Bicycles have always been popular items, whether as a mode of transportation or means of exercise.

As people become more conscious about the potential downsides of driving in cars so often — cost, pollution, and lack of exercise, among others — are making them even more favored by people all over.

Consequently, bicycles are in strong demand at many pawn shops. Of course, you can’t just bring your bike to any pawn shop to get the best price. Below, we’ll go over how to make the most money selling your bike to a pawn shop.

Polish Up Your Bike

If you’re an avid biker, there’s a good chance your bike has seen some wear and tear. So first and foremost, you’ll want to make sure your bike’s in as great shape as possible — the better condition it’s in, the more money you’ll make.

No need to do a complete makeover, though. Do some basic maintenance: oil the chains, fill the tires, secure the nuts and bolts, make sure the seat is in good condition, etc.

Also, consider cleaning the bike up. See if you can fix any scuffs anywhere to enhance its appearance.

Lastly, make sure you have any accessors, such as an air pump, helmet, and, if your bike has one, a basket. Every accessory offers a slightly better case for someone buying your bike, meaning you could earn a few more bucks.

Research Your Bike Online

Once your bike is looking good, it’d be a great idea to poke around online and see how much similar bikes sell for. Doing so will give you a solid expectation of what you’ll make on your own.

First, look for your make and model online. Write down the price you find for each one.

Additionally, visit a few pawn shops and see what kind of bikes they have for sale. Keep track of those prices as well.

Now, pawn shops won’t buy your bike for as much as they might be selling other similar bikes. After all, they have to make money, so keep that in mind.

Find a Good Pawn Shop

With a polished up bike and information in hand, it’s time to find a pawn shop.

But don’t go with just any pawn shop. Not all will give you the best price.

Additionally, some pawn shops don’t take bikes at all. They won’t be able to help you much.

Do some research to find pawn shops near you that specialize in bicycles and other sporting items. The extra time spent looking for these shops will pay off in spades when you get the money you deserve.

Looking to sell a bike? Cash Express is happy to take a look at yours. We take plenty of other items as well — especially jewelry, watches, and metals — so bring your stuff down to our pawn shop in Philadelphia today!

It seems like TVs leap in technological advancement with each passing year. Today, you can get a large, high-quality flat-screen TV for only a few hundred dollars.

That means you’ve probably considered getting rid of your old one. 

But don’t throw it out or sell it for pennies at a garage sale.

You see, pawn shops love TVs. Everyone wants one, so they sell easily. 

You can make good money off your flat-screen — enough to cover a good chunk of a new TV — by bringing it to a pawn shop near you.

Here’s a quick guide on getting the most bank for your TV buck.

How to Pawn Your Flat-Screen TV

Nabbing the best price at a pawn shop will require some preparation. Research your TV before heading to the pawn shop so you can make sure you get a fair price.

Pay Attention to Brand

Different brands hold different weights. The best brands tend to be those that are reliable and have a lot of name recognition.

Some of these brands include:

• LG
• Panasonic
• Samsung
• Sony

Other renowned names like Sharp and Vizio won’t fetch as high a price as the above brands, but you’ll still make good money.

Then, there are lower-tier brands like Insignia and Toshiba. You’ll still be able to earn something off these TVs, but don’t expect a ton.

Consider Size

Size is a huge consideration for anyone buying a TV. Naturally, pawn shops will fork over a lot of money if your TV is large. 

Anything that’s at least 42 inches will get you a good price. If it’s especially massive, you could expect several hundred dollars.

Smaller TVs over 26 inches but less than 42 inches will get you something, but not a ton.

And lastly, don’t expect much — if anything at all — for TVs under 26 inches. They just don’t have much demand.

Remember, pawn shops have to make money. If they’re not able to mark up an already low-demand TV and make a profit, they won’t likely take it.

Shop Around For the Best Offer

Pawn shops are subject to the same laws of supply and demand that any other business is. If a pawn shop has a lot of TVs and not a lot of buyers, you aren’t going to get a good price.

Likewise, a pawn shop that can’t seem to hold onto TVs for more than a day will pay you much more — because they can mark up the TV more and make a bigger profit.

With this in mind, shop around at several shops to see what offers you get.

One other quick tip: bring the box, cables, and remote if you have them. You’ll get more money out of your TV.

Cash Out Your Flat-Screen For a New One

Our Philadelphia pawn shop has some flat-screens in stock if you want to replace yours. But if you don’t want a new TV, feel free to take a look at our other items. Bring your TV into Cash Express today — let’s get you a good price.

Sometimes, money’s tight. You need some extra cash for food, rent, or something else, and you might be wishing you could get your hands on $1,000 within a day or two.

Fortunately, pawn shops make that possible. You can bring your item to a pawn shop like Cash Express and walk out the same day with money in hand.

Some items fetch a better price than others, though. Below, we’ll discuss a few things you can bring into a pawn shop to help you walk out with at least $1,000.

But first: pawn or sell?

Should I Pawn or Sell My Items?

That depends.

Pawning an item gets you a short-term loan — with the item as collateral. There are no credit checks, either.

And if you can’t pay it back plus interest, the worst that happens is you lose your item.

Still, pawn shops know their customers might be in tough financial situations, and they’re willing to help. They often will give an extension if you’re having trouble paying back the loan.

Your other option is to sell. Selling will usually net a higher price, but, of course, you don’t get your item back.

Items to Pawn or Sell For $1,000

Pawn shops have to deal with several costs, such as storage space, licenses, labor, and other store expenses. They need to earn enough to cover all these, plus make a profit.

The result?

Small, high-demand items are pawn shop favorites. Pawn shops can get the most money out of these items while minimizing their storage costs.

Here are some of those items.

Watches

Watches can fetch much more than $1,000 at a pawn shop, depending on several factors. 

Brand is one of the most important. Rolexes, Breitlings, and Chopards (to name a few) could earn you thousands of dollars.

Other factors influencing watch proceeds include:

• Condition
• Being made of precious metals
• Being a collector’s item

Diamond Rings

Diamond rings are an obvious choice for a few reasons. First of all, people looking to save money on a ring often go to pawn shops. Also, pawn shops don’t even need to sell the ring to make money. They can take it apart and sell each piece separately.

Jewelry

Most other kinds of jewelry will sell well, too. They’re small for easy storage, yet are in high demand by people who want jewelry at a bargain.

Jewelry not in good condition? You can still sell it for scrap metal at a pawn shop.

Firearms

Some pawn shops won’t give you the best prices on guns. You’ll want to visit a pawn show that specializes in firearms.

Additionally, not all guns fetch a high price. Do your research on your gun’s value and make sure it’s in good condition.

Lastly, make sure you have all relevant paperwork and licensing. Otherwise, you can’t pawn or sell your guns.

Other Items You Can Pawn For Less Than $1,000

Here are some items that won’t fetch such a high price, but are worth bringing to a pawn shop anyways if you need some spare cash.

• Electronics
• Less valuable firearms and watches
• Golf clubs
• Mountain bikes
• Tools (especially power tools)
• Gym equipment
• Musical instruments

Need $1,000 today? Cash Express would love to help. We take a wide variety of items, but we especially love jewelry and precious metals. Bring your items to our Philadelphia pawn shop today for some quick cash!

Earlier in 2020, companies small and large suffered when lockdowns and social distancing measures were put in place.

Doors are now slowly opening, but many businesses are still struggling to get by — especially smaller businesses that don’t have tons of cash to sit on.

Yet despite the hard economic times we’re all in, business has been booming for pawn shops. Many may wonder how such a specific industry can do so well right now when other businesses are not.

Why Are Pawn Shops Doing So Well During These Tumultuous Times?

In many states, pawn shops have been granted the “essential business” title, joining the ranks of other critical enterprises such as grocery stores and banks. Consequently, they’ve been allowed to continue their operations, as long as they follow and enforce social distance and mask protocols.

But why are they so essential? It’s a valid question. Pawn shops seem like the last type of business to be considered necessary for survival, but they’re more important than you think.

Customers Are Leveraging Their Items For Financial Assistance

Pawn shops are essential because of their ability to make loans.

Not just any loans, though. Pawn loans.

These are short-term loans that require no credit check. You borrow against an item of value to get them, and you can have the money in as little as a couple of hours. All you have to do is pay back the loan plus interest and fees within 30 days to get your item back.

If you can’t pay it back, the worst that happens is you lose your item. No credit score damage and no debt collectors here.

People can also sell their items outright if they don’t need it. Pawn shops are one of the easiest places to get rid of any miscellaneous items of value you have.

But that doesn’t explain why they’re doing so well. More on that next.

Many Pawn Shop Items Are in High Demand

In times like these, specific items become sought after — especially when everyone is locked inside.

Pawn shops happen to carry many of these items.

For example, video games and video game consoles are flying off the shelves. When you’re stuck in your house all day, you have much more time to fire up a console and play.

Lockdowns also led to a great increase in remote work, too. As a result, desktops and laptops are also selling well at pawn shops.

Then, of course, people are buying up firearms and ammunition. It’s grim to think about, but owning a firearm can make you feel more secure in uncertain times. And since firearms are expensive items, a pawn shop is where most people turn to when money isn’t as stable.

Stimulus Checks

Most Americans received several hundred to a few thousand dollars in stimulus money. Much of the money is bound to be spent on good deals at pawn shops.

Pawn Shops Are Strict About Social Distancing

Since pawn shops are essential, the government’s eye is on them. They are extra careful about social distancing, ensuring everyone wears a mask and remains properly distanced. Items and surfaces are sanitized frequently.

Want some extra cash to pad your savings? Need a laptop to work from home? Don’t worry — at Cash Express, we have plenty of items available. We love jewelry and precious metals, so if you have any, bring them in today!

The economy is recovering, but things are still a little shaky out there. Many people are looking for ways to leverage what they have to get some extra money.

One common action people take is to use valuable items — such as artwork — to get some extra cash temporarily. Many times, this happens at pawn shops.

But is pawning your art a legit way to get money from your artwork? Or should you go the traditional route, such as using an auction house or selling to someone privately? Read on to see why a pawn shop is a viable option.

Get Cash Fast... Without Losing Your Artwork

Pawn shops offer you the unique opportunity to leverage your art for cash today — yet you don’t have to let go of your art. This is possible through pawn loans.

Pawn loans require no credit checks, and you can get them in as little as a day. You secure the loan with your artwork. As long as you pay back the loan balance plus fees and interest in 30 days, you get your art back.

In many cases, borrowers aren’t getting a pawn loan out of necessity or desperation. Perhaps a unique investment opportunity presents itself to you, but you don’t get paid until next week. Pawning your art provides you that capital to buy into said investment opportunity. Then, you can pay back the loan when you receive your paycheck.

What If You Sell Your Art?

Perhaps you aren’t as attached to your art, and you’d rather earn money that you don’t have to pay back. That’s understandable.

Pawn shops make it easy to sell your art, too.

See, the traditional routes take time. If you sell to someone else, you might have to go through a broker. You’ll endure a lengthy appraisal process and owe commissions to your broker (and perhaps other parties involved in the process).

What if you use an auction house?

In this case, you won’t have the final say on your artwork’s price. Whoever has the best bid, wins. Sure, there’s a chance you might wind up with more than you hoped for, but it’s more likely you’ll get less.

At a pawn shop, you have more choice. One pawn shop low-balled you? Leave them behind and visit a different pawn shop. As long as you demand a reasonable amount for your artwork, you’re more likely to get the price you want through pawn shops.

Bring Your Artwork to Cash Express in Philadelphia

Need some extra cash for the short-term? If you have some artwork, Cash Express would be happy to lend you money against it. Just bring your art into our Philadelphia pawn shop so we can take a look at it. We’ll get money into your hands within a few hours!

Decluttering your house? Your first thought may be to have a garage sale. You know, clean out your home and make a few bucks.

But yard sales aren’t your only option — and they may not be the best, either.

Pawn shops could actually be the better choice. Here are some reasons to consider a pawn shop in Philadelphia like Cash Express.

You Can Keep Your Items in Some Cases

Selling isn’t your only option at pawn shops. If you need some quick cash but want to keep your item, you can pawn it for a loan.

The pawnbroker holds onto the item for 30 days. As long as you pay back the loan plus interest and fees, you get your item back. No credit checks required. Plus, if you can’t pay back the loan, you only lose the item — not your credit score.

A Better Price

You may not know the true value of most items you’re selling at a garage sale. You could be leaving money at the table by selling these items at a massive discount.

Most pawn brokers bring in an industry expert to appraise your item. Who knows: you may end up earning $100 on an item you would’ve sold for $10 at a yard sale.

No Setup Required

Yard sales require a lot of tedious setup. First of all, you have to arrange all your items in an organized, intuitive manner. You’ll need some tables to place items on.

Then, there’s the marketing. You’ll have to create (or buy) signs and place them strategically around your area so that traffic can see them.

And when your customers get there, you have to make sure no one walks off with your items without paying.

No such setup is required at a pawn shop. No need to wake up at the crack of dawn and worry if you’ll get any customer

Looking to sell some stuff at a garage sale or a pawn shop? Cash Express is your one-stop Philadelphia pawn shop for all your quick money needs. 

Come talk to our friendly staff today if you have any questions!

Pawn shops are known for having lots of jewelry, precious metals, and similar valuables in their inventories. In fact, those are our favorite types of items at Cash Express in Philadelphia.

But many pawn shops (including us) are also fans of musical instruments. Many people sell their instruments to pawn shops because they can get a great price fast — and pawn shops take them because they know other people will want to buy them.

If you’re among these musicians that’s looking to grab their first (or next) instruments from a pawnbroker, read on.

Why Buy an Instrument From a Pawn Shop?

In general, pawn shop instruments are in excellent condition. But since they’re gently used, and since you can negotiate with pawn brokers, you can find a fantastic instrument at a low price.

Because of this, pawn shop instruments are perfect for beginners. You’ll have more money leftover to invest in music lessons with a good teacher, as well as other accessories.

What Instruments Can You Find at Pawn Shops?

Not all instruments will be easy to find. Pawn shops only buy what people bring in, after all. If an instrument isn’t popular, you might be able to find it at a pawn shop — but it’ll be a challenge.

With that said, there are plenty of instruments commonplace in pawnbroker inventories, such as:

• Amplifiers

• Bass guitars

• Clarinets

• Flutes

• Guitars (acoustic and electric)

• Harmonicas

• Keyboards

• Synthesizers

• Trombones

• Trumpets

• Violins

Out of these instruments, guitars and violins are the most popular. You’ll find them quite easily, but you’ll want to act fast — a guitar you’re keeping your eye on could sell fairly quickly.

Buying Your Instruments

When buying your instrument, consider the whole cost when weighing the purchase against your budget. Not just the purchase price, but any necessary repairs and mandatory (or near-mandatory) accessories (such as a capo for a guitar).

Inspect your choice of instrument carefully, looking for signs of damage. Make sure the instrument isn’t refinished. Check each component of the instrument (such as strings and pegs for a violin) carefully to get a feel for the instrument’s condition.

Some repairs will be cheaper than others. You may pay more for a great-condition violin in need of restringing, but new strings aren’t costly. On the other hand, violin body damage can be expensive.

Also, play an instrument a few times at the pawn shop. Listen carefully, as the tone it produces can help you determine the condition of the instrument. For example, violins should have deep, rich tones. A high-pitched, treble-y violin may not be in as good a condition as you think.

Keep these things in mind and you’ll be well on your way to bringing home a great instrument at a fair price.

Looking to pick up a new musical instrument? Cash Express is your one-stop Philadelphia pawn shop for your instrument needs. We have plenty of excellent instruments to look at.
If you’re looking to sell or pawn your instrument, we’d be happy to help as well. Come talk to our friendly staff today!

Whether you built exciting new projects or made repairs to your home, your power tools have served you well over the time you’ve had them. At some point, however, you may want to upgrade to a new set.

But ditching your old set of tools isn’t a good idea. Instead, you’d be wise to gather them up and bring them to a pawn shop.

Power tools are popular pawn shop items because they’re expensive when bought brand new. Working men and handymen both head to pawn brokers to grab used power tools, saving themselves money. As a result, there’s money to be made by selling yours to your local pawn shop. Your proceeds can be used to save cash on a brand new set!

Wouldn’t it be nice to know exactly how much you’ll get for selling your power tools, though? Your price depends on many factors, but we can help you get an idea of what you’d earn by selling your tools to a pawn shop in Philadelphia like Cash Express. Read on to learn more.

Best Brands of Power Tools to Sell at a Pawn Shop

The best brands of power tools that pawn shops love to buy include the following.

• Bosch

• DeWalt

• Makita

• Milwaukee

• Snap-On

• Stihl

Power Tool Brands That Aren’t So Popular

All power tools will make you something at a pawn shop, but some brands won’t make you anywhere near as much as the previously mentioned brands. These less lucrative brands include:

• Craftsman

• Dremel

• Festool

• Rigid

• Ryobi

• Stanley

Other Factors

Here are some other factors to consider when selling your power tools to a pawn shop.

Condition

As with any item: the better the condition, the higher the price. Scratches and scuffs will bring the price of your tools down, but you can minimize that by giving your tools a thorough cleaning. Wash off any rust or gunk to make them look as new as possible.

Model and Year

Newer tools and better models will fetch a higher price for obvious reasons. That said, an older model that is in excellent condition will still get you a good payout.

Accessories

To up your power tool profits, bring in any extra blades or other components you may have. Check around your garage for those extra components!

Battery

Make sure your tools are fully charged before bringing them in to a pawn shop. It may seem trivial, but having your power tools in as good of working order as possible before you arrive at the pawn broker will get you the best price.

Cash Express pawn shop in Philadelphia is happy to take a look at your old power tools and give you a fair price. We also have power tools available if you want to buy more. Come in today — we’ll make sure you walk out with money in hand as soon as possible!

When the lockdown orders first came around, the government mandated that everything but essential businesses close. Only places such as grocery stores, healthcare facilities, and banks could remain open. These types of businesses were deemed necessary to sustain life.

However, pawn shops like Cash Express haven’t been forced to close. They’ve been designated as essential businesses in Philadelphia.

We understand why many would be curious as to why pawn shops remain open. People don’t “need” most of the items that pawn shops offer in an emergency, do they?

Well, there’s one thing that they do provide that makes them essential.

The Answer: Why is Cash Express Pawn Shop an Essential Business?

Pawn shops are considered essential because, like banks, pawn shops provide financing. In Pennsylvania, they are licensed and regulated by the Department of Banking and Securities. Because of this licensing, Cash Express and other pawn shops are considered essential.

Thanks to pawn loans, people can leverage their possessions to obtain the cash they need fast. This is especially true for the financially vulnerable — those with few assets, little cash, and bad credit will have a tough time getting loans from banks and other lenders.

Even if they get approved for a loan, the entire process can take days. Many can’t afford to wait days.

Plus, if they fail to pay back the loan on time, they’ll owe fees and interest. This can damage their credit further and put them in a deeper financial hole.

With a pawn loan, the worst that can happen is they lose their item. Pawn loans don’t require credit checks or cause damage if the loan isn’t paid back.

Many needed their pawn loans temporarily while they waited for their stimulus check. They were able to pay back their loan a week or two later after their stimulus money arrived and retrieve the pawned item.

As for safety, many pawn brokers instituted measures to keep people at a safe distance, such as drive-up windows.

Nonessential Ways Pawn Shops Benefit Customers

Pawn shops help in nonessential ways, too.

People who have been putting off decluttering for a while suddenly have time on their hands. They can come in and sell off their old stuff and pad their bank account in these uncertain times — all while cleaning their house.

People are buying things from pawn shops to cope with boredom and isolation, too. Many have bought computers and video games/consoles to fill the time and keep in touch with friends/family. Others are picking up at-home hobbies, such as guitar. Guitars are a popular pawn shop item, so when guitar stores are closed, aspiring musicians go to pawn shops.

We understand that times are tough. Cash Express Pawn Shop in Philadelphia can get you the money you need in as little as a day. Your pawn loan won’t hurt your credit. If you need cash, bring your item in today.

Rolex, Cartier, Patek Phillippe… those are just a few of the most highly-sought after brands of watches. Having one on your wrist commands attention. Not only do they look good, but they convey status, luxury, and a sense of taste.

They’re also incredibly valuable, of course.

Whether you’re in the market for a luxury timepiece or you’re looking to sell your current one, you want to get the most for your money.

Many buy and sell watches from authorized watch dealers, but pawn shops are another option. Let’s explore the benefits and drawbacks of buying and selling watches at each type of store.

Authorized Dealers

Selling

The main advantage of selling your watch at an authorized dealer is you’ll likely get a higher price. Authorized watch dealers operate exclusively in the timepiece business, so they’ll be much more interested in getting you the right price when you’re buying.

Buying

However, authorized dealers will charge a lot more for a luxury watch than a pawn shop would. Plus, you won’t be able to negotiate much with them. Maybe you can score a small discount, but you’ll still be paying close to full price.

Pawn Shops

Selling

There’s little chance you’ll get your watches full market value at a pawn shop — pawn shops have to make money, after all. Additionally, pawn brokers can’t be experts at everything. They may not be able to determine the value of your watch with 100% accuracy.

However, the selling process is a lot faster. You can walk in with your watch and walk out within the same day.

With that in mind, you’ll get a more fair offer on watches a bit below the high-end, as those have a large market. A pawn shop can more easily profit on something more “affordable” like a Fossil watch. More people can afford that watch, meaning the market is larger.

Pawn shops also let you use your watch to take out a loan if you don’t want to sell but need cash. As long as you pay back the loan plus interest in 30 days, you get your watch back.

And if you don’t, no applications or credit score dings — the pawn shop just takes possession of the watch if you don’t pay back the loan.

Buying

You can likely snag a good deal on a luxury watch from a pawn shop. Now, don’t expect to get a Rolex for a few hundred — everyone knows how much those are worth.

Lesser-known brands, however, can be had for a steal if you spend some time browsing pawn shops in your area.

Whether you’re looking for a Philadelphia pawn shop to sell your watch or buy a new one (or both), Cash Express Pawn Shop would be happy to help. Bring your watch in today, and browse our current selection.