or start at the full Advantage Gold review.
Common questions
Does Advantage Gold hard-sell you on the phone?
No. The first call is a free one-on-one conversation with an account executive, and the company backs it with a 10-chapter beginner's guide, 10 short FAQ videos and a podcast you can work through before or after you talk. The process is built around explaining how a Gold IRA works before any metals are chosen.
How long does it take to open an Advantage Gold account?
The application takes about 30 minutes or less with an account executive. It is completed online, and the custodian application, client agreement and financial statement are e-signed.
How long does an Advantage Gold rollover take?
Once your current plan's statement is sent in, the account is funded in a few days. The custodian contacts your old plan administrator and moves the money for you.
Who holds the metals in an Advantage Gold IRA?
You choose a custodian, STRATA Trust Company or Equity Trust Company, and a depository, Brink's Global Services or Delaware Depository. Advantage Gold buys the metals, packs and insures them, and ships them to the depository.
Do I need to have my old account details ready?
Yes. Have a recent statement from your current plan on hand, because Advantage Gold asks for it during the rollover step so the custodian can contact the old administrator.
Ready to talk to Advantage Gold?
Advantage Gold is a paid partner. Details on our disclosure page.