We live in an increasingly competitive world and as companies push more of their marketing messages out into the ether, many are turning to Reddit as a way of getting actual insights on products in an environment that, for now at least, is relatively unsullied by constant marketing pushes. Here, we look specifically at the gold/precious metal investing niche, comparing some of the biggest providers and dealers out there and getting some quotes from actual Reddit users who have experience with the brand.
BullionVault (vaulted gold platform)
BullionVault gives private investors direct ownership of allocated bullion stored in professional vaults in locations such as Zurich, London, New York, Toronto and Singapore. It publishes daily audits and offers withdrawal restrictions and insurance, with security FAQs outlining how account access and storage work. Fees are transparent and storage is charged as a small annual percentage, which some users compare favourably with ETFs. In addition to their service, they also have intuitive and up to date precious metal charts that track the market in real time.
“They’re absolutely legit.”
“It works well, but it is not cheap.”
A few Redditors also compare storage costs across services. One user who moved from BullionVault to a competitor noted paying 0.12% per year for gold storage before switching for yield. That figure is consistent with BullionVault’s own fee schedule at the time of the comment.
The Royal Mint (UK sovereign mint and bullion dealer)
The Royal Mint sells Britannia coins and bars online and lets investors choose between coins, bars and a digital bullion option. As a national mint it has strong brand recognition, yet community chatter often points out that buying direct from the mint can be pricier than from dealers.
“I like the Mint… Having said that, it’s about the most expensive place to buy coins/metals from.”
“The RM are rarely, if ever, the best price to buy their own bullion products.”
If you’re collecting or want new-issue UK bullion with full provenance, the Mint is compelling. For the tightest premiums, Redditors often suggest shopping around UK dealers first.
BullionByPost (UK dealer)
BullionByPost is a large UK and EU retailer of bullion coins and bars. Reddit threads frequently vouch for its legitimacy and straightforward delivery, though there are occasional complaints about shipping delays, particularly cross-border.
“They are 100% a genuine dealer… I’ve bought from them.”
“I bought gold… almost three weeks… still not received anything… I will never buy from them again.”
As with any mail-order bullion, factor in delivery times and choose insured shipping. The positive consensus is strong, but timing and local logistics can influence the experience.
APMEX (US dealer that ships internationally)
APMEX is one of the best-known US online bullion dealers. Community feedback consistently highlights reliability and breadth of stock, balanced by frequent comments about higher premiums unless you catch a sale or pay by cheque or wire.
“Apmex is one of the most trusted online bullion exchanges… quick to remedy [issues].”
“APMEX is fine… reliable, convenient, and somewhat more expensive than everyone else.”
APMEX promotes its customer satisfaction publicly, though buyers on Reddit still advise comparing total cost after payment method and shipping.
JM Bullion (US dealer)
JM Bullion is another large US retailer with a wide selection. Many Redditors report smooth orders and prompt shipping. Others point out that premiums can be elevated on certain items, so it pays to compare products across dealers before checkout.
“I have used JM Bullion nearly a dozen times with excellent results.”
“It’s legit… a little pricey… all 3 are true.”
The take-home from community threads is consistent: JM is reputable, but the value depends on what you’re buying that day.
OneGold (vaulted metals app by APMEX and Sprott)
OneGold offers digital purchase and storage of allocated metals, created by APMEX with Sprott’s involvement. Fans praise the app’s convenience and auto-invest features. Critical posts focus on individual account and support issues, so experiences vary.
“It is a super intuitive, convenient and effective way to build a position in gold.”
“I HIGHLY DO NOT RECOMMEND… my account was locked… still waiting on my money to be refunded.”
If you use OneGold, set expectations on KYC, storage fees and redemption timelines, and keep documentation for support follow-ups.
How to choose
If you want direct, allocated vault ownership with daily audits and global vault choice, a specialised platform like BullionVault fits well.
If you prefer coins and bars in hand or want to hunt for low premiums, established dealers such as BullionByPost, APMEX or JM Bullion are the starting point. For app-first vaulted exposure, OneGold can be convenient, but read recent user threads and fee schedules carefully. Always compare the all-in cost: premium over spot, storage, payment fees, shipping, and any withdrawal or redemption charges.
