SD Bullion review: is it a good place to buy gold?
SD Bullion is a low-price US online dealer, selling since 2012 with a BBB A+ rating. In our October 2026 check it had the cheapest wire price on every American Gold Eagle size, from 3.33% over spot on a 1 oz coin. The catch is strict payment rules: cards are capped at $5,000 and cancellations cost 5%.
SD Bullion's pitch is simple: "the lowest prices, period." Big claims deserve a test, so we priced four sizes of the same coin against APMEX, then read the small print on payments, shipping insurance and storage, which is where this dealer differs most.
| Company | SD Bullion, Inc. |
|---|---|
| Selling online since | 2012 (BBB lists a business start date of March 1, 2011) |
| Owner | Privately owned; BBB lists Dr. Tyler Wall as president and owner |
| Location | Depository and premises on the Ohio and Michigan border; BBB mailing address in Fort Worth, Texas |
| Scale | More than 2 million orders shipped since 2012, by its own count |
| BBB | A+ rating, accredited since April 22, 2014 |
| Payment discount | 4% cash discount for wire, check, e-check and money order |
| Shipping | Free and insured over $199; $9.95 flat at $199 or less |
| Dispatch | Usually 1 to 3 business days after payment clears |
| Price match | Yes, if you call before ordering (total price incl. shipping) |
| Storage | SD Depository: gold 0.29% a year, minimum $9.99 a month |
| Ships abroad? | Yes, to 37 listed countries; buyer pays duties |
How SD Bullion scores on our checks
We apply the same published criteria to every dealer. This is not a star rating. See how we review gold dealers.
| Check | Result | What we found |
|---|---|---|
| Competitive premium | Meets | Cheapest wire price on all four Gold Eagle sizes we checked, from 2.62% (1/2 oz) to 17.27% (1/10 oz) over spot. |
| Clear, live pricing | Meets | Cash and card prices shown, plus a written price-match policy. |
| Low payment fees | Meets | 4% discount for wire, check and e-check. Card and PayPal pay full price. |
| Flexible payment | Partly | Cards capped at $5,000, PayPal at $500, wire not offered under $2,500 and required over $20,000. No American Express. |
| Insured delivery | Partly | Insured free over $199, but cover is void if you waive signature, someone else signs, or it goes to a mailbox store. Report problems within 3 business days. |
| Buyback available | Meets | Indicative bid prices posted for dozens of products; payment 1 to 3 business days after processing. |
| Storage option | Meets | Segregated storage at 0.29% a year for gold, three months free for new customers. |
| Ownership and track record | Meets | Online since 2012, BBB accredited since 2014. Private company, no published accounts. |
How much does SD Bullion charge?
You always pay the spot price (the market price for one ounce) plus a premium, the dealer's mark-up for minting, handling and margin. Our automated check captured the 1 oz American Gold Eagle (random year) at SD Bullion and APMEX on the evening of October 10, 2026.
| Dealer | Cash (wire, check) | Premium | Card or PayPal | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SD Bullion | $4,335.39 | 3.33% | $4,516.03 | 7.64% |
| APMEX | $4,424.29 | 5.45% | $4,608.64 | 9.84% |
| JM Bullion | Not shown: its site does not allow automated price checks | |||
GoldVetted price check, 10 October 2026, 21:17 BST (4:17 p.m. ET), with the gold market closed. Spot from gold-api.com. Premium = price ÷ (fine gold ounces × spot) − 1. Later checks appear on the premium tracker.
SD Bullion was $88.90 cheaper by wire. Its card price ($4,516.03) was $92.61 below APMEX's card price and only $91.74 above APMEX's wire price. If you must pay by card, the gap between the two dealers stays about the same.
Why the 1/2 oz Eagle was the best buy on the day
Smaller coins normally cost more per ounce of gold, because minting and packing costs are spread over less metal. SD Bullion broke that rule on October 11, 2026: its 1/2 oz Eagle worked out cheaper per ounce than its 1 oz coin.
| Coin | Cash price | Card price | Cash premium | Cost per ounce of gold | APMEX cash premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz (Oct 10) | $4,335.39 | $4,516.03 | 3.33% | $4,335.39 | 5.45% |
| 1/2 oz | $2,152.69 | $2,242.39 | 2.62% | $4,305.38 | 9.29% |
| 1/4 oz | $1,156.48 | $1,204.67 | 10.26% | $4,625.92 | 13.58% |
| 1/10 oz | $492.03 | $512.53 | 17.27% | $4,920.30 | 21.54% |
Fractional prices captured October 11, 2026; spot unchanged from October 10 because the market was shut for the weekend. Cost per ounce = cash price ÷ fine gold content (0.5, 0.25 or 0.1 oz).
Two halves cost $4,305.38, which is $30.01 less than one 1 oz coin, and they are easier to sell in parts later. Deals like this come and go with stock levels, so check both sizes on the day you buy. Our 1/2 oz Gold Eagle guide has the coin's specs.
Does the price match guarantee help?
SD Bullion promises to match or beat a lower advertised price from an online competitor if you call before ordering. The comparison is on total price including shipping and insurance, and flash sales are excluded. It is worth a phone call on large orders.
Payment rules: the part to read first
SD Bullion gives a 4% cash discount, so card buyers pay about 4.17% more than wire buyers. More unusual are its hard limits by payment method, which can decide whether it works for you at all.
| Method | Order limit | Cash discount? | Deadline and clearing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank wire | Not offered under $2,500; required over $20,000 | Yes | Received within 3 business days; clears in 24 to 48 hours |
| Personal or cashier's check | Up to $20,000 | Yes | Postmarked within 3 and received within 7 business days; clears in 3 to 5 days |
| e-Check | Up to $10,000 (checking accounts only) | Yes | Clears in 3 to 5 business days |
| Postal money order | Up to $9,999 | Yes | Same as checks |
| Visa, Mastercard, Discover | Up to $5,000 | No | Clears in 24 to 48 hours |
| PayPal | Up to $500 | No | Clears within 24 hours |
| Bitcoin (BitPay) | Up to $250,000 | No | Pay within 15 minutes of ordering |
American Express is not accepted. Locking a price is binding: if your payment misses the deadline, SD Bullion can charge market loss, a 5% cancellation fee and collection costs. On a $4,335 coin, the 5% fee alone is about $217.
Shipping and insurance: read the conditions
Domestic orders over $199 ship and insure free, and the threshold is based on the cash price. Orders of $199 or less pay $9.95. Parcels go by USPS or UPS and usually leave 1 to 3 business days after payment clears; UPS then typically takes 2 to 3 business days.
The insurance comes with conditions you should know before you order. According to SD Bullion's shipping policy, cover does not apply if you have agreed to waive signatures with your carrier, if anyone other than the addressee signs (a neighbor or building manager, for example), or if you ship to a UPS Store, FedEx store, mailbox or locker. Damaged, missing or undelivered items must be reported within 3 business days. USPS First Class cover is capped at $10,000 and Priority at $25,000. Returned or delayed orders cost $30 a month in storage and insurance.
Bullion sales tax varies by state; see our US gold tax guide.
Does SD Bullion store gold?
Yes, through SD Depository, which SD Bullion says is on its own premises on the Ohio and Michigan border, rather than at a third-party vault company. Metal is segregated, meaning your exact coins and bars are kept apart and returned to you, and insured under a Lloyd's of London policy up to market value. You can book a visit.
| Item | SD Depository | APMEX Citadel |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee for gold | 0.29% | 0.55% |
| Minimum | $9.99 a month | Not stated |
| Offer | First 3 months free (not IRAs) | None stated |
| Where | Own premises, Ohio/Michigan border | Brink's facilities |
| Taking metal out | $25 per shipment plus quoted shipping | Delivery any time |
Because of the $9.99 monthly minimum, the 0.29% rate only applies above roughly $41,000 of gold. Below that you pay a flat $119.88 a year. Compare other options in our US gold storage guide.
Selling gold back to SD Bullion
Unlike many dealers, SD Bullion lists indicative buy prices on its sell page for dozens of products, from 1 gram bars to 1 oz Krugerrands. These are guides, not locked offers: the price is fixed only when you call and agree a trade. You then ship using a label it emails you, its team checks each item for authenticity, and payment is issued within 1 to 3 business days after processing.
Compare at least one other buyer before you lock; see how to sell gold for the best price. Gains on gold held over a year are generally taxed as collectibles at up to 28% (IRS Topic 409).
What do customers say about SD Bullion?
We do not invent ratings or publish testimonials. These are the scores shown when we checked on October 11, 2026:
| Site | Score shown | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Better Business Bureau | A+ rating, accredited since April 22, 2014 | BBB's own rating method |
| Trustpilot | 4.1 out of 5 | 3,138 reviews (profile claimed since February 2016) |
Trustpilot's summary says reviewers praise prices and product quality, while delivery experiences are split. The lower ratings tend to mention shipping delays, which ties back to the insurance and signature rules above.
Pros
- Cheapest wire price on all Gold Eagle sizes in our check
- Written price-match policy
- Indicative buy prices published
- Low-cost segregated storage, 0.29% for gold
- Ships to 37 countries
Cons
- Card limit of $5,000 and PayPal limit of $500
- No wire under $2,500
- 5% fee plus market loss if you miss payment
- Insurance void if anyone else signs
- Private company with no published accounts
Who SD Bullion suits, and who should look elsewhere
Good fit: price-focused US buyers paying by wire or check who can sign for parcels themselves, and anyone wanting cheap segregated storage.
Look elsewhere if: you want to pay a large order by card, prefer storage at a big third-party vault company, or will not be home to sign.
Alternatives to SD Bullion
- APMEX review: higher premiums in our check, but larger range and Brink's storage. See APMEX vs SD Bullion.
- JM Bullion review: similar 4% cash discount and $199 free shipping. See JM Bullion vs SD Bullion.
- Money Metals Exchange review: another dealer with its own depository. See SD Bullion vs Money Metals.
- Best places to buy gold in the US: every US dealer we cover.
Frequently asked questions
Is SD Bullion legit?
Yes. SD Bullion has sold bullion online since 2012 and says it has shipped more than 2 million orders. The Better Business Bureau lists SD Bullion, Inc. with an A+ rating and as accredited since April 22, 2014. Its founder and president is Dr. Tyler Wall; Chase Turner is CEO, according to the BBB profile.
Is SD Bullion cheaper than APMEX?
On our October 2026 check, yes. A 1 oz American Gold Eagle cost $4,335.39 by wire at SD Bullion (3.33% over spot) against $4,424.29 at APMEX (5.45%). SD Bullion was also cheaper on the 1/2, 1/4 and 1/10 oz Eagles. See APMEX vs SD Bullion.
Can I pay SD Bullion by credit card?
Yes, but only up to $5,000 per order, with Visa, Mastercard or Discover (no American Express). Cards do not get the 4% cash discount, so a card costs about 4.17% more than wire or check. PayPal is capped at $500, and orders over $20,000 must be paid by bank wire.
What happens if I cancel an SD Bullion order?
Locking your price is a binding agreement. SD Bullion's payment page says that if payment is not received by the deadline, the order is subject to market loss (any fall in the metal price), a 5% cancellation fee and any collection costs. Only lock a price once your money is ready to send.
Does SD Bullion offer storage?
Yes, through SD Depository, on its own premises on the Ohio and Michigan border. Gold costs 0.29% a year, with a minimum of $9.99 a month and the first three months free for new customers (not IRA accounts). Holdings are segregated and insured through Lloyd's of London, according to SD Bullion.
How fast does SD Bullion pay when I sell?
SD Bullion's sell page says payment is issued within 1 to 3 business days after your package is processed and each item is checked for authenticity. Prices shown on the page are only indications. The price is fixed only when you call and lock a trade with its buyback team.
Sources
We checked these primary and official sources when writing and fact-checking this page.
- SD Bullion: Payment and pricing (methods, limits, 4% cash discount, cancellation fee; updated 10/01/2026)
- SD Bullion: Shipping policies (free over $199, insurance conditions)
- SD Bullion: Precious metal storage and rates (SD Depository)
- SD Bullion: Sell to us (buyback steps and payment timing)
- SD Bullion: Doc's Low Price Guarantee (price match)
- SD Bullion: About (since 2012, orders shipped)
- SD Bullion: International shipping (37 countries)
- Better Business Bureau: SD Bullion, Inc (A+, accredited since 4/22/2014, viewed Oct 11, 2026)
- Trustpilot: SD Bullion reviews (4.1 from 3,138 reviews, viewed Oct 11, 2026)
- IRS Topic 409: Capital gains and losses
Not financial advice. GoldVetted provides general information to help you compare options. It is not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Gold prices go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you pay. Check tax rules with the official source or a qualified adviser before you act.