FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

philoro is an independent trading company specializing in precious metals, with stores in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. The team has extensive experience in international precious metals trading. Its services cover the full spectrum of precious metals investment, including buying and selling, independent storage, personal consultation, and production.

If you would like personal consultation or wish to buy or sell precious metals, our experts are happy to assist you in our stores. You can find the locations of our stores at philoro.at/en/stores.

You can visit any of our stores without an appointment for consultations on buying and selling precious metals, as well as storage options.

Yes, we offer our customers secure and cost-effective storage options. You can find more information on our Safe Deposit Boxes and Precious Metals Depot pages. Please note that anonymity cannot be guaranteed for stored items, as philoro requires owner information to properly allocate the stored assets.

Our website is secured with a GeoTrust True BusinessID (with EV) SSL certificate, ensuring encrypted data transmission. This GeoTrust True BusinessID (with EV) Secured Seal guarantees the highest security standards for online transactions and is only issued to companies after extensive verification. You can recognize the SSL encryption by the HTTPS prefix and the padlock symbol in your browser.

Additionally, our web servers are continuously monitored and maintained. We also have a Norton Secured Seal, providing daily security scans of our online shop to guarantee a secure online purchasing experience.

In addition to various online security measures, we also ensure physical security in our stores. To protect our customers, our stores are equipped with comprehensive security measures, such as video surveillance.

For larger investments, many of our stores offer a discreet counter, allowing you to conduct your transactions in a private and secure environment.

philoro provides a comprehensive selection of precious metal bars and coins for investment purposes. You can browse our full range of products in our online shop, including bars and coins made of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, or visit one of our stores.

Additionally, we offer secure, independent storage solutions in Precious Metals Depots and Safe Deposit Boxes in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein. Learn more about our Precious Metals Depot and Safe Deposit Boxes for secure storage options.

We keep a large stock of our products in our stores. However, availability may vary. For specific product inquiries, we recommend contacting your preferred store directly.

Prices are updated every 3 minutes on our website. You can find the key information at the top of the screen, where a countdown timer on the left side indicates when the prices will be updated next.

Several factors influence the product price. The most important is the weight, which is multiplied by the current gold price and is therefore subject to fluctuations. Additionally, fabrication costs (for bars) and minting costs (for coins) are fixed components of the price. Availability also plays a role, especially for coins with a limited mintage.

Physical investment gold in the form of bars is exempt from value-added tax (VAT) in all EU countries. The same applies to coins, provided they meet certain conditions, such as being recognized as official legal tender in their country of origin. These criteria apply to well-known investment coins like the Maple Leaf.

For physical silver in the form of bars and coins, standard VAT rates apply. In Austria, this rate is 20%. However, there is an exception: if the sales value of a silver coin exceeds 150% of its metal value, a reduced VAT rate of 10% applies.

In our online shop, you can buy precious metals easily, securely, and conveniently. Simply select your desired products and follow the straightforward ordering process.

After placing your order, you will receive an order confirmation along with a binding invoice containing the payment details. Once your payment is received, your order will be shipped within 3 business days. Detailed information about the process can be found in the order procedure section.

If your selected product is delivered in protective packaging (e.g., blister packs), this will be specified in the product description. If the item is shipped without packaging, we offer a wide selection of cases and boxes for storage in our accessories category.

Payment for your order is made via direct bank transfer (prepayment) or cash payment upon pickup. Once your payment is received, you will promptly receive a payment confirmation. The necessary bank details can be found in the order confirmation and on your invoice.

Online payments via credit card or PayPal are not available. For in-store pickups, you can pay in cash or use a debit card (EC-Karte). For further details, please refer to our store listings.

Shipping costs depend on the order value and the destination country. You can find the specific costs in the Delivery and Shipping Costs section.

Please note that for some delivery addresses, shipping costs can only be determined at the time of invoicing, as an individual cost calculation may be required.

The logistics company assumes full responsibility for shipping risks. We exclusively collaborate with experienced logistics providers specializing in the transportation of precious metals.

The shipping costs include VAT, insurance, and protective packaging.

For orders exceeding €250,000, we offer an escrow service in addition to our standard processing service.

Yes, you can conveniently order online and pick up your goods at your preferred store. During the checkout process, simply select your desired store under shipping options.

At the store, you also have the option to pay for your order in cash.

The philoro PRECIOUS METALS SAVINGS PLAN works like any other savings plan: With a fixed monthly savings amount—starting from a minimum of €25—you invest in precious metals on a regular basis.

On the 1st of each month, the selected amount is debited from your bank account. The full amount is then used to purchase your chosen precious metal on the 10th of the month (or the next trading day if it falls on a holiday or weekend).

Find all further details under PRECIOUS METALS SAVINGS PLAN.

You can view your order history in the customer area of our website. Here, you will find a list of all your completed online purchases.

Please note that in-store purchases are not displayed in your online order history. Additionally, this feature is not available for guest orders.

A Limit Order allows customers with a customer account to place a buy or sell order that will only be executed in the future, once a specified price is reached. When the current market price drops below or rises above your preset price, the order is triggered automatically.

To place a Limit Order, follow these steps:

1. Select the desired product in our precious metals shop and click on "Limit Order".

2. Set your target price and choose the validity period (7, 30, or 90 days). During this time, all details can be modified.

3. Place your Limit Order and receive a confirmation email.

If the market price reaches or falls below (for purchases) or rises above (for sales) your set limit within the selected time period, the order is automatically executed. You will receive an order confirmation, and once payment is received, your package will be shipped.

Example – Buying Gold with a Limit Order:

• The 1 oz Gold Philharmoniker is currently priced at €1,832.17 (as of January 27, 2023). 

• You want to buy it at €1,780.00 instead.

• You place a Limit Order at €1,780.00 with a 30-day validity.

• If the price reaches or drops to €1,780.00 within that period, your order is executed automatically.

• You receive an order confirmation, and after we accept your offer, a final invoice is issued.

If you want to sell a bar or an investment coin, you can either sell it directly in one of our stores or complete the sale through our online shop and send the item to us at your own cost and risk.

After receipt, the item will be checked for authenticity, and the calculated amount will be paid out in cash (up to €15,000) or transferred ato your bank account. No additional fees apply.

If you want to sell jewelry, scrap gold, or broken gold, visit one of our stores. Your item will undergo standardized tests to determine its fine gold content and will then be weighed.

Based on these values, the final amount will be calculated and paid out to you. No additional fees apply.

Yes, your bar may lose value if you remove it from the sealed packaging (blister). If the bar was purchased without packaging, care must be taken to ensure that the certificate is not lost and the bar is not damaged.

Coins are often sold in so-called coin capsules, which serve as corrosion protection. It is important for the sale that the coins are not scratched or damaged in any other way.