Can You Trust AJPM as a Legitimate Business?

AJPM, nestled in the heart of Portland, Oregon, is a renowned dealer of precious metals. While they primarily serve their community through various local outlets in Portland, they have embraced the digital age, offering online sales for those outside the vicinity. For direct orders, they provide a toll-free line.

However, does a multitude of outlets translate to stellar customer service? Is AJPM truly the top choice in this industry?

Before jumping to conclusions, let's dive deeper into understanding AJPM and its relationship with its clientele.

About AJPM

AJPM represents Affordable Jewelry and Precious Metals. They boast an expansive selection of platinum, gold, and silver. Impressively, certain bars and coins align with IRS purity criteria, making them IRA-compatible. Additionally, they cater to enthusiasts with a variety of collectable coins.

Established in 1991, AJPM has grown their offerings to encompass IRA-approved bullion, unique numismatic treasures, and more. They also run a buy-back scheme for gold, silver, and platinum. Their website transparently presents buying and selling rates for each item.

With branches spread across Southwest Portland, Southeast Portland, and Beaverton, OR – all within the Portland metropolitan span – AJPM's site keeps visitors updated on precious metal price shifts, indicating any recent surge or drop.

Available Products

The firm trades in gold, silver, and platinum. Additionally, they feature a "specials" corner on their site, offering select items at reduced rates.

Beyond their retail offerings, they're on the hunt for scrap metals. For melt lot sellers, particularly those dealing in scrap gold, the firm generously offers 97.5% of the prevailing market rate. They've embedded a handy calculator to help gauge the value of your scrap gold.

Lending

Initiated in November 2020, the firm started granting authorized loans against precious metals. They entertain loans against palladium, platinum, and gold items, including coins. Loans against certain graded numismatic coins are also considered.

The lending blueprint displayed on their site entails the following:

• An initial fee of 10 dollars.

• An interest of 3% spanning 12 months.

• A fixed tenure for the loan.

• Their platform highlights assets fit for loans. If you need more certainty about your item's eligibility, a direct call to the firm can clarify its loan potential.

Ordering Process

The firm is based in Oregon and offers a no-tax advantage on precious metal buys. They kindly request callers to stand by their commitments concerning acquisitions.

Dial their toll-free line to purchase or vend your precious metals through their marketplace. They need a digital shopping avenue, and their site might not consistently showcase real-time stock.

Upon calling, share your buying intent or sale proposal with the agent. Essential details like name, contact, and address are required for transactions. Once your price is set, they'll hand you an identification code.

Remember to write this code on your check's reference section and the envelope's exterior. Overlooking this might result in processing delays, per the firm's advice.

It's crucial that after confirming your order, you dispatch your payment to them within a day. Any post-confirmation amendments or retractions aren't entertained. The firm warns of legal repercussions for any breaches of this commitment.

AJPM doesn't come off as fraudulent. They're recognized by the Better Business Bureau, boasting an A+ grade.

Yet, some concerns warrant attention.

Even though they're complaint-free with the BBB, their single customer review grants them a mere 1-star, which is the minimal score achievable.

For a broader perspective on client feedback, turn to Sitejabber, showcasing 18 reviews. With an overall score of 3.1 out of 5 stars, opinions seem pretty divided. Roughly every other customer enjoyed their dealings, while the rest found it less than satisfactory.

It's challenging to back a firm that seems to displease every second patron. However, delving into the specifics of these critiques can enlighten potential clients about recurring issues in the company's operations.

Feedback from Clients.

Let's first dive into the Better Business Bureau's evaluation. BBB assessments are generally dependable due to their strict verification system, allowing the company in question to give feedback.

A review from March 2020 caught my attention. The customer revealed he intended to part with his one-ounce gold coins, only to receive an offer below 50 dollars per ounce. Intriguingly, the in-store global rate suggested the coins' value surpassed 16,000 dollars, starkly contrasting the $500 quote he received.

Upon rejecting this deal, the customer was instead asked to leave and not return. Opting for a second opinion, another dealer valued the coins above 16,000 dollars. This dealer also hinted at AJPM's questionable reputation concerning gold coin trades.

Expressing shock at the owner's discourteous demeanour, the customer felt compelled to warn others via the BBB portal, stressing the owner's reluctance to negotiate a fairer price. Notably, the company should have listened to this feedback.

While this sounds alarming, it's pivotal to remember that such stories are based on individual experiences. To determine the overall picture, I delved into Sitejabber's critiques.

Out of 18 evaluations, eight grant full marks, while seven barely give one. A couple of 2-star ones accompany a single 4-star feedback. Each gathering of nine reviews makes a clear division between positive and negative experiences evident.

A client lamented an abysmal transaction, where after promptly paying, they were left hanging due to a misplaced order. The company did ship something, but the recipient was kept in the dark about collecting it from the post office. Complications persisted; a parcel arrived at an entirely wrong location, and upon refund, the customer received a depreciated amount.

Another shared their frustrations about the unresponsive nature of the company post-sales. Having left vital information on voicemail, they awaited a call-back that has yet to materialize. Surprisingly, a call did come, but it bore an aggressive tone, with the details of the threats left unspecified.

Consistent gripes about the customer service's tone and attitude were recurrent. One specific feedback from a decade ago claimed the company had an "F" grade and numerous BBB complaints. This does imply they've made strides since.

An in-depth account from a longtime client painted a journey from satisfaction to disappointment. While they had smooth transactions over the years, a recent one went south. Despite timely payments, delivery took excessively long. The nail in the coffin? Discovering the sales rep could have been more truthful about shipment timings leading the customer to sever ties.

Another buyer recounts paying for ten coins, valued above 9,000 dollars but has yet to see the product. Persistent calls over five months fetched inconsistent responses and a potentially fabricated tracking number. The conclusion to this saga remains ambiguous.

On the Brighter Side

Not all is grim. Shifting the focus to uplifting feedback, several negative critiques are somewhat dated. A closer look at recent positive testimonials could reveal a transformed enterprise.

One client's story of selling gold and securing a favourable rate directly opposes the BBB review. Though lacking specifics, the singularity of their review raises eyebrows.

Another customer vouches for the company's substantial progression since a challenging phase around 2010. They consistently found desired items available and never faced shipping delays.

A newbie in precious metals investment lavished praise on two transactions, highlighting the guidance provided. Moreover, as soon as payments were processed, shipments were dispatched.

An intriguing review lauds the business for accommodating minor orders even during rush hours. Having procured about 12 ounces of gold annually, this client felt genuinely valued.

While a handful of feedback commends the team's expertise, fairness in pricing, and reliability, it's essential to note that some of these are older than their critical counterparts. However, a few recent ones do shine brightly.

Advantages & Drawbacks of AJPM

Advantages 

• Decent variety of offerings.

• Several brick-and-mortar locations spread across Portland, Oregon.

 Drawbacks

• Varied customer feedback.

• Frequent leadership changes may impact your experience.

• A few clients claim they still need to get their orders despite paying substantial amounts.

Final Thoughts

In summary, vouching for this firm takes a lot of work. The volume of grievances and warning signs is concerning. Even if they've shifted leadership since their challenging phase, the absence of fresh customer feedback makes it hard to judge. A reputable company would frequently receive recent, positive testimonials about their service.

Ultimately, for your online buying or selling needs, more trustworthy precious metals dealers are out there.

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