Has anyone ever ordered from them? It seems they are an affordable place to pick up bullion. I just wonder if there isn't some kind of catch like poor service or packaging etc. I don't want to be buying silver with a 15% loss baked in from markup and shipping.
I order from JM Bullion directly, and from Apmex and MCM via eBay (for free shipping on my smaller orders). The very first metal order I ever placed was with Provident, for a tube of rounds. They arrived with fingerprints, and that was it for me and Provident.
I've never had a problem with Provident. I see them as less frills than their competitors, allowing them to often offer competitive (slightly cheaper) prices than say: APMEX, Fidelitrade, AMARK, DG, et al. The convenience of online orders from a dealer such as Provident feels safer than buying on eBay and Provident are friendly and easy to deal with over the phone, if you need help or have questions. I'd place Provident among the top five firms in the US to buy from.
I have always had good luck with them. They and APMEX are my go-to dealers. Even a good company can have a hiccup every once in a while, but I would recommend them from my personal experience.
How about some reviews in the directory from you guys who've bought from them? https://www.cointalk.com/reviews/provident-metals.251530/
I buy from them quite a bit. My only complaint is that sometimes it will take up to a week for them to process your order, then other times, it'll be shipped out the next day. Kind of inconsistent in that department. Products have always been top notched and their packaging is great too.
i've bought from provident many times, never had a problem, like stated above their shipping is sometimes slow, but i've always got my stuff in good condition, they are in my top 5 bullion dealers...
I'm done with them. Takes forever for them to ship and they have lied to me multiple times about why product hasn't shipped. Miraculously, numerous times, my order shipped a day after spot prices dropped below what I paid (a month later). Wonder why?