Are you in need of some fast cash? Maybe you have a bill that needs to be paid or maybe you’re late on your rent. Whatever the case, if you need money fast, a pawn shop just might be the solution. At Cash Express of Philadelphia, we help customers with a wide range of requests and we can help you determine what kinds of items are most likely to sell in the shop.

For those who need money fast, we understand. You’ve probably asked your friends and your family members to help you out but come up empty-handed. In this kind of situation, a pawn shop is the perfect solution. Pawn shops buy a wide variety of items and we’ve compiled a quick list to help you get started.

Almost every pawn shop you visit will buy goods that are in local demand. This means that depending on where you are located, your pawn shop will have specific needs. For example, one pawn shop might be particularly interested in buying firearms while another pawn shop might be more interested in buying women’s handbags. The good news is that most pawn brokers will work with you if the offer is right and if you have something of value. However, the following items are almost always in demand:

• Precious metals

You’ve probably seen all the commercials telling you to bring in your gold for cash. This is because gold has almost doubled in value over the last ten years. Gold is considered the most valuable asset to ward off inflation and trading precious metals is good business for pawn shops. Other precious metals like silver and platinum are also in demand.

• Diamonds and gemstones

Do you have any diamonds or gemstones in your possession? Diamonds are always sought after at pawn shops because of their universal appeal, their scarcity and their high demand. Diamonds can’t be mass-produced at a factory, so there’s no chance of their value being decimated. Gemstones are also great for pawn shops. The demand is high and most people consider buying jewelry at a pawn shop as an alternative to an expensive department store.

• Watches

Pawn shops love to buy watches. If you have any in your home that don’t get used, consider taking them to a pawn shop to make some quick cash. Pawn shops love selling watches because they are always unique and they appeal to many different buyers. Watch brands such as Omega and Movado can often sell for $500 each. Higher-end brands like Rolex and Ulysses can sell for about $1,000.

• Firearms

There’s probably not a pawn shop around that doesn’t love selling guns. Firearms are always best-sellers at pawn shops and are some of the most lucrative items they have in stock. If you’ve got any guns collecting dust down your basement, bring them in to your local pawn shop and make a few bucks.

Have you ever wondered if there is a difference between selling and pawning? Maybe you have never stepped foot in a pawn shop and are curious about how they work. At Cash Express, we offer a huge variety of items for our customers and we’re always ready to help explain the process, too.

• Selling

Many people like selling items at pawn shops because there are no strings attached. Just like you might sell an item at a yard sale or in an online store, selling involves setting a price and then, in most cases, letting the item go to the first paying customer. Many people enjoy selling because it’s a quick and simple process. If you sell your item to a pawn shop, you aren’t expected to do anything after the transaction. Pawning, on the other hand, is a little different.

• Pawning

Most people like to think of pawning as a loan placed on collateral. Whatever item you put up for money is called the pawn. Many kinds of items can be pawned, such as precious metals, gemstones, watches, jewelry and firearms. Electronics and power tools are also popular items at most pawn shops.

Instead of selling your item outright to the pawn shop owner, in the case of pawning you borrow money against the particular item. The most money that you will likely receive on a pawned item is about 10% of its total value. Most pawns are good for between 60-90 days. The pawn shop will hold your item until you pay back the loan in full. Most pawn shops also charge interest as well as a storage fee.

Pawn shops have been around for years and if you’ve never checked one out, now might be the perfect time. At Cash Express of Philadelphia, we are always ready to help our visitors have a satisfying experience, whether it’s through buying, pawning or selling. If you want to shop for quality items at half the price of regular store prices, then check out Cash Express.