Risk Disclosures
Obligation to Disclose Risks
Both we as a company and our business partners are required to transparently inform buyers about potential risks. Every form of asset investment — regardless of whether it involves physical or digital assets — carries risks of loss up to and including total loss of capital.
The legal requirements in the precious metals and diamond trade obligate us to comprehensively inform you about all relevant risks. Please take the time to review this information thoroughly.
Notes on Gold Investment
Scope of Our Advisory Services
Our advisory aims to assist customers in purchasing gold bars for value preservation. However, it is important to understand that this advisory does not meet the requirements of investment advice as defined by Section 1(1a) Sentence 2 No. 1 of the German Banking Act (KWG). Accordingly, every purchase decision is based exclusively on the customer’s independent judgment.
Full responsibility for purchase decisions lies with the customer. Any potential total loss from the acquisition of gold bars through our trading company is solely borne by the buyer.
Price Volatility & Limitation of Liability
As a precaution, we point out that the gold price is subject to significant fluctuations at times and that every investment decision should be carefully considered. All return expectations mentioned in advisory discussions do not constitute binding commitments — they are based on thorough research but may contain errors.
It follows that no liability claims — of any kind — can be asserted against Hartmann & Benz GmbH.
Our strong recommendation: When purchasing gold bars, only invest capital whose loss would not affect your overall financial situation. Only invest amounts that you could afford to lose entirely in the worst case.
Investment Goal & Absence of Return Guarantee
Before making a purchase, we recommend clearly defining your own investment goal and critically evaluating whether this goal can be achieved through the acquisition of gold bars within the desired time horizon.
Despite the remarkable appreciation of gold over the past two decades, there is no certainty that this development will continue in a comparable manner in the future.
Neither our advisory nor the content of our website constitutes a guarantee of future returns — NO GUARANTEE of any kind.
We reserve the right to continuously update the content of our website to reflect the current state of knowledge. In this context as well, all liability claims from customers or third parties are excluded.
Specific Risk Factors When Purchasing Gold Bars
Price Volatility in the Gold Market
The gold price is continuously determined at the LBMA and is subject to sometimes significant movements. Daily changes of several percent or cumulative fluctuations of up to 25% within a few months are not uncommon.
Limited Predictability
No actor — neither political decision-makers nor market analysts nor industry leaders — is able to reliably predict market dynamics on a sustained basis.
Ancillary Costs in Gold Trading
When selling gold bars, various costs arise that reduce returns. These include production fees upon delivery as well as premiums during the sales process.
Credit-Financed Investment
Those who finance their gold purchase through a loan bear, in addition to the price risk, the ongoing burden of interest and repayment obligations — regardless of how the value of the gold bar develops.
Enforcement Risk
In principle, there is a possibility that creditors may attempt to access precious metal holdings or seek their seizure.
Insolvency Risk
In the event of a platform insolvency, the appointed administrator may restrict the release of assets or delay their handover.
Fraud Risk
It may occur that gold bars are delivered late, incompletely, or in the worst case not at all. Trustworthy providers ensure proper processing and secure custody of all holdings at all times.
Limited Insurance Coverage
Even with insured gold holdings, there is no guarantee that the insurer will provide full reimbursement in the event of a claim.
Jurisdictional Risk with Swiss Storage
Since the precious metals are stored in Switzerland, any disputes are subject to Swiss law. For citizens of the European Union, this may involve additional effort and costs.
Tax Risks
Changes in tax legislation may affect the tax treatment of gold assets — particularly in the case of cross-border acquisition or storage abroad.
By acknowledging this risk warning, you confirm that you have been informed about the material risks of precious metal investments. You are aware that this presentation cannot comprehensively cover all risks associated with precious metal trading or corresponding investments.