Thinking about adding physical precious metals to your retirement through an IRA investment? It’s a prudent way to diversify, but the process is far smoother when you work with a trustworthy provider.
If you’ve landed on this review, you’re likely weighing up Miles Franklin and want a clear-eyed assessment of how they operate.
In this comprehensive review, I unpack Miles Franklin’s services and buying/selling process. I’ve spent more than two decades investing and navigating the precious metals space, partnering with several firms along the way — including Miles Franklin.
My aim is to help you decide with confidence by sharing practical insights from real experience. If you’re unsure whether Miles Franklin is the right partner, keep reading.
Miles Franklin: Snapshot
Miles Franklin isn’t just another precious metals company. It operates as both a full-service dealer and a competitive discount broker. Founded in 1989 by David and Andrew Schectman, the family-led firm has been under the same stewardship for over three decades.
The Schectmans bring deep market knowledge and credibility, which has helped establish Miles Franklin as a trusted precious metals dealer in the United States, with more than $9 billion in total sales.
Having invested with them myself, I’ve found that their reputation remains well earned — a reliable partner for those looking to purchase bullion or use an IRA. Here’s why.
The Best Gold IRA Companies in 2025
Before diving deeper, note that I’ve assessed dozens of precious metals IRA providers over the past 20 years and curated a list of the top five gold IRA companies for 2025. I recommend giving it a read before initiating any IRA transfer.
My #1 pick is Augusta Precious Metals — A+ with the Better Business Bureau, hundreds of five-star reviews, and lifetime account support. See my Augusta Precious Metals review or visit the official Augusta website to learn more.
What Sets Miles Franklin Apart
Like many new investors years ago, I was cautious about trusting a company with significant savings. As the saying goes, the bigger risk is often doing nothing — so I gave Miles Franklin a go based on its standing among investors.
The experience proved exceptional. The range of products was broad, and the service model extended well beyond simple transactions.
Below are the areas where Miles Franklin particularly impressed me.
Product Range
The website is straightforward to navigate and lists an extensive selection of bullion. You can browse by metal or by mint, depending on your preference. Categories I encountered include:
- Gold: Bars and coins, including favourites like Gold Eagles, Maple Leafs, and Kangaroos.
- Silver: Bars, coins, and rounds, with popular choices such as Silver Eagles, Maple Leafs, and Kangaroos.
- Platinum: A selection of bars, rounds, and coins.
- Palladium: Available in coins, bars, and rounds.
- IRA-Approved: A curated range of IRA-eligible gold, silver, palladium, and platinum that meets strict IRS purity standards.
- Mint: Products from leading mints including the United States Mint, The Perth Mint, The Royal Mint, Austrian Mint, Royal Canadian Mint, Valcambi, PAMP, South African Mint, and others.
Storage Options
Miles Franklin partners with Brink’s, a subsidiary of Brink’s, Incorporated. Founded in 1859 in Chicago, Brink’s is one of the world’s leading secure logistics providers.
Through Brink’s, investors can choose between two storage programs. The Private Safe Deposit Box program allows exclusive storage of gold and platinum at Brink’s locations in Ontario, Toronto, and Vancouver, B.C.
The second option is fully segregated storage. Because my investment was held via a precious metals IRA, proximity mattered. I opted for segregated storage at Brink’s Montreal, Canada, which made periodic visits and physical inspections straightforward and reassuring.
Segregated storage with Miles Franklin via Brink’s is also available at the following facilities:
- Quebec
- Vancouver
- British Columbia
- New York
- Salt Lake City
- Los Angeles
- Miami
Responsive Customer Support
Customer service has consistently been a strong point. Whether it’s your first or fifth purchase, the team has been helpful, knowledgeable, and easy to reach — in my experience.
When I recently reached out again on 1-952-929-7006, I received the same friendly, professional guidance as on my first call.
I asked about current inventory and best-sellers. Rather than pushing any product, they focused on my goals, budget, and preferences, offering balanced suggestions across multiple options. It felt like speaking with a savvy mate who knows the market inside out.
It’s not just me. As one investor put it in a public review, “Miles Franklin is stellar.” Feedback like this reinforces their credibility for both beginners and seasoned buyers.
Selling Service
Miles Franklin not only sells bullion — they’ll also buy your gold and silver. The process is straightforward. Here’s how my sale went:
- I listed the items I wanted to sell, including type, fineness, and weight.
- I phoned a licensed Miles Franklin broker to confirm current buy prices.
- Once satisfied with the quoted values, I shipped the items following their packaging instructions.
- After delivery, they took 1–3 business days to verify authenticity, then processed payment within a further 1–3 business days. A cheque would have taken around 1–2 weeks.
Note: Cheque payments are free; wire transfers attract a $25 fee.
Miles Franklin Fees
In comparing providers, I found Miles Franklin’s pricing to be competitive, with clear shipping and storage fees.
Here’s a concise breakdown:
- Shipping and Insurance: Free within North America on orders of 500+ ounces of silver or 10+ ounces of gold, platinum, or palladium. Domestic orders below these thresholds incur a flat $15 fee.
- Segregated Storage: One-off account setup fee of $89.00 (may be waived for orders over $15,000).
- Private Safe Deposit Storage: Fees include:
- One-time setup fee of $99.00
- In-person visit fee of $65.00
- Withdrawal fee of $40.00
Note: Additional charges may apply for account closure, re-purchase when adding new items, and other services. Confirm specifics with the depository to get an exact estimate.
Miles Franklin Ratings on Consumer Sites
| Consumer Protection Agency | Rating | Number of Reviews | Complaints in Past 12 Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) | A+ | 4 | 0 |
| Business Consumer Alliance (BCA) | CC | 2 | 0 |
| TrustPilot | 3.7/5 | 1 | 0 |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Clean, easy-to-use website.
- Live precious metals price tickers.
- Over 30 years in business.
- Trusted by both first-time and experienced investors.
- Professional, attentive customer support.
Cons
- Shipping available only within North America and U.S. territories.
- Online orders capped at $10,000.
The Verdict
Whether you’re buying gold coins and silver bars or contributing to a precious metals IRA, Miles Franklin is a credible dealer to have on your shortlist.
The breadth of products, responsive support, and added services make it a solid choice within the industry.
As always, weigh these benefits against your personal objectives, risk tolerance, and timeframe to make the best call for your situation.