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GBI Direct (Formerly Hard Assets Alliance) Reviews 364

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.3

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers consistently praise the staff for their knowledge, helpfulness, and the time they dedicate to assisting with inquiries. The overall service is frequently described as excellent, with many appreciating the simplicity and efficiency of processes like purchasing and selling. Reviewers also highlight the positive user experience, noting the ease of navigating the website and managing accounts. However, some customers expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the payment process. A few people mentioned issues with funds not being applied immediately or experiencing delays in transfers, leading to frustration. There were also occasional concerns about the waiting period for funds to clear.

What people talk about most

User experience

Consumers find the user experience to be positive, highlighting the platform's ease of use and intuitive... See more

Staff

Customers consistently note positive experiences with staff, highlighting their courtesy, knowledge, and... See more

Service

Users describe positive interactions with service, highlighting its ease of use and efficiency. Many... See more

Customer service

Clients share positive opinions on customer service, frequently highlighting the professionalism, efficiency,... See more

Payment

Customers had ambiguous experiences with payment. While some reviewers found transactions simple,... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Navigating the site is easy. Idid have a problem in that I had funds available that were not used to pay my storage fees. I was informed my fees were unpaid so I quickly had funds transferred to my ac... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Prices on silver coins are consistently cheaper than other large dealers like APMEX or JM Buillon. Usually $1-2.5 cheaper retail price even when these dealer offer lower prices when one is buying larg... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Samantha was fantastic and furthered my education on what the words on line during market closed hours really mean regarding what can reasonably be expected for the price when markets open. I Greatly... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Samantha was incredible today. She not only answered all my questions on how storage fees are billed and calculated but she also educated me on related topics such as options for taking any RMDs from... See more


Company details

  1. Gold and Silver Trading Company

About GBI Direct (Formerly Hard Assets Alliance)

Written by the company

GBI Direct, formerly Hard Assets Alliance – Precious Metals Investing Made Simple

Whether your goal is to preserve wealth, protect against currency risk, or build long-term stability, GBI Direct delivers a secure and convenient way to invest in physical metals—backed by technology, transparency, and a customer-first approach. Our leading online platform is used by some of the world's largest financial institutions and is available to individual investors aiming to diversify their portfolios with tangible assets like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.

We understand the critical role that precious metals play in investment strategies as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. That's why our platform allows investors to easily browse, compare, and purchase a wide selection of bullion products from reputable global dealers who bid against each other to give you the best price.

Through our trusted vaulting partners, we offer secure storage options in multiple international locations, giving you peace of mind that your assets are safe.

Transparency and trust are at the core of everything we do. With real-time pricing and a straightforward fee structure, investors can make informed decisions without worrying about hidden costs or surprises.

GBI Direct is committed to educating and empowering investors through expert research, market insights, and in-depth educational content. Our team regularly publishes articles, guides, and reports to help you navigate the precious metals market with confidence.

We strive to make your precious metals investing experience the best it can be and welcome your feedback—leave a review at GBIDirect.com and let us know about your experience.


Contact info

4.3

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

364 reviews

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Replied to 66% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 1 week

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Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Reputation as being a safe place to…

Reputation as being a safe place to keep Gold Holdings. Has been responsive for mailings. Would like buy-back options for home kept holdings with competitive values.

February 2, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from GBI Direct (Formerly Hard Assets Alliance)

Thanks George! This feature is in the works ;)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Clear explanation of the process of…

Clear explanation of the process of selling some of my gold. Also what would be the timing for receiving the check.

February 2, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from GBI Direct (Formerly Hard Assets Alliance)

Thanks Leslie!
Checks get sent out via regular mail, but we also have the option to send you a wire if needed ;)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Friendly

Friendly, knowledgeable, helpful.

January 15, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from GBI Direct (Formerly Hard Assets Alliance)

Thanks Ruth!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Account Restoration

This interaction was a follow up from an earlier transaction. Since my account had been manually modified to accommodate my request, this current interaction was to ensure the account was returned to normal operations.

February 6, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from GBI Direct (Formerly Hard Assets Alliance)

We're happy to have helped. Thanks for the updated follow-up.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Easy acquisitions

Easy to acquire silver and gold on a monthly basis and then obtain clear and concise reporting online.

February 10, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from GBI Direct (Formerly Hard Assets Alliance)

We love to hear that you are enjoying the MetalStream program

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

The service is overall good

The service is overall good, but I the last deposit I made I was told that I would have to wait a couple of weeks before the funds would be applied to the gold purchase I made. It would be great if the money were to be applied immediately.

May 10, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from GBI Direct (Formerly Hard Assets Alliance)

Hello Andrew, sorry for any miscommunication you may have received, as deposits made via ACH only take 4 days, not weeks. Wire options are available for immediate purchases. Please contact our service team with your inquiry so we can clear up any misunderstandings and review your case.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

I am not satisfied with the price gap…

I am not satisfied with the price gap between buying and selling

January 10, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from GBI Direct (Formerly Hard Assets Alliance)

Thanks for your comment. The price of silver remains strong. What has changed is the cost and complexity of converting physical silver back into cash under current market conditions at this time of the review.

Physical silver must be shipped, verified, and refined before it can be resold. Right now, refining capacity, logistics, and financing costs are tighter and more expensive, which impacts how bids are priced — even while demand for physical silver remains high.

With silver prices significantly higher than in prior years and interest rates elevated, the cost to carry, finance, and process physical metal has increased. These real-world factors are what’s being reflected in today’s wider spreads, not a lack of buyer interest.

In simple terms:
Silver didn’t get weaker — it became more expensive to move and finance.
Wider spreads reflect logistics, timing, and credit conditions. A wide spread indicates market stress, not reduced demand.
Active bids remain available, which is a healthy sign for physical markets

Physical metals move at the pace of trucks, vaults, and refiners — not computer trades. As conditions normalize, spreads typically adjust as well.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Overall I am pleased with the experience I had…

Overall, I am pleased with the experience I had so far, including the MetalStream purchasing allowing regular, semi-fixed purchases of metal bars/coins in fractions each period. I think the experience would be better if we are beings shown in a friendly-easy way the margins from the spot for both the buying and selling actions in a decision-assist window.

February 10, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from GBI Direct (Formerly Hard Assets Alliance)

Great feedback thank you!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Straight forward website

Straight forward website, pricing, and awesome customer service people!

July 25, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from GBI Direct (Formerly Hard Assets Alliance)

Thanks Tom! You're awesome too

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10 years of superior service

February 10, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from GBI Direct (Formerly Hard Assets Alliance)

Thank you for trusting us with your precious metal purchases throughout the years Pat!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The staff at Hard Assets Alliance is…

The staff at Hard Assets Alliance is always available and very knowledgeable. We enjoy our working relationship thank you Richard Alcorn and Elaine Arm.

January 22, 2026
Unprompted review
GBI Direct (Formerly Hard Assets Alliance) logo

Reply from GBI Direct (Formerly Hard Assets Alliance)

Providing education and reliable service is something our entire team works hard on every day. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to assisting you with future gold and silver investments.

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