Consumer Reports Raises Doubts About Gold Firm Touted By Glenn Beck

July 22, 2010 — -- One of the nation's top independent consumer advocates has just released a report that casts strong doubts on the aggressive sales tactics at Goldline, the precious metals dealer endorsed by Glenn Beck and other conservative radio and television talk show hosts.

"Maybe if you're worried about Armageddon you might consider it good advice," the editor of Consumer Reports Money Adviser, a newsletter put out by Consumer Reports, told ABC News after reviewing the telephone sales pitch by a Goldline associate.

"I think that when you're buying anything, and here at Consumer Reports it is what we do, anything you're buying we advise that you check as many possible places to see where the best deals are," said Noreen Perrotta, the money editor. "I don't think in this case that Goldline offered the best deal."

In one price comparison, Consumer Reports found Goldline was charging nearly twice as much as a competitor for a popular gold coin set. A Goldline spokesman has not responded to a request for comment.

The findings presented by Consumer Reports stand in a sharp contrast to the A-plus rating that Goldline has received from the Better Business Bureau -- a rating that was touted by Scott Carter, the company's vice president in an interview on ABC's Good Morning America earlier this week.

And they echo some of the concerns raised by Goldline customers interviewed by ABC News, many of whom alleged that they were pushed aggressively into buying collectable gold coins -- at a hefty mark-up -- rather than pure gold bullion.

In a letter to ABC News, Carter said it is in Goldline's best interest to maintain customer satisfaction and trust. "Indeed, we believe that our success for the past 50 years and our A+ Better Business Bureau rating reflect this understanding and commitment."

Consumer Reports initiated its own look at Goldline after seeing the company's television ads in heavy circulation during 24-hour news broadcasts on CNN and Fox News, and hearing about initial concerns raised by Rep. Anthony Weiner, a New York Democrat.