First Fidelity Reserve Review

Who Is First Fidelity Reserve?

First Fidelity Reserve is a retail coin dealer. They have both a physical location and online sales of precious metals, numismatics, and rare coins. They offer bullion coins, bars, and coins for both collectors and investors.

The company was started in 1988 in Beaumont, TX. From what we found on Facebook, Google, and their website it appears that their business is primarily in numismatics. While they offer numismatics and a few rare coins, they do offer other gold and silver products that are IRA approved. As "The Official Bullion and Rare Coin Partner of Amac" they appear to be offering members of Amac a one-of-a-kind 2023 AMAC Appeal to Heaven Silver Round which is .999 Fine Silver 1 oz round at a price today of $26.62 by Credit Card or $25.60 for check/wire transfer. In addition, members can get 3.5% over the spot on the 2023 $50 American Gold Eagle Coin. 

Amac (American of Mature American Citizens) is an association for those Americans who believe in the founding Fathers' vision for our Constitutional Republic. Started by Dan Weber in 2007, AMAC grew from concerns for America's seniors, and the realization that good information, trusted insight, reliable news, and an all-American source of grounded guidance were missing. Their mission states "Driven by the vision of our nation’s Founders, we strive to enrich the lives of all Americans by defending and upholding the inalienable rights secured by our Constitution, providing value through exceptional benefits and services, and delivering trustworthy news and information".

Before you run off to First Fidelity Reserve to buy gold and silver, finish reading this review. Their maybe a better Gold Dealer option that would be a better fit for you. 

First Fidelity Reserve:

Address: First Fidelity Reserve, 130 Shakespeare Beaumont, Texas 77706

Telephone: 800-336-1630

Email: customerservice@firstfidelityreserve.com

Website: www.firstfidelityreserve.com

While First Fidelity Reserve is a long-standing business both online and in a physical address in Beaumont, TX, they do have some negative reviews and overall star values with several different organizations. Read on to see what is said on the BBB, Google Business Profile, and other review sources.

Before we get started with First Fidelity Reserve Review:

It's tough to determine which precious metals dealer is reputable and reliable for your investment needs. The Plug aims to provide you with as much useful information as possible to shorten your decision-making process. The Best Gold IRA Dealers want to educate and inform their clients. We've broken down a list of the Top Gold and Silver IRA Companies for your review. 

About First Fidelity Reserve

When you want to buy rare coins and numismatics look at First Fidelity Reserve as a viable option. Their website has products ranging from unique collectibles to IRA-approved coins. 

When buying coins, especially rare coins and numismatics you want to know the guy valuing your items is knowledgeable and experienced. 

At First Fidelity Reserve Dr. Mike Fuljenz is providing that security. 

Owner and Expert:

Dr. Mike Fuljenz, is renowned as America's Gold Expert® and the esteemed Numismatic Consultant at First Fidelity Reserve®. With an exceptional track record, Dr. Fuljenz has garnered over 60 prestigious national and regional awards for his remarkable contributions to educating and safeguarding consumers in the realm of rare coins and precious metals.

His unparalleled expertise has been widely recognized, earning him accolades such as the Best of the Year awards from both the Numismatic Literary Guild and the Press Club of Southeast Texas. In 2013, he received the distinguished Clemy Award, the highest honor bestowed by the NLG. Dr. Mike Fuljenz is frequently sought after as an expert guest on prominent business and personal finance programs like Fox Business Network and CNBC. His insights have been featured in esteemed publications including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Kiplinger's, and the Los Angeles Times, making him a trusted source within the industry.

The wealth of knowledge and experience possessed by Dr. Mike Fuljenz, coupled with his numerous accolades and distinguished service, make him an invaluable asset for numismatic and rare coin buyers. Working with a company under his leadership ensures access to unparalleled expertise, consumer protection, and a commitment to excellence in the field of rare coins and precious metals.

Benefits of First Fidelity:

• Free insurance during the shipping of precious metals
• Signature required to confirm delivery
• Pay by Credit or Debit Card - for quick and easy shopping
• Option to Pay by Personal Check  or Bank Wire - holds required prior to shipping
• Free shipping for online orders over $199.00
• 30-Day 100% Satisfaction Refund Policy - check the fine print, this doesn't include bullion or special orders - verify before you buy
• Discount of 3.85% if you pay by check, money order, cashier's check, or wire for online store orders. 
• Willing to Trade bullion or coins
• Buy Gold, Silver, Platinum, and coins

First Fidelity Reserve's Products

Featured Products:

Latest Products:

Rare Coins:

When you are shopping, the First Fidelity Reserve offers online pricing so you can see what the price is and make a purchase online if you choose. Contact the office if you are looking for a unique or one-of-a-kind coin, something other than what is offered online or if you wish to sell your numismatics and rare coins.

Gold and Silver Coins Offered Online:

How to Buy Gold and Silver from First Fidelity Reserve

If you find a coin, round, or bar on the First Fidelity Reserve website you can purchase it immediately by clicking Add to Cart. If you are not comfortable purchasing online contact First Fidelity on their 800 number and talk with a representative. 

First Fidelity Reserve takes payment online via credit card, cashier's check, personal check, or a money wire. Here are some of the requirements, check on their website for more information. 

• Open an account with First Fidelity Reserve - get the benefits of pre-authorized credit cards and historical payment processing. In addition, you can get special offers and promotions via email as an account holder. 
• Pay by credit card or personal check, money order, cashier's check, or bank wire.
• 3.85% discount if you pay by check, money order, cashier's check, or wire - discount does not apply to credit card transactions, phone orders, and some promotional offers
• Checks, money orders, cashier's checks, or wire transactions may require holding your metals before delivery for up to 15 days or longer. 
• 30-Day Cancellation Policy - restrictions apply - 100% guarantee of satisfaction - verify if your order qualifies
• First Fidelity Reserve offers FREE shipping for orders $199 or more
• First Fidelity Reserve insures all packages during shipping and requires a signature for certain transaction limits. 
• Transaction Prices are Locked In at the Time of Purchase for online or credit card orders - your payment is due in 5 business days from the date of order if you are paying by check or money order. However, your payment is locked in by Credit Card even if you are paying with a check.

Is First Fidelity Reserve a Reputable Gold Dealer?

When you consider the term "reputable" as a company having a good reputation, then we need to consult the review services and find out what others say about a business. At The Plug, all our reviews include a section that involves checking online review service and looking for complaints along with reading the positive and negative reviews. We base our opinion on the overall consensus of information to determine if the business is "reputable". 

In our research, we found that while First Fidelity Reserve has been in business for over 35 years, there is little found from sources such as Yelp, Trustpilot, TrustLink, or the Business Consumer Alliance. These forums are where many of the reviews are found and complaints are logged. Their Facebook page for the business doesn't even have its "review" feature enabled for customers to provide reviews for others. 

Two places where we found information for the business were the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and the Google Business Profile. Here is what we found from these sources:

Better Business Bureau:

• Customer Reviews of 4 
• Overall Star Rating of 3 out of 5
• A+ Accredited Business (this has nothing to do with the reviews)
• 5 Complaints closed in the last 3 years
• 1 Complaint closed in the last 12 months

The complaint this year was based on bad customer service. The complaint was resolved to the complainant's satisfaction. Another complaint was about the timing of shipping. It appears both responses by the company are similar, that the product wasn't available for immediate shipping. Check complaint information by clicking here.

Google Business Profile:

• 42 Google Reviews
• Overall Star Rating of 3.7 out of 5

The most recent review left spoke about the company being a Coin Collector and telling the reader to be watchful of the coins they are trying to sell you. Many reviews are positive 5 out of 5 stars with customers satisfied with their transaction. Another complaint said they offered 23% below what a customer had purchased the coins for originally. Check out their Google Business Profile by clicking here.

First Fidelity Reserve is a member of their local Chamber of Commerce and has 39 reviews here with a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Special Note About Reviews: when checking the reputation of a business review services are one way to get to know a business. The more reviews the more responses you can read. But, be cautious of reviews. There are services businesses will use to pump up positive "fake" reviews to get a higher Star Rating. In addition, the competition or just internet trolls will put negative reviews on pages, even though there was no transaction, just to make a business look bad. So, use reviews, but use them as part of your understanding of a business and your trust in a company will only come from the actual transaction YOU have with them. 

If you are buying gold or silver within your SDIRA, then here are the two companies we recommend to start with:

Knowing what others experienced with First Fidelity Reserve you may choose to find an alternative Gold Dealer for your transactions. There are hundreds of online gold dealers and there are extremely reputable Gold IRA companies. Choosing which is best for you is based on your buying plan. Are you looking to conserve your wealth and cash and buy gold or silver as a hedge against inflation and the devaluation of the dollar? Then you may need to look at The Plugs Best Gold IRA Dealers and contact one of them before you buy. 

If you are looking to just buy gold or silver coins for stacking, check out these online retailers 👇👇👇👇👇of gold and silver and see if they are currently offering what you are buying. 

Buying Gold and Silver in a Self-Directed IRA

The precious metals market can be challenging and confusing at times. The decision you have to make is whether you are an investor looking to use a retirement account like a self-directed IRA or are you a collector who likes to own numismatics and rare coins. You could be both, but few are because of the knowledge and educational requirements to be an informed buyer.

A gold or silver IRA is a great option if you are wanting to invest with existing retirement savings by placing a portion of that savings into physical metals like gold and silver. There are tax advantages of holding metals in an IRA including pushing off paying tax on the appreciation of assets until later when your tax bracket is lower. 

The SDIRA is self-managed by you, with the assistance of a custodian who tracks the purchases and completes the necessary paperwork to make sure you are staying compliant with the IRS rules. 

When choosing a self-directed IRA for your physical gold or silver you will want to work with the most reputable companies. Gold Dealers who specialize in Rollovers and precious metals that are IRA/IRS approved. 

Is a Gold IRA right for you? That is a personal decision that you should not be pressured into deciding or investing right away. Getting informed is best and then choosing a reputable Gold Dealer is where you want to start. Our 5 Best Gold IRA Companies article would be a good source to see who we believe are good and reputable Gold Dealers. 

Does First Fidelity Reserve specialize in Gold IRAs? Based on our research they know Gold IRA and they sell products that would qualify for a SDIRA. But, they are a coin dealer and therefore when you work with several numismatic, rare coins, and bullion you cannot be an expert and have all the necessary qualified coins for an SDIRA. But, don't overlook them as a good source to check prices against other coin dealers. 

Final Thoughts on First Fidelity Reserve

While we do believe First Fidelity Reserve can assist buyers of gold and silver products, their overall reputation of providing the best customer service is about average. In addition, their premiums above spot are many items online appear to be higher than competitive online retailers. In the precious metals industry, there are few companies with no complaints. If the business has been around long enough they probably have several complaints. 

As a business that started as a coin store in Texas, they moved to the internet to sell products online. Many local dealers have gone through this process over the past 10 years and these local coin shops are a good source for education if you can get into their stores. 

We think they are not a shady business, but they are a business and that means making money. They offer discounts to Amac members, which is a good thing, but make sure you are not overpaying on "specialty" items or numismatics that are worth little more than the spot price of the metal. 

Coins, Bullion, Proofs, Numismatics, and Rare Coins are all valued differently. The spot price can tell you what the melt price of that item might be worth, but when you are working with rare coins and numismatics you are buying based on rarity, demand, and supply. Premiums will vary, buying IRA-approved bullion is some of the easiest to prices to understand. You are paying a spot price + premium for this type of coin or bar. But rare coins and numismatics can have a higher premium because of the coins. 

Be cautious when buying gold or silver or any other precious metals. Do your due diligence before buying. If you're not sure what questions you should ask, start with these 42 questions we put together. 

The Plug nor any company we speak of here on our website are not investment advisors. The Plug is a source for readers to gain an understanding of precious metals and how they can be purchased through an IRA or with savings. No person should buy precious metals if they don't understand how they can be of benefit to them in the future. Rarely, can you buy precious metals coins, or bars and make a profit in the short term.