With prices going up on everything, more people are feeling a pinch in their wallets. Pawnshops are a good place to turn if you need a little extra money to help with expenses or an unexpected bill. If you’re planning to sell or pawn your electronics, jewelry, or other valuables, we want to make sure you have the best experience. Here are three important things you should know before you come in to pawn your items.

Know the Value of Your Items

Before you bring your items into the pawnshop, take a little time to research what they’re worth. Search Google for value, check online stores like eBay, and check with shops in your area to see what people are willing to offer. If you know what kind of value your item has, you will be able to better negotiate a good price when you bring it in to pawn.

Yes, pawnshops will negotiate with you. Being polite, professional, and informed is key. When you come in, make sure from your research that you know,

• The high and low prices your items sell for
• The fair market value of the item (if available)
• The rarity of your items

Bring Necessary Items with You

Some people think all they need to have for pawning is just the item itself. However, when you bring items to pawn, you’re entering into a short-term loan contract, so you need to bring other information with you. When you come in to pawn your items, make sure you bring with you,

• Valid state-issued ID
• The items you want to pawn
• Any certificates of authenticity or appraisals
• Any proof of ownership/purchase that you have for high-ticket items

Know Your Budget and What Happens if You Can’t Repay Your Loan

The advantage of a pawnshop over a buy/sell/trade store is that you can take a loan against your items instead of selling them outright. For people who may not want to let go of a family heirloom or valuable jewelry, being able to simply take a loan against the item is ideal. However, it’s important that you don’t take a larger loan than you can reasonably pay and know what happens to your items if you can’t pay your loan as agreed.

If you’re unable to repay your pawn loan as agreed, the pawnshop will keep your items and sell them to pay the loan. It’s always a good practice to only pawn items that you would be willing to sell if you had to – that way you’ll be ready to give up the item if your situation changes and you can’t repay the loan.

Remember that pawn loans are flexible in that you can begin simply wanting a loan for your items and decide later to let the pawnshop keep your items to pay the loan instead if you realize repaying the loan will cause financial hardship. Make sure that you are proactive with the pawnshop if you decide to turn your items over to them before the loan repayment time.

Do You Need Extra Cash in Philadelphia?

Our expert staff is here to help you get the best price for your jewelry, electronics, or other items. If you have questions, contact us today or drop by and we’ll help you walk out with cash.

Have you managed to collect jewelry over the years? Perhaps your engagement ring isn’t so sentimental now that you’ve divorced. Even inherited jewelry doesn’t always hold emotional weight, especially if the style doesn’t suit your tastes. If you have jewelry that you don’t wear anymore, why not put it to use for some extra cash? Let’s look at some of our most pawned jewelry and compare them with your jewelry box.

Precious Metals

Gold, silver, and platinum jewelry are always in high demand. You may consider your solid gold bracelet, silver rope chain, or platinum hoops to be plain. We consider them to be the bedrock of jewelry.

Diamonds

Diamonds never go out of style. With a seemingly limitless number of setting designs, diamonds offer variety and beauty. Their ubiquity makes them one of the most common types of jewelry people bring to pawn shops. Their popularity keeps them in high demand for people coming in looking for a good bargain. Some standout perennial pieces include,

• Engagement and wedding rings
• Tennis bracelets
• Earrings

Other Precious Stones

Don’t let the popularity of diamonds shy you away from bringing in other precious stones. Rubies, emeralds, and birthstones are popular choices for pawning – and wonderful finds for people looking for something unique.

Watches

When you’re considering your jewelry collection, don’t overlook your watches. A working timepiece is a popular choice for pawning. Whether it’s a Rolex, a Timex, an ornamental watch, a pocket watch, or a watch pendant, bring it in and let us have a look.

Antique and Collection Items

Beautiful, valuable, and full of history, antique and collection pieces are another popular choice for pawning. These pieces are unique, sometimes created in limited numbers making them hard to find.

Should I Sell or Pawn My Jewelry?

The answer to that question is uniquely personal. Some people choose to sell their jewelry outright, especially pieces they know they won’t ever wear again – such as previous wedding or engagement pieces. However, if you’re just needing fast cash and know you’ll be able to pay back the loan on time, pawning may be better for you. You will be able to reclaim your jewelry, so you’ll have it to wear in the future – or have it for collateral again just in case.

Before you decide to sell or pawn, as yourself these questions,

• What does this piece mean to me?
• Do I feel good about selling it?
• Is it a piece I could pawn again if I need a fast loan?

If you are going to pawn jewelry and want to ensure you can pay your loan back and reclaim it, remember,

• Consider your budget carefully to make sure you can repay your loan
• Only borrow as much as you absolutely need – just because you can borrow more doesn’t mean you should
• Set aside money as you get it for repaying your loan – this will also help you build saving habits

Do You Need Extra Cash in Philadelphia?

If you have jewelry that you no longer wear, we’re here. If you have questions, contact us today or drop by and we’ll help you walk out with cash.