Alabama Gold Refinery — Local services in Homewood

I respect AGR's business approach and I think overall they are the best in Birmingham. I have written this on FB and encouraged friends to use them. I have never felt like I was in desperate pawn shop situation there. It certainly could be that way given that people often are strapped for cash. AGR doesn't give off that vibe.

Certainly there have been times I needed cash to avoid using credit but my first rule of thumb is that I never sell anything that I wear or has special value to me. If I got in an emergency situation, certainly that could change, but my mother taught me to treat fine jewelry as you would any investment.

That said, after the dozen or so times I have been in AGR, I expected a solid transaction and an explanation as to why I was being offered what I was offered last week. I absolutely hate to publicly post a mediocre/troubling experience after so many good ones, but I really think the owner should reconsider what he is doing and treat EVERY customer as a high dollar transaction.

DO NOT put what appears to a gentleman in training on your front desk. I know he has been there a while, I recognized him immediately. He is kind, friendly and helpful but not up to speed. He had to ask you several questions in front of me, he had trouble "finding a mark," and you had to remind him to use the ocular piece, twice he handed me back jewelry that I told him I knew were not worthless (as I knew the silversmith who made the pieces). I was right. Honestly, I was 75% satisfied with my check but I left wishing I had gone with my first instinct and asked the owner to recheck the tray. The whole thing was too sloppy for my taste and a little bit too cavalier. I am sure that the gentleman who helped me will do a perfectly fine job one day, just let him practice some more under...

I have been going to this coin shop for 2-3 years. It had good service and knowledgeable, welcoming people. I have recommended the coin shop to a few people. I have been a good customer.

However, today, I have stopped going to this coin shop. Today, I went to go buy a couple of CMLs or ASEs. However, the person working there today told me that I could not stay in the establishment because I had to take off my mask. I found this to be ridiculous, confusing, and infuriating because I have come to buy coins there on multiple occasions while I wore a mask. Let’s not forget that a pandemic that has killed almost a million Americans is still ongoing. I left without incident, despite the fact that there were two other customers wearing masks in the shop. Given that I am a frequent customer, I doubt the person minding the shop had sound reasoning to think that I was not a law abiding citizen.

No place of business is worth endangering my life or health. I would rather go to SD Bullion, JM Bullion, or APMEX. The shop lost a...

After reading other reviews, I decided to be sure that I had an appointment. I went on line and looked at my purchase options and spent a fair amount of time reviewing their products. I narrowed my interest and decided on my preference before scheduling an appointment. I rescheduled at an earlier date because I would be in the area a day before I had expected. No problems at all navigating the website and scheduling. I arrived within minutes of my appointment, was buzzed in, met the folks and expressed my interest. I was shown what I was looking for and discussed pricing. Once I decided on the size of the purchase, we concluded the transaction. Everyone was prompt, courteous and professional. I plan to spend additional time on their website in the future. I might even wander around the shop to look and visit. But, I will definitely be back to do business...