Buy Gold Simply...

Step 1 – Consultation

The starting point with gold investment is to have an initial chat with one of our gold consultants. This will help provide information on the gold market in general and determine the correct type of gold and method of investment, to best suit your individual circumstances.

The first decision will be whether to buy gold within a pension or with liquid cash. We will talk you through the benefits of each, so you can make an informed choice. If you choose to invest outside of a pension, we offer a regular savings scheme to those with limited resources, to gradually build up a gold portfolio.

Lump Sum or Regular Investment?

Option 1 - Lump sum investment

Many customers buy tax-free gold coins with money which is currently returning very little interest in their ISA or bank savings. Perhaps you are also concerned with the credit risk you have by depositing your money with today's banks. Or maybe you don't like to pay tax on the measly interest rates you receive.

Option 2 - Gold Accumulation Account (GAA)

As an alternative to lump sum investment, or simply to supplement a lump sum, it is possible to open your very own solid gold regular savings plan. Why save exclusively with paper money, which is susceptible to the erosive powers of inflation, when you can balance such risks by saving in gold with our Gold Accumulation Account (GAA). Simply use our Standing Order form to make monthly or quarterly investments which are automatically debited from your bank. In return you receive the equivalent value in tax-free gold. This way, if you have little savings to start with, you can gradually build up a golden nest egg. In fact, saving by gold accumulation has been a common strategy in India (the world's 2nd largest consumers of gold), where the metal's value as wealth preservation has been embraced for decades.

Pension Gold

Physical Gold Ltd offers the exclusive chance to buy actual gold bullion bars as part of a pension. You will receive the same tax relief off the price of gold as you would any other pension assets. So if you're a higher rate tax payer, this will mean an incredible 40% discount off the gold price. If you're looking for a long term investment and security for your future, pension gold offers the best value for money.

Type of gold

Whilst more people are now aware of the benefits of gold investment, not everyone knows whether to buy gold bars, foreign coins or UK coins. If it is bars - which size will offer the best value and which will be easiest to sell? If you decide that you want gold coins, should you go for old or new coins, proof or bullion, small or large? Our gold consultants will discuss current premiums, present liquidity/demand, tax implications, the need for a balanced portfolio, future liquidity and possible returns.

Step 2 - Investment Instruction

Place an order

When purchasing physical gold outside of your pension, we'll email or post a copy of our Cash Investment Instruction which needs to be completed and returned to ourselves. It details information such as cancellation policy and delivery parameters. You will also keep a copy of this document which provides you with the reassurance of guaranteeing the type, purity and authenticity of gold we will send to you. This comfort is not provided by many other bullion dealers, who will simply send you gold with no supporting documentation. A Pension Investment Instruction is provided for pension gold purchases and you'll need to send a copy to ourselves and the SIPP provider. If you use an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA), they can help complete the necessary details.

ID

If you wish to invest £5,000 or more (or trades totaling £10,000+ in any one year) we will first need 2 forms of ID. We require either original versions or certified copies faxed/emailed through to us. If in doubt, our gold consultant can run through the people who qualify to certify documents. One form of ID needs to be either your passport or photo section of your driving license. The second needs to be a recent utility bill as proof of address. This is required to conform with the latest anti-money laundering requirements, and for customs and excise. We simply keep your details private and on file. This is so that you as an investor in physical gold will not have to pay the same tax upon disposal as someone buying and selling gold as a business.

Step 3 - Payment

Payment

We accept either cheques or bank transfers as payment for lump sums or a Standing Order mandate for regular contributions (GAA). Payments by electronic transfer (CHAPs or internet transfer) will lock in the gold price that day, whereas cheque payment will delay the price fixing until it has cleared. Details of our bank account and a Standing Order form are provided with the contract.

For pension gold, funds are transferred by CHAPs on your behalf by the pension trustee.

Step 4 – Delivery/Storage

Delivery/Storage

Once the funds clear, we can deliver the gold within 7 working days, although in practice you will usually receive your gold within 3 days. We deliver via recorded delivery using either Royal Mail or TNT Express. There are 3 main ways of storing your gold. Either a safe at home, where you'll need to check your terms of home insurance to ensure the value of gold is fully covered. Secondly, most high street banks are able to provide storage facilities in their vaults to customers at an annual charge of around £25-40. Finally you can opt to keep your gold in a safety deposit facility such as those found at www.metropolitansafedeposits.co.uk where a small box will cost around £120+VAT/yr but is accessible for free 7 days a week and includes insurance.

If you do not wish to take possession, we can store the gold on your behalf in one of several global vault locations subject to a minimum of £5,000. All gold is stored with us at Via Mat International, one of the world's premier precious metals facilities, and is fully insured through Lloyds of London. All stored gold is fully allocated and segregated, offering full protection. They are a member of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), and the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). http://www.viamat.com .Charges are 1% annually.