Disclaimer: Some or all of the companies reported here may provide compensation to us, at no cost to our readers. This is how we keep our reporting free for readers. Compensation and detailed analysis are what determines how companies appear below.
Choosing the right bullion dealer can feel like navigating a labyrinth, especially with so many options vying for your attention.
Among the top contenders are SD Bullion and JM Bullion, two giants in the precious metals industry.
But how do you decide which one is the best fit for your investment goals?
In this comprehensive comparison, we delve into the key features, benefits, and potential drawbacks of each, helping you make an informed decision.
Read on to discover which bullion dealer stands out and why this choice could significantly impact your financial future.
Before we get started, investing your savings is a serious task. When it comes to adding precious metals to your portfolio, how do you know which companies to trust?
That is why we have researched every company in the industry and selected the very few with the highest customer service standards.
This way you can easily compare the best companies in the business, and choose one that fits your needs and investment goals.
Read the list to see if either SD Bullion or JM Bullion passed our strict customer service standards to become one of our top recommendations.
Or
Get a FREE Gold Information Kit from our #1 recommendation, by clicking the button below:
Protect Your Retirement Savings - Tax and Penalty Free!
Both of these dealers give you the ability to buy physical gold and have your purchase shipped to your home or stored directly in a high-security vault. Buying physical gold isn't the same as investing in gold ETFs or mining stocks.
You need to work with an established dealer to make a purchase. The following guide is an in-depth comparison between SD Bullion and JM Bullion concerning their features and services, shipping, fees, storage options, and buyback policies.
What Is SD Bullion?
SD Bullion was founded in 2012 and has since grown to be among the most popular gold and silver dealers. While they provide customers with a selection of coins, they specialize in bullion.
This company was started by the individuals who created Silver Doctors, which is a website that provides investors with the latest trends and details about the precious metal market.
Along with gold and silver bullion bars, you can also buy coins from a wide range of precious metals, the primary of which include:
The gold bars available at SD Bullion are mainly derived from Ohio Precious Metals, Royal Canadian Mint, and other key producers. While they have a more limited stock of gold and silver bars compared to other dealers, they offer the lowest rates over the spot price for their inventory.
They're also known for providing fantastic customer service. You can speak with a representative by submitting an online form, chatting with them online, or calling them by phone.
Primary Features
In the decade since SD Bullion was founded, more than $2 billion in transactions have taken place on the platform. While they offer some of the lowest prices for silver and gold bullion, a low price doesn't automatically indicate low quality.
They only work with reputable suppliers and mints to make sure that their offerings meet the high standards investors have. They also provide competitive buyback prices that are close to the current market value.
Shipping
SD Bullion ships to American investors through UPS, FedEx, or USPS. When you make a domestic order that's valued at more than $199, you'll receive free shipping.
If the order is less than $199, shipping has a flat fee of $9.95. When you make a purchase from an international location, the costs will be calculated during the checkout process. Taxes may be included.
If you insure a package, you'll need to provide a signature during delivery. Not giving a signature could completely void the insurance policy that the package comes with. They provide all of their customers with a tracking number that allows for simple monitoring of where the package is and when it will arrive.
While it's possible to return a shipment to SD Bullion, reimbursements aren't guaranteed, which is why they don't encourage customers to make returns. If you choose to request a return within three days after you receive your purchase, SD Bullion may accept your request.
If your return is approved, you'll need to ship your purchase back to SD Bullion in the original wrapping and condition that it arrived in. You must also pay shipping expenses. SD Bullion may also charge customers for any market loss that has occurred in the interim.
If the gold bars you decide to return have dropped in price since you made the purchase, you'll likely be tasked with paying the difference. A stocking fee could also be charged depending on the payment method you use. If you paid with a credit card or PayPal, the fee is 5%. Other payments come with a 3% fee.
Services
If you read our SD Bullion review, you will see that they offer a wide range of services that you can take advantage of. Their precious metal products mainly include silver, platinum, and gold coins and bars.
They also offer copper, palladium, and numerous types of accessories. Some of the accessories you can purchase include survival food, water filters, and vaults.
Keep in mind, however, that SD Bullion doesn't provide customers with IRA services. Instead, they've partnered with an IRA custodian that clients can use when they want to place precious metals in an IRA. If a customer chooses to sell their silver or gold to SD Bullion, they will charge storage fees.
Additional Fees
You can store your platinum, silver, or gold for a price that's as low as $9.99 each month. The rate you must pay per year depends on the type of metal you invest in. You can expect rates of:
Storage Options
A couple different storage options are available once you purchase gold, silver, or platinum. For one, your order can be transported directly to a repository storage account, after which it will be added to your balance. You could also choose to have your order shipped to your home.
SD Bullion helps customers open a repository storage account. As mentioned previously, storage costs start at $9.99 per month. However, the first three months of storage are free.
Our Rating
Pros & Cons
Before you make a purchase with SD Bullion, there are some pros and cons that you should be aware of. The main benefits of buying from this gold dealer include:
There are also a few areas where SD Bullion is lacking, which include:
What Is JM Bullion?
Founded in 2011, JM Bullion is a popular online gold dealer that offers numerous gold coins and bars that originated in Mexico, South Africa, and the US.
Platinum and silver are also available. They list the pricing for all of their products on their website, which allows customers to determine what they'll pay before starting the process.
Primary Features
If you wish to purchase silver, gold, or platinum bullion, JM Bullion allows you to buy bars that range from 1-10 ounces. You can also purchase copper or palladium in bulk when using the JM Bullion website. They aim to offer competitive pricing for all of the precious metals they sell.
When you're looking to add gold or silver coins to your investment portfolio, you can select from different gradings and countries of origin.
For instance, the JM Bullion inventory is stocked with coins from Britain, China, Canada, the US, Mexico, and numerous countries in Europe.
You can also purchase silver rounds, which are popular among collectors. These aren't considered to be legal tender but are great for people who are new to silver and gold investments and simply want to dip their toes in.
It's possible to sell any precious metals you own to JM Bullion as well. However, this process is somewhat different than it is with other gold dealers. You can lock in a pricing guarantee for the silver or gold you buy, after which you confirm the sale and have the shipment delivered.
This entire process can be done without assistance from an advisor. Keep in mind, however, that the product you wish to sell needs to be listed if you want to take advantage of the automated buyback feature. If your exact product isn't listed, you may need to contact a specialist by email or phone.
JM Bullion also offers loans, which will be leveraged against your gold. This solution is designed to provide borrowers with easy access to cash without needing to sell any of the silver or gold they own. If you repay the loan on time, the precious metals you own will remain in your possession.
Shipping
When you buy anything from JM Bullion, you'll receive free shipping for any order over $199. All orders below $199 come with a $9.95 shipping fee.
You can also choose to upgrade the shipping method you choose at checkout, which ensures that the bars or coins you purchase will be delivered at a faster rate. Keep in mind that they only ship to US addresses, which include military addresses and PO boxes.
JM Bullion mainly ships with USPS and UPS but will use other carriers from time to time. Your products are put in protective packaging before being placed in a parcel that has ample packing material to keep the products from moving during the shipping process. A tracking number is also provided within one day after the payment has cleared.
While they have a return policy, it's only available if you request a return within five days. You'll also be tasked with paying for any market losses that have occurred since you made the purchase. JM Bullion only accepts returns above $1,000.
Services
If you invest in precious metals with JM Bullion, you can buy an array of different products, which include jewelry and rare coins. Every product that they sell is listed online. When taking a look at their gold products, they offer a wide selection of gold coins and bars, which include the:
You can purchase gold bars in varying weights and shapes. These bars are developed by authorized mints, which means that they are just as legal as gold coins. A few examples of the types of bullion bars that are available through JM Bullion include Credit Suisse gold bars and RMC gold bars.
If you're interested in their silver products, they have rounds, coins, and bars. Their silver bullion is more affordable than what you'd find with most other precious metal dealers.
When browsing the JM Bullion website, you might also notice that they sell gold that can be placed in self-directed IRA accounts. They'll inform you if the gold you wish to purchase can be added to an IRA. Some of their other services include a buyback feature, collectibles, and an automated savings plan.
Additional Fees
Before you invest with JM Bullion, you should be aware of the fees you'll need to pay. If you want to have your gold shipped to a storage facility or your home, you may need to pay a small shipping fee for orders below $199.
However, they don't charge any commissions or extra fees. They obtain profits from a relatively small spread that's charged over the market rate.
Storage Options
JM Bullion offers numerous storage options to customers who purchase any of their precious metals. They have partnered exclusively with Transcontinental Depository Services (TDS) to make sure that your precious metals are safely stored in vaults.
You can, however, choose to store the metals yourself. TDS offers storage locations in Toronto, Las Vegas, Singapore, and Zurich.
Once you open an account on the TDS website, you can choose from one of the storage locations mentioned above. After you purchase gold, silver, or other precious metals from JM Bullion, your holdings will be shipped to the secure vault.
TDS has comprehensive insurance that covers practically everything of note. The metals that are stored in their vaults are directly insured. They also have a commercial insurance policy that takes all risks into account.
Our Rating
Pros & Cons
There are many advantages and a few disadvantages that you'll encounter when you use JM Bullion to buy or sell precious metals.
The primary benefits include:
The main drawbacks to using JM Bullion include:
Final Thoughts
These two gold dealers offer comparable features and services. They also charge similar rates for their gold, silver, and other metals. The main advantage to using JM Bullion instead of SD Bullion is that they offer a wider selection of gold.
However, SD Bullion provides international shipping. Because of their similarities, it's highly recommended that you compare the pros and cons of each to identify which one is right for you.
Remember to read our list of the Top Gold Companies.
>> Click HERE to read our Best Precious Metals IRA Companies list <<
Or
Get a FREE Silver & Gold Information Kit from our #1 recommendation, by clicking the button below:
At Digital Financing Task Force, we provide research and analysis for people that want to take control of their financial future and protect the savings that they have.