Lear Capital vs Priority Gold: Fees, Minimums, Buyback and Complaints Compared (2026)

Lear Capital publishes its gold IRA account fees, $315 in year one and $235 after, and a 2%-35% spread range; Priority Gold publishes neither, as of September 2026. Priority Gold publishes other things Lear does not: price ranges for plain bullion, an 18% fee to resell collector coins and cancellation windows of up to 14 days. Which of these matters for your money?

Lear's rollover page and Priority Gold's articles both name Equity Trust Company as custodian, and both name the Delaware Depository as the vault (October 2026). A custodian is the trust company that holds your IRA. If both use Equity Trust, the yearly account bills land close together. The real cost is the markup, the amount added above the metal's value, which Lear calls a spread.

Both are among the gold IRA companies SafeOunce checks against the same records. This page compares costs, written terms and records, then gives a verdict by situation, not an overall winner.

The five numbers that separate the two companies most are listed below.

• Account fees: $315 in year one and $235 after at Lear vs not published at Priority Gold (Lear's IRA FAQ, November 6, 2026; Priority's site, October 2, 2026).
• Markup: a 2% to 35% spread in Lear's contract, with a 2022 average of 23.4%, vs 4% to 7% over spot for bullion coins at Priority Gold, with no prices online (Lear terms of December 2025; Priority catalog, September 29, 2026).
• Time to cancel: 24 hours after the invoice at Lear vs 3 business days to 14 days by state at Priority Gold (September 29, 2026).
• BBB complaints per 100 reviews: 22.1 at Lear (September 29, 2026) vs 5.8 at Priority Gold (November 6, 2026), SafeOunce computations from BBB counts.
• Public money paid: $14.25 million in Lear's 2021-2023 settlements and bankruptcy customer fund, with no admission of wrongdoing, vs none found for Priority Gold (searches of September 29, 2026).

Lear Capital vs Priority Gold at a Glance: 18 Facts Side by Side#

The table compares the same 18 facts for Lear Capital and Priority Gold, each from company documents, a court or regulator record or the BBB, with the date checked. The BBB is the Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit that grades how firms handle complaints. BBB accreditation is a paid membership, separate from the grade.

The depository is the vault that stores IRA metal. Non-segregated storage pools your coins with others of the same type. Segregated storage keeps your own coins apart.

Company website links in this table: SafeOunce earns nothing from these links.

Table T1: Lear Capital vs Priority Gold: 18 facts, checked September 29 to November 6, 2026. The rating and official-site rows are not counted in the 18.

"Not published" means the company's website does not show the item; ask for it in writing. Our Lear Capital review covers the company alone, including its bankruptcy.

Other comparison pages print different Lear numbers. The Gold IRA Digest (April 17, 2026) shows a $280 setup fee, $3,280 over 10 years and a $7,500 minimum "from third-party reporting". Lear's FAQ shows $315, $235 and no minimum.

The Priority Gold review does the same for Priority Gold.

How Do Lear Capital and Priority Gold Fees Compare?#

Lear Capital and Priority Gold end up with yearly account fees within about $30 of each other over ten years, so the markup on the coins decides which costs more.

Account fees are the yearly bills for the custodian and the vault. The markup is a share of every dollar you spend on metal. On $100,000, 1 point of spread costs $1,000, more than four years of Lear's $235 fee. Our guide to gold IRA fees lists every cost layer, from setup to exit.

Account fees: $315 at Lear vs none published at Priority Gold, with the same custodian named#

Lear's IRA FAQ lists $315 for the first year and $235 for each later year, while Priority Gold lists no account fees, as of November 6, 2026.

Both are flat fees: the same dollar amount at any account size. Lear's rollover page names Equity Trust Company as its preferred IRA custodian. Its IRA FAQ named "Self Directed IRA Services, Inc.", the former name of STRATA Trust Company (October 2, 2026). Priority Gold's articles name Equity Trust (October 2, 2026). Neither company says which fee schedule applies.

The table sets Lear's published fees beside Equity Trust's own metals-only schedule, over 10 years and at exit.

Equity Trust columns: metals-only schedule FS-0004-05 Rev. 081726 ($50 setup, $125 a year, $110 non-segregated or $160 segregated storage, $30 per sale, $250 closing). It applies to Priority Gold only if Equity Trust uses that schedule for your account; ask.

Lear's $235 for later years equals Equity Trust's own $125 yearly fee plus $110 pooled storage. Lear's first year is $30 higher than Equity Trust's $285, and Lear's FAQ does not itemize it. If Equity Trust's metals-only schedule applies at both, the two companies land $30 apart over ten years. The four Equity Trust precious metals IRA fees schedules are compared on its own page.

LendEDU (February 9, 2026) also named STRATA for Priority Gold. STRATA's public schedule is higher: $265 or $325 a year plus $75 per trade and $250 to close (August 31, 2026). Segregated at STRATA, 10 years with one purchase, one sale and closing cost $3,650, against $3,180 at Equity Trust. Ask each company which custodian applies to you.

The markup: Lear's 2% to 35% spread vs Priority Gold's 4% to 7% over spot#

Lear's contract says its spreads "generally range between 2% and 35% of the quoted purchase price"; Priority Gold's catalog says bullion coins "typically run 4-7% over spot". Priority prints no price, and the two numbers measure different things.

Lear's spread is its price to you minus its own cost. Its terms (last updated December 2025) say the spread "covers LC's operating expenses ... and LC's profit". Its reputation FAQ says metal-related fees "start at 1%" (October 2, 2026). Lear is one of 4 of 15 operating sellers we track that show live coin prices online (October 2, 2026); your per-coin spread appears on the voice confirmation and invoice.

Lear's Chapter 11 plan (Doc 694, filed June 5, 2023) puts its 2022 average spread at 23.4% and its stated maximum at 33%. The plan adds: "The Debtor contends its spreads are consistent with its competitors." It also shows net margins of 2.51% in 2020 and 2.77% in 2021. On $100,000 at 23.4%, using the 2021 margin, that is about $2,770 of profit and $20,630 of selling costs (SafeOunce computation).

Spot price is today's market price for one ounce of raw metal; a premium over spot is the amount added above it. Priority's catalog FAQ (September 29, 2026) says bars "usually" carry 2% to 4% and bullion coins 4% to 7%. Proofs and limited issues carry "significantly higher premiums".

Priority's catalog says "Call us for a live quote", though its reviews page promises "plainly stated spreads". A 4% to 7% premium equals 3.8% to 6.5% of your price, so $100,000 buys $93,458 to $96,154 of gold at spot. The CFTC's 2020 advisory (release 8215-20) puts typical bullion premiums at 5% to 10% over spot and numismatic premiums at 40% to 200%. Its 2024 "10 Things" guide says legitimate spreads are often under 20%. Lear's 2022 average of 23.4% sits above that line.

The table shows what each company's number measures.

Our explainer on gold IRA markups and spreads shows how to get the number in writing.

How much must gold rise to cover the markup?#

At Lear's own 2022 average spread of 23.4%, gold must rise about 37% before a buyer who sells back is even; at 5%, about 10%. A bid is the price a dealer pays you. The gap between cost and bid comes from Lear's own contract example.

Buyback gap from Lear's own contract example: $32 cost, about $30.50 bid (95.3%). Priority's spread and bid are not published. Metal price rise only; excludes account fees (SafeOunce computation).

Test your own quote in the gold IRA break-even calculator.

Up to $15,000 in free coins vs up to $15,000 in free silver: what each bonus is worth#

Both companies advertise bonuses of up to $15,000, and neither publishes the spend needed for the full amount or which coins qualify (Lear, September 29; Priority, November 6, 2026). Lear's homepage offers "Up to $15,000 in Free Coins" (September 29, 2026), with no terms published. Priority's offer page says new IRA clients "can receive up to $15,000 in free silver". It adds: "The amount of free silver scales with the size of your investment" (November 6, 2026).

Bonus metal is metal added free to an order. Its value to you is what a dealer would pay for it, not its retail price. The table values a full $15,000 bonus as a hypothetical case.

Applies to Lear's free coins only if they carry a similar spread; Lear does not say which coins it gives. SafeOunce computation, not a quote.

Priority does not say how its free silver is paid for; Lear's answer is below. How free silver gold IRA promotions are paid for is explained step by step.

Lear's two other offers are listed below (re-read November 6, 2026).

• Fee waiver: year one free from $25,000, years one and two from $50,000, years one to three from $75,000. It is marked "*Limited Mintage coins only" (coins from a small production run, sold at a higher price) and paid by check "after first month in storage". It is worth $315, $550 or $785.
• $500 credit: offered with the free investor kit, usable for "shipping, insurance charges or IRA custodial fees".

Lear's three-year waiver ($785) is worth less than one point of spread on $100,000 ($1,000). Priority's other offer is "complimentary shipping and fully insured storage" for qualifying orders, with no length or order size stated. Waivers at other companies are valued in no-fee gold IRA offers.

Before paying review sites, Lear's affiliate contract (August 1, 2025) subtracts "the cost of any giveaways provided to induce the sale (e.g., reimbursed IRA custodial fees, bonus precious metals)" from gross profit. In plain English: the bonus is paid from the markup on what you buy.

The FTC Guide on the word "Free", 16 CFR 251.1(b)(1), warns sellers against recovering a free item's cost "by marking up the price of the article which must be purchased". Neither company publishes the price of the coins that come with its bonus, so you cannot check this.

What a $100,000 gold IRA costs over 10 years at each company#

On $100,000, ten years of account fees cost about $2,710 at Lear and $2,680 at Priority Gold's named custodian, while the spread can add $6,594 to $38,047. Both fee figures include Equity Trust's $30 sale fee and $250 closing fee.

The two columns differ by $30 at every spread. The spread on your invoice decides the total.

Your first custodian statement values metal at market value, not at what you paid. At a 23.4% spread, $100,000 shows as about $76,600 of metal. Our gold IRA statement guide explains why.

Minimum Investment: None Published at Lear Capital vs $10,000 at Priority Gold#

Lear Capital publishes no gold IRA minimum, while Priority Gold's FAQ says its minimum is "typically $5,000 for cash purchases and $10,000 for IRAs", as of September 29, 2026. Priority's FAQ adds that this "may vary based on product selection and account type". Forbes Advisor reported a $25,000 IRA rollover minimum "according to a Priority Gold spokesperson" (July 20, 2026). Priority's catalog FAQ says direct purchases have "no fixed minimum", while its offers need an unpublished "minimum qualifying investment".

Lear's pages hint at size without setting a floor. Lear covers the $50 setup above $10,000, its fee waivers start at $25,000, and its affiliate contract counts a lead only above $10,000 of interest. The IRS sets no minimum. The 2026 contribution limit is $7,500, plus $1,100 at age 50 or older (IRS Notice 2025-67).

A transfer, or a direct rollover from a 401(k), moves money between custodians with no 60-day clock. An indirect rollover pays you first, starts that clock and has 20% withheld from plan payouts (IRS Publication 590-A; 26 U.S.C. 3405(c)). We list gold IRA minimums by company for every seller we track.

What each minimum means for yearly fee drag#

At $10,000, a $235 yearly fee takes 2.35% of the balance every year, and segregated storage at $285 takes 2.85%, before any markup. Fee drag is the share of your account the yearly fees take. Account fees are flat, so the drag falls as the balance grows.

Ten years of Lear's fees, $2,430, equal 24.3% of a $10,000 start, against 2.4% of $100,000.

Less than $10,000? A gold ETF may cost less#

Below $10,000, a gold ETF held in an existing IRA usually costs less per year than either company's account fees. A gold ETF is a fund that trades like a stock and holds gold for you. GLDM charges 0.10% a year, IAU 0.25% and GLD 0.40%, per their fund filings (2025-2026). The costs are set out in gold IRA vs gold ETF.

On $10,000, those fund fees come to $10 to $40 a year, against $235 (2.35%) at Lear.

An ETF gives you shares in a gold trust, not coins in your name. Cheaper routes are on best gold IRA companies for small investors.

Buyback and Cancellation: What Each Company Puts in Writing#

Lear puts its whole contract online, including a 24-hour cancellation right, while Priority Gold publishes its buyback policy and state refund notices but not the customer agreement you sign. Why does the written wording matter more than the phone call? Disputes are decided on the signed documents. Lear's contract requires private arbitration. Priority's agreement is not public, but a Texas court sent one customer suit to arbitration in 2026, according to the docket as summarized by Trellis.

Buyback wording: "the law prohibits LC from guaranteeing" vs "we cannot promise you a set price"#

Neither company promises a buyback price: Lear's contract says the law prohibits a buyback guarantee, and Priority Gold's policy promises "a market", not "a set price". A buyback is the dealer buying your metal back when you sell. A wholesale bid is the price dealers pay each other, below retail.

The table sets out each company's exact buyback wording.

Priority's site gives two price bases for buying back: spot plus a premium, and the wholesale bid. Ask which one applies, in writing. Neither company publishes its bid. Other firms' wording is in gold IRA buyback programs compared.

Lear's no-spread buyback term is also a court-filed promise: in its Chapter 11 plan, Lear committed "not to charge anything or make any profit when a customer ... liquidates". Its contract says that "as of the date of the transmission of this Agreement, LC has never refused the opportunity to buyback". A Trustpilot reviewer alleges Lear told him on February 27, 2026, that it was "not doing buy backs at this time". Lear replied that demand surged and "liquidity and processing timelines were affected across the industry, not just at Lear".

Lear's own example shows the gap. A $40 coin with a 20% spread cost Lear $32, and Lear's bid is about $30.50: an instant 23.75% loss. Under our rating method v1.1, both companies score 0 of 2 for the bid method (October 2, 2026).

Liquidation is the custodian's word for selling IRA metal for cash. It costs $30 per sale at Equity Trust's metals-only schedule. Custodian sale fees and taxes are covered on how to sell gold in your IRA.

What does Priority Gold's 18% consignment fee cost on collector coins?#

On $100,000 of collector coins bought at a 35% spread, Priority's consignment route returns $82,000 after five years if retail prices hold, against about $61,953 at a wholesale bid. Priority's policy says: "Priority Gold has a consignment fee of 18% to find and secure another buyer" (November 6, 2026). It covers only "Investment Grade and or Numismatic products" bought from Priority and "held for 60 months or longer". It is "not available for bullion products".

Consignment means the dealer sells your coins for you and keeps a fee. Numismatic coins are collector coins priced for rarity or condition, not just metal.

Hypothetical 35% spread; Priority publishes no spread for these coins. Lear's contract ceiling is also 35%, which gives the same day-one figure at a wholesale bid.

Retail prices must rise 21.95% for consignment to return the full $100,000 ($100,000 ÷ 0.82 = $121,951). Why sellers push collector coins is covered under numismatic coin upsells.

Cancellation: 24 hours after the invoice vs 3 business days to 14 days by state#

Lear gives every buyer 24 hours to cancel after the written invoice; Priority Gold lists 3 business days to 14 days by state, for 37 states and Guam. The invoice is the written bill that lists each coin, its price and your total.

Lear's terms say: "Customer then has 24 hours to cancel the transaction without penalty." They add: "Certain states require longer cancellation periods, which LC honors." According to Lear's plan, the 2021 Los Angeles agreement required "(to most buyers) a 24-hour, no risk cancellation policy".

Lear's price match runs on the same clock. Find a lower price within 24 hours of the invoice and "we will beat or match that price", or you can cancel at no cost (October 2, 2026).

Priority's refund page (September 29, 2026) lists windows from 3 business days to 14 days, the longest in Kentucky for sales from an unsolicited call. It lists nothing for 13 states: Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.

For an IRA, Priority's clock starts on "the date that Priority issues a notice of transfer to Customer (regardless of when Customer obtains actual knowledge of receipt)". In plain English: the clock starts when Priority sends its written notice about your IRA transfer, not when you read it. Outside the window, Priority's disclaimer accepts returns only for "counterfeit coins returned in their original holders within ninety (90) days of purchase". Some of its state notices also give a full refund if goods are "defective, not as represented, or not received as promised" (September 29, 2026).

The IRS gives a separate right. Treas. Reg. 1.408-6 gives you at least 7 days to revoke a new IRA, but that right runs against the custodian, not the dealer. Revocation means undoing the account opening as if it never happened. Our page on how to cancel a gold IRA separates the IRS right from the dealer's terms.

Contracts, custodians and depositories#

Only Lear lets you read the customer contract before you call; Priority Gold's agreement is not on its website, though both name Equity Trust and the Delaware Depository. Arbitration is a private hearing instead of a court. A class action waiver stops you from joining other customers in one case; an opt-out is a written notice that takes you out of such a clause.

Both companies tell buyers to hold metal at least 3 to 5 years, which fits the break-even table. Lear's 15-day quality window means you should check a home delivery of collector coins at once. All ten sellers' clauses are set side by side in gold IRA company contracts compared.

Priority's refund page says: "YOU ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO PAY ANY MONEY UNLESS YOU SIGN THE CUSTOMER AGREEMENT". It adds: "Neither Priority's Customer Agreement nor these State-specific policies disclaim oral representations".

The custodian and vault add their own terms (September 29, 2026). Equity Trust's custodial agreement requires individual arbitration unless you opt out within 65 days of opening. The Delaware Depository's $1 billion all-risk cover plus $100 million contingent cover pays metal value, not the premium you paid, and excludes war, terrorism, cyber events and confiscation. Delaware Depository storage and insurance terms are on its own page.

Neither company acts as your adviser. Lear's contract says Lear "is not an investment or financial advisor, or retirement account fiduciary", and its staff "are commissioned salespersons". Priority's disclaimer says its help "does not create a fiduciary relationship". A fiduciary is someone legally bound to put your interests first.

Both companies' contact terms allow marketing calls; to end Priority's texts, text STOP to 24999 (September 29, 2026). How to stop gold IRA cold calls is on our calls guide.

Complaints, Lawsuits and Regulatory Records Compared#

Lear Capital has paid $14.25 million in settlements and a customer fund, and has 22.1 BBB complaints per 100 reviews (September 29, 2026). Priority Gold has one suit sent to arbitration and 5.8 (November 6, 2026). A settlement is an agreement that ends a case, here with money paid and no admission of guilt. An allegation is a claim that no court or regulator has proven.

BBB and Trustpilot: 22.1 vs 5.8 complaints per 100 reviews#

Lear Capital's BBB profile shows 33 complaints and 149 reviews, or 22.1 per 100 (September 29, 2026); Priority Gold's shows 38 and 653, or 5.8 (November 6, 2026). Lear's rate is about 3.8 times higher (SafeOunce computations; the BBB prints counts, not rates). Complaint density adjusts the raw count for how many customers post on each profile.

Lear column read 2026-09-29 unless marked; Priority column read 2026-11-06. On 2026-09-29, Priority's count gave 5.9.

The BBB marks 4 of Lear's 33 complaints resolved (12%) and 32 of Priority's 38 (84%), on different read dates.

BBB grades say little about price: the BBB's method gives 90 of 100 points to complaint handling. Arbitration keeps serious disputes out of view, and "resolved" and "answered" are labels, not findings. Why star ratings barely separate these firms is covered in BBB, BCA and Trustpilot ratings.

Lear's newer BBB complaints, filed from October 2023 to March 2026 (read October 2, 2026), allege spreads of 30% to 38% that customers said were not clearly explained. One customer wrote that "a 7% markup was discussed on multiple occasions" and 30% was charged (January 24, 2026). Lear's replies say customers were told what they paid on the recorded call and agreed. One reply adds that the fee "falls within the range that appears on his signed contract" (December 24, 2024).

Another customer alleged he asked for 1-ounce Gold Eagles and was sold 139 quarter-ounce coins (January 10, 2024). Lear replied that the two sides had "worked out a solution".

Priority's 38 complaints fall into seven BBB categories: product 17, service or repair 8, sales and advertising 5, customer service 3, delivery 3, billing 1 and order 1. In one complaint (July 15, 2024), a customer says proof Silver Eagles bought at $143.95 each later sold for an average of $72.91. That is 49.4% less per coin (SafeOunce computation from the customer's figures). The BBB marks it resolved. The customer called it "successfully resolved" on July 26, 2024, then wrote on July 30 that this "was premature"; the record does not show the final outcome. Every category is broken down on Priority Gold complaints, lawsuits and BBB record.

Lawsuits and settlements: Lear's $14.25 million vs Priority Gold's one arbitration order#

Lear paid $14.25 million to resolve three government-backed cases about its fees in 2021-2023, including a $5.5 million bankruptcy Customer Fund, without admitting wrongdoing. Priority Gold faces one customer suit that a court sent to arbitration. A consent decree is a court-approved settlement.

The table lists every case we found for both companies, with its record.

Lear Capital, Inc. went through Chapter 11 in 2022-2023 and still operates as Lear Capital, LLC. Chapter 11 Subchapter V is a faster bankruptcy route for small businesses that keeps the company running. Each case is set out in our review of Lear Capital complaints, lawsuits and bankruptcy.

Priority Gold's one case is Hamilton v. Priority Gold, LLC and Bayside Metal Exchange (Collin County, Texas, No. 493-08644-2025), filed October 28, 2025. On February 19, 2026, the court compelled arbitration and paused ("abated") the case, according to the docket as summarized by Trellis. The claims and outcome are not public.

Lear's plan refunded each claimant the spread paid minus a hypothetical 12% spread, for purchases from January 1, 2016, to March 3, 2022. On $100,000 at Lear's 2022 average of 23.4%, the formula gives $11,400, before the pro-rata limit of the $5.5 million fund. At least 42 regulators joined, according to the South Carolina Attorney General and the DC DISB release of October 19, 2023. What each route to money back can do today is explained on how to get your money back from a gold IRA company.

Regulator actions: state cases against Lear, none found for Priority Gold#

All of Lear's regulator actions came from states and a city, and SafeOunce found no CFTC, SEC or state action against Priority Gold, in searches on September 29, 2026. Every case we track is in our list of precious metals IRA enforcement actions. We found no CFTC or SEC action against Lear either.

Priority Wealth Advisors, Inc., which has a California DFPI consent order, is a different firm from Priority Gold LLC. "None found" holds only for the search date, and our state-by-state sweep is not complete.

Marketing claims vs the record: "IRS-approved" vaults, a Krugerrand badge and a 2022 press release#

Both companies' websites carry claims that their own documents or the tax code do not support, and a paid 2022 release about Lear ranks high on Google. The table sets six claims against the record.

The record shows errors on both sites, and one fix: Priority removed the Krugerrand badge within three days. What the IRS list does and does not cover is on IRS-approved gold IRA custodians.

The Krugerrand fails both eligibility routes of 26 U.S.C. 408(m)(3). The rule is explained on Krugerrands in an IRA.

Lear Capital or Priority Gold: Which Company Fits Your Situation?#

Neither company is better for everyone: the right one depends on how much you move, what you want in writing first and how much weight you give the legal record. The table matches ten common situations with what the records point to.

SafeOunce scores companies on public records and a buyer-style written quote. Both results are provisional because the quote test is not done (October 2, 2026). The scoring rules are in how SafeOunce rates gold IRA companies.

The two figures cover different checked points, so they are not a ranking. Lear's 2021-2023 settlements trigger gate 3 (a settled pricing or disclosure case in the last five years), which keeps Lear off our best-of lists (ratings as of October 2, 2026).

Our ranked list is on best gold IRA companies.

What Should You Ask Lear Capital or Priority Gold Before You Sign?#

Ask both companies the same six questions in writing, on the same day, before you move any retirement money. The six questions are listed below.

1. Ask for the price of each coin and its percent over spot.
2. Ask what the company would pay for the same coins tomorrow.
3. Ask which custodian and which fee schedule applies, with its revision date.
4. Ask when the cancellation window starts and how to cancel.
5. Ask for the customer agreement and invoice by email before you pay.
6. Ask what spend unlocks any bonus, and which coins it requires.

The full list of 12 questions is on how to choose a gold IRA company.

A telemarketer is a seller who markets by phone. Under the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 CFR 310.3(a)(1)(i), a telemarketer must disclose the total cost before you pay. Section 310.6(b)(5) keeps precious metals investment sales under the rule even when you called first.

Put both written quotes side by side in our gold IRA company comparison tool.

How are review sites paid to recommend Lear Capital or Priority Gold?#

Lear pays review sites $175 to $225 per qualified lead plus a share of its gross profit, and Priority Gold runs a commission program without publishing its rates. A qualified lead is a reader who contacts the company through a review site and meets its conditions. Lear's affiliate contract (updated August 1, 2025) writes the share as five, six and seven percent in words. Its figures say 8%, 9% and 10%, so the rate is not established. Affiliates must tell readers their reviews "are not neutral or independent".

Priority pays commissions "on a Net 30 basis" under terms dated "05.01.2026", and partner emails must say they come from "an independent marketing partner promoting a Priority Gold offer". On money.com's page of September 25, 2026, Priority sits 3rd and Lear 6th in a paid "Partner" block; neither is among its 8 editorial picks. We explain the whole system in are gold IRA reviews paid.

A pending suit, Orion Precious Metals v. Money Group, C.D. Cal. No. 2:26-cv-07092, filed June 29, 2026, alleges money.com is "paid by these companies to rank their businesses as a top choice". It names Priority Gold among five companies; Lear is not named. Outcome: pending, no ruling known (September 29, 2026).

Many review pages are paid when you contact a company. See who pays SafeOunce and what money cannot buy.

Who are the spokespeople for Lear Capital and Priority Gold?#

Lear features Judge Andrew P. Napolitano, whom Lear calls a paid spokesman, and announces an endorsement by Glenn Beck. Priority Gold calls Robert Kiyosaki its "Official Partner" (September 29, 2026). Priority calls Kiyosaki "A real financial voice, not a paid actor", which does not say whether he is paid. Its terms say testimonialists "MAY be affiliated with COMPANY as Marketing Affiliates". The CFTC warns in general (release 8881-24) that fraudsters "target their ads to political or religious programming just to gain your trust"; this is not an allegation against either company. Who is paid by whom is listed under celebrity gold IRA endorsements.

How do Lear Capital and Priority Gold compare with other gold IRA companies?#

Each company has its own head-to-head pages against the other large gold IRA sellers. All pairs sit under our gold IRA comparisons. The pairs for these two companies are listed below.

• Goldco vs Priority Gold
• Augusta Precious Metals vs Priority Gold
• Noble Gold Investments vs Lear Capital
• Goldco vs Lear Capital
• Augusta Precious Metals vs Lear Capital
• Birch Gold Group vs Lear Capital
• Noble Gold Investments vs Priority Gold
• American Hartford Gold vs Priority Gold
• American Hartford Gold vs Lear Capital
• Birch Gold Group vs Priority Gold
• Lear Capital vs Goldline

Is Lear Capital legitimate?#

Yes: Lear Capital is a real, operating company with an A+ BBB grade (September 29, 2026). It paid $14.25 million in 2021-2023 settlements over its fees, without admitting wrongdoing, and went through Chapter 11. The bankruptcy case is Bankr. D. Del. No. 22-10165, plan confirmed June 12, 2023. It sells as Lear Capital, LLC from Los Angeles, and the BBB lists its business start as June 3, 1997. Everything else is in our Lear Capital review 2026.

Is Priority Gold legitimate?#

Yes: Priority Gold is an operating Dallas seller with an A+ BBB grade and no regulator action found. It publishes no coin prices, fees or customer agreement (September 29 to November 6, 2026). Its one known court case, Hamilton, Collin County No. 493-08644-2025, was sent to arbitration on February 19, 2026, per the Trellis docket summary; the outcome is not public. Its BBB complaint rate is 5.8 per 100 reviews (November 6, 2026). The full answer to is Priority Gold legit is on its complaints page.

What kind of company is Priority Gold?#

Priority Gold is a precious metals dealer, Priority Gold LLC of Dallas, that sells coins and bars and arranges IRAs held by a separate custodian and vault. It is not a custodian or an adviser. The BBB lists its business start as November 27, 2001, while Priority's own pages say "more than a decade" and "almost 20 years". Its About page claims No. 1,006 on the 2026 Inc. 5000, which SafeOunce has not verified. Its record and fees are in our Priority Gold review 2026.

Does Lear Capital sell gold bars?#

Yes: Lear Capital sells gold, silver and platinum coins and bars, and bars bought for an IRA must be at least .995 fine gold under 26 U.S.C. 408(m)(3)(B). Most of Lear's business is outside IRAs: its plan shows that 63.6% of its 2022 revenue came from direct sales.

Can you keep Lear Capital or Priority Gold metals at home?#

No: IRA bullion must stay in a trustee's physical possession, and both companies ship IRA metal to a depository. In McNulty v. Commissioner, 157 T.C. No. 10 (2021), the Tax Court held that IRA coins kept at home were a taxable distribution. The ruling is explained under home storage gold IRA.