Getting married is an exciting time. It is also an expensive time as you and your families must plan for large events and a honeymoon. You want to find ways to save money without sacrificing your perfect day. Most couples overlook one of the biggest ways they can save money on their big day: their wedding ring. While wedding rings can be expensive, buying your rings from a pawn shop can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. To get the best ring for your money, our jewelry experts here at Cash Express have five tips you should follow when buying your ring at a pawn shop. 

Discuss Your Ideal Type of Wedding Ring

Before you begin shopping for wedding rings, discuss with your partner what kind of rings you want. Are you looking for a perfect match between both of your rings? Do you prefer gold or silver? Are diamonds a must-have? Choosing the general characteristics that you want for your rings will help you choose the perfect wedding rings and avoid choice overload.

Research Rings and Prices

Before you begin shopping, do research on wedding rings and prices. Look at what wedding sets sell for in both jewelry stores and pawn shops in your area. This will give you an idea of what to expect in pricing. You should also research diamond cuts and karat weights for diamonds and gold to see how these affect pricing. This information will help you negotiate a good price later. 

Take Your Time and Be Flexible

Don’t rush into buying your jewelry. Take time to shop around and browse jewelry selections. Pawn shops have a wide selection of bridal jewelry, and they add to their selection on a regular basis. If you give yourself time to look, you will be able to find a piece you will fall in love with rather than feeling like you must settle for something. Remember to be flexible. You’ve discussed the kinds of jewelry you prefer but remember lots of styles can fit into those preferences. 

Be Ready to Negotiate

One of the best things about buying jewelry from a pawn shop is your ability to negotiate the price. Pawn shops have some room to come down on pricing with you. Some of the tips already discussed will help you in your negotiations, such as researching price and ring characteristics. Another way to gain negotiating leverage is to be willing and ready to pay cash for your wedding rings. Pawn shops are often willing to drop prices when you pay cash because they, in turn, avoid processing fees. 

Bring Pawnable Items

Once you settle on a price for your perfect wedding ring, you can further lower the price you have to pay by trading in other pawnable items. Jewelry is always best to bring in for trade, but that’s not the only thing pawn shops are ready to buy. If you have electronics, leather items, power tools, or fine collectibles, you can bring those in as well to help pay for your wedding rings. 

Are You Looking for a Wedding Ring in Philadelphia? 

Stop by or contact us today. We’re here, serving Philadelphia and surrounding areas.

You need fast cash to cover an expense and don’t want to get a bank loan. Maybe you don’t have time to wait for a bank approval, or you don’t have the credit to secure a good rate. Pawn loans help people across the Philadelphia meet their short-term cash needs. However, when you come into a pawn shop for a loan, you want to make sure you get the best deal for your items. Let’s look at how to get the best deal from your Philadelphia pawn shops.

Choose Items That Will Fetch a Good Price

When you’re deciding what items to pawn, ask yourself, would you be able to sell it? Remember, pawn shops loan money to you, with the items you pawn as collateral. If you can’t repay the loan, their risk in lending is covered by being able to sell the item. Items in poor condition won’t get you a good price. Pawnshops typically look for items such as,

• Jewelry and watches
• Art pieces or antiques
• Some leather goods
• Power tools
• Rare metals
• Guns and other weapons`

Take a Moment to Clean Items

Before you bring your items into the pawn shop, be sure to carefully clean them. Remove any bits of dust and dirt. Polish is good for items, provided you have the appropriate polish for wood items, jewelry, or leather. The extra care will be worth it when your jewelry or collectable item gets you a better offer for your loan.

Don’t Forget the Package

If you still have the original cases, packaging, and boxes for your items, including any manuals or certificates of authenticity, bring them. This also includes any accessories for power tools that came in the original packaging, cords for electronics, and repair tools that sometimes come with watches and other designer pieces.

Price Your Items Ahead of Time

Take time to research the market value of the items you want to pawn. If you know what to reasonably ask for in a price, you’re more likely to get a better offer for your items. Remember, you may not get the full market value. The market value is an average of prices that will vary from area to area and based on the specific condition of your item. It is also based on what the pawn shop expects to sell the item for if you can’t repay your loan.

Once You’re at the Pawn Shop

Now that you know how to get a good price for your items, what happens when you get here? At Cash Express, we will make sure you have a good experience that will bring you back again, whether for a future loan, to sell items, or to buy something from our wonderful selection. When you come in we’ll,

• Look at your item, discuss with you its market value and what we’re able to offer you for a loan
• Discuss the terms of your loan, including interest, your repayment plan, and what happens if you can’t repay your loan balance
• Ensure you understand the terms, are happy with your loan amount, and walk away with the cash you need

Your Pawn Shop in Philadelphia

Do you need cash for an unexpected expense? Cash Express is here serving the Philadelphia area. Stop by or contact us today.

If you’ve looked at the pawn shops in your town and thought to yourself that they always been around, you’re more correct than you know. Pawn brokerage – the act of making a loan with items as collateral – has been around for a long time. It’s history traces the history of human commerce. It’s a fascinating story.

The Ancient World

Many economic concepts that we think of as belonging primarily to the modern world have their roots in ancient cultures. As far back as 3000 years ago, the ancient Chinese were using pawn brokerage as part of their commerce. It’s unknown if the practice spread from Ancient China to other parts of the world, but we do know from Roman writings that Ancient Greece had used this practice as well. The Romans also used pawn brokerage (the word Pawn is derived from the Roman word “Patinum”) and the Romans codified practices still used in the industry today.

Of course, the earliest pawn brokers didn’t operate in shops like they do today. Most were individuals who provided short-term loans to peasants, with everyday clothing being some of the most pawned items (as these were most valuable things early peasants possessed). Various merchants would utilize pawn brokerage as a way to start up their shops or fund ships for trade.

Medieval Europe

Pawn brokerage thrived largely unregulated in Medieval Europe despite the Catholic Church having rules against Christians lending to each other with interest. During this time, most pawn brokers were Jewish. Even though Mosaic Law prohibited Jews from interest lending with each other, they could lend with interest to non-Jews.

Pawning in the Medieval Europe was not just something for the peasantry and merchants. Nobility also engaged in pawning valuable items. King Edward III pawned his jewels to fund his war against France in the 14^th Century. Queen Isabella of Spain pawned her jewelry in order to fund the voyage of Christopher Columbus.

The Dawn of Regulations

Several factors, political and economic, combined to lead to regulation of pawn brokerage beginning around the 18^th century. During this time, pawn brokering fell under suspicion as many suspected thieves of using pawn brokers to sell stolen goods. In addition, interests rates in the preceding centuries fluctuated greatly, especially as political entities moved from borrowing from pawn brokers to creating their own state-control brokerages.

Some of the most influential regulations of pawn brokerage come from England and Ireland in the 19^th Century. The Pawnbrokers Act of 1800 came as a relief to many pawn brokers, who had seen interest rates cut severely in England prior to the passage of the Act. Unfortunately, numerous unpopular changes would occur to the act, leading up to the Pawnbrokers Act of 1872, which helped to stabilize the industry and lead to its growth.

Modern Pawn

In the United States, pawn brokers are among some of the most heavily regulated industries. From background checks for brokers to ID requirements for those bringing in items, the regulations help protect both pawn businesses and consumers from fraud and abuse.

Where Does the Pawn Broker Symbol Come From?

You’ve likely noticed that most pawn shops feature a variation of three gold balls hanging from a bar. It has been a common symbol for pawn brokers since about the 18^th century. No one agrees on the origins of the symbol. Some say it comes from the Medici family while others claim it originates from the Lombards, both of whom were powerful families involved in early pawn brokerage.

Another legend of the symbol attributes it to Saint Nicholas of Myra, who is the patron saint of pawnbrokers. According to the legend of Saint Nicholas – yes, the same Saint Nicholas the legend of Santa Claus derives from – he gave a bag of gold to three poor girls to save them from destitution, which is symbolized by the three hanging balls.

Your Pawn Shop in Philadelphia

Whether you need extra cash or want to find savings on jewelry and electronics, Cash Express is here serving the Philadelphia area. Stop by or contact us today.

Whether you’re looking for an engagement ring, a nice necklace to wear for an event, or a new piece for your jewelry box, if you’re not already including a pawn shop in your search – first, hello and welcome! Second, we have four key reasons why you should buy your next piece of jewelry from a pawn shop. We even have a few fast tips to ensure you get the best value on that purchase.

Pawn Shops Are an Affordable Option to Jewelry Stores

Quality jewelry is expensive. Purchasing an engagement ring from a jewelry store will cost you upwards of thousands of dollars. Diamond and other precious stone jewelry can be just as expensive depending on the purity of gold and size of the gems you’re looking for. Pawnshops, however, offer you the same quality of jewelry at a fraction of the cost. How? By offering you pre-owned jewelry. At Cash Express Ark Jewelry, we inspect all jewelry we bring in to ensure that the quality you purchase from us will meet and exceed your expectations.

Pawn Shops Guarantee Authenticity

When people bring their jewelry in to Ark Jewelry, we authenticate what they offer to sell us. Is the gold the karat weight they said it is? Are the gemstones real? Does “limited edition” piece include its certificate of authenticity? Before our jewelry goes into the sales case, we ensure it’s the quality you expect from us.

Pawn Shops Offer a Wide and Varied Selection

When you browse a pawn shop’s jewelry selection, you’re experiencing something unique. Pawn shops don’t offer whatever a corporation has decided is fashionable for that season. Instead, the offer the jewelry sold to them by individuals, jewelry that can be as new as the jewelry you’ll find now in stores or from decades ago.

Pawn Shops Offer Consumers Versatility

In addition to the affordability and selection, pawn shops offer versatility in how you pay for your new jewelry. You could just come, find that ideal ring, necklace, or watch, and pay for your new jewelry outright. Or you could bring in your own old jewelry, electronics, or other pawn-ready items to pawn or sell to pay for your new jewelry. You can even buy that nice bracelet you have your eye on now and use it as collateral for a loan later if you find yourself in a pinch for cash.

Get the Best Deal in Your Jewelry Purchase

Now that you know why you should purchase your next jewelry item from a pawn shop, how do you ensure you get the best deal?

• Research the pawn shops in your area to guarantee you will get the best selection and service. Talk to your friends or coworkers who use pawn shops. Look at reviews.
• Come in ready to negotiate a price. Most pawn shops allow some negotiation in pricing.
• Think outside the box about what you are looking for. Because pawn shops have such a wide variety of jewelry, you’ll be happier (and possibly save a little more) if you come in with an idea of what you want but are willing to browse.

Are You Looking for Jewelry in Philadelphia?

Stop by or contact us today. We’re here, serving Philadelphia and surrounding areas.

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.

Selling gold coins and jewelry is a good way to get fast cash when you need it. Whether your gold is from your collection, inheritance, or jewelry you’ve just stopped wearing, it’s important that you get the best price for your gold. Here is what you need to know about selling your gold to a pawnshop.

What Do Pawnshops Use to Determine Gold’s Value?

Individual pawnshops vary in what they pay for gold. Your gold’s value will depend on several factors including,

• The current price of gold
• The condition of your gold jewelry or coins
• What the pawnshop expects to make from selling your gold
• How easy your gold coins or jewelry will be to sell

Typically, gold jewelry is the best to sell to a pawnshop since people often come to pawnshops for deals on these items for gifts.

How Do I Get the Best Price for My Gold?

You know what goes into the value of your gold. Now let’s look at what you can do to get more of that value as cash when you sell your gold to a pawnshop.

Research. Look up the kind of jewelry you’re wanting to sell – by checking other pawn shops or online sites like eBay – to get an idea of what your gold jewelry is worth.

Get your jewelry appraised. Visit an appraiser and have them tell you the value of your jewelry. Bring the appraisal document with you when you sell your gold.

Bring documentation you have about your gold. If you’re selling art or a collectible piece (gold coins, rare jewelry, etc) bring documentation that proves its authenticity.

Know the rules. Pawnshops have rules and regulations they follow to operate as businesses. Know your local rules for pawnshops. This will help you know when you’re dealing with a fair and reputable shop and help you prepare for any identification and documentation the shop may need for the sale.

Clean your gold jewelry. Take time to clean up your gold and jewelry before you bring it to the shop. Use a dry cloth and no chemicals (chemicals can wear away gold). If you must, use a damp cloth to help you clean your gold and dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth.

Sell outright. Pawnshops offer you the flexibility to pawn your jewelry (that is, get a loan with your jewelry as collateral) instead of selling it outright. If you know you can pay back the loan and that you will want your gold or jewelry later, this is a good option for you. However, if you’re just interested in selling it, most pawn shops will give you a better price when you offer to sell outright.

Are You Ready to Sell Your Gold?

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

If you’re considering purchasing a high-ticket item, such as a television, smartphone, or computer, you’ve likely encountered a question. Do you purchase a protection plan or do you stick with the manufacturer’s warranty? Determining the right answer depends on a few factors, so let’s look at the difference between a warranty and a protection plan.

What is a Warranty?

A warranty is an agreement by the manufacturer of an item and is included in the purchase price. While exact coverage and terms vary, generally a warranty is a statement that the manufacturer will cover the repair or replacement of a defective item or part within a specified timeframe. Warranties can be as short as 90-days from initial purchase to as long as the lifetime of the product.

What is a Protection Plan?

A protection plan is a separate agreement between a customer and a retailer that provides additional protection for a product outside of the warranty. Some protection plans simply extend the time a product is guaranteed against defects while others are essentially service contracts that cover defects as well as accidental damage. Terms of a protection plan can vary; some examples include 1-year protection plans, 3-year protection plans, and 5-year protection plans.

Is a Product I Purchase at Cash Express Covered Under Warranty?

That depends on the product and the manufacturer. Some product warranties are short-term, 90-days to a few years, and products may be outside of the warranty period when their original owners turn them over to us. Some products may have a lifetime warranty. Sometimes those lifetime warranties transfer ownership, other times they do not. It depends on the specific terms of that manufacturer’s warranty.

Our knowledgeable staff can help you determine if a product is still eligible and covered under a warranty.

When Should I Purchase a Protection Plan?

Protection plans are a smart investment for items you intend to use for an extended period and whose cost of repair or replacement might be out of budget. Even if a product is still under a transferrable warranty, warranties typically only cover defects in an item, not wear or accidental damage. A protection plan helps ensure you can repair or replace your valuable item if something unexpected happens.

Whether you’re looking to purchase tools, a television, a smartphone, a computer, or any valuable item, you want to ensure that your purchase is a protected investment. Visit our store or contact us today with your questions about our products and the protection plans available.

When is a purse not just a purse? When it’s a designer handbag. For some, a designer handbag is a mark of luxury and a sign that you’ve “made it” in your life goals. Unfortunately, designer handbags come at a steep price and even if you’ve met your financial or career goals, you might not want to spend the money for one. Or maybe you’re still working on those goals and hoping to dress for success. Either way, here are some reasons you should consider getting your designer handbag at a pawnshop.

They’re More Affordable

It should go without saying, but you can save 50% or more on a designer handbag from a pawn shop. While the handbags are used, most are in excellent condition – after all, the pawnshop only wants to buy handbags they know they can sell. If you take the time to examine the bags available in your local pawn shop, you are sure to find a beautiful luxury purse at huge savings.

You Can Find Hard-to-Find Designer Handbags

Because people will often choose older items they don’t use to pawn or sell to a pawn shop, you may find handbags that you just won’t find anymore. This can include designs that you can’t find in stores anymore. Pawnshops can be treasure-troves for hard-to-find items, especially handbags, as people will sometimes pawn items left to them by loved ones.

You Can Find Handbags from Previous Seasons

Have you ever seen a handbag that you really liked and decided to wait until you have the money, only for it to be gone a couple of months later? Like all fashion, handbags often follow the seasons for their styles and trends. If you want a designer handbag, but aren’t happy with the current selection, check out your local pawn shop. You may find an older designer bag in the style you prefer.

You Can Also Save Money on Current Trends

Have you ever bought something, used it once, and realized that you won’t need it again? This happens more often than people realize, and pawn shops are an excellent solution. You can take that item you aren’t going to use and get some of your money back for it.

Consider that people do this with handbags all the time. Just as you can find older designer handbags at pawnshops, just as often you can find newer designs as well. So, stop into your local pawnshop and browse their selections. You might find that designer bag you saw at the department store at a much lower price.

Are you looking for a designer handbag? Do you need a loan for an emergency? Do you just want some extra cash? Contact us today. We’re here, serving Philadelphia and surrounding areas.

Sometimes an unexpected bill or emergency can throw us for a loop, leaving us struggling to pay our regular expenses. A quick short-term loan can help you meet your expenses. Two popular choices are pawn loans and payday loans, but which is better? Let’s look at both types of loans and the benefits and drawbacks of each one.

What is a Pawn Loan?

Pawning is the act of putting up an item of value as collateral for a loan – known as a pawn loan. You can pawn a variety of items including jewelry, electronics, and even some antiques. When you enter into a pawn loan agreement, the pawnshop agrees to loan you an amount that is a percentage of what the item or items are worth. If you repay your loan within the agreed timeframe, you receive your item(s) back.

What is a Payday Loan?

A payday loan is a short-term loan that you pay back on your next payday. Typically, a payday loan company will determine the maximum amount you can borrow between pay periods and you can take a loan up to that amount. On your payday, the loan company your bank account for the loan plus interest charges. You usually have the option to pay the loan before your payday to avoid the automatic draft to your account. Note that payday loan companies may require that you have direct deposit in your bank account, as this is how they “guarantee” you pay back the loan.

Which Loan Is Right for You?

Choosing between a payday loan and a pawn loan depends on your needs and what you have available to you.

Both types of loans have their advantages and disadvantages as you can see above. If you’re willing to have the loan company draft your bank account, a payday loan seems like a good option, as you don’t have to put valuable items up for collateral. However, what happens if you can’t repay your loan?

In the case of a payday loan, if you can’t repay your loan, your bank account is drafted anyway, leaving you with overdraft fees. If your bank pays the draft, you must pay the negative balance on your account (which will take away from your next paycheck). If your bank doesn’t pay the overdraft, the payday loan company will turn your loan over to a collector, where it then goes on your credit report.

With a pawn loan, however, if you can’t repay your loan, the pawnshop simply keeps the item(s) you pawn and puts them up for sale in the shop. While this means you don’t get your item back, it also means no collection calls and no defaulted loan on your credit report.

Why You Should Choose a Pawn Loan Over a Payday Loan

Flexible payment options are the number one reason you should choose a pawn loan over a payday loan. With a pawn loan, you and the pawnshop can negotiate the terms of your loan, including how long you have to pay. This means that you can budget payments over time to ensure you pay your loan and get your items back. With a payday loan, you have no choice but to pay your loan back on your payday. For many people, this means that you don’t have that money after your next payday, which leads many people to take out a new payday loan, often for several pay periods until they can catch up again.

Do you need a loan for an emergency? Do you just want some extra cash? Contact us today to discuss your needs. We’re here, serving Philadelphia and surrounding areas.