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.

Do you have gold jewelry that you don’t wear anymore? Maybe you inherited gold coins or jewelry that you don’t need. If you want to put unwanted or unneeded gold to use for you, a pawn shop is a good option. You can sell your gold for cash right away, perfect if you need extra money for a rainy day or something unexpected. If you’re planning to sell your gold to a pawn shop, here are our tips to help you get the best money for your gold.

Know the Karat of Your Gold

If you have gold jewelry, you can usually find the karat marking on the inside band for rings and solid pieces and the inside clasp for bracelets and necklaces. Karat is indicated with a K (for example, 10K or 16K) Karat determines the purity of your gold, important in determining the value.

Know the Weight of Your Gold

Before you take your gold to the pawn shop, make sure that you weigh it. A kitchen scale is perfect for measuring your gold jewelry since it is sensitive and designed to weigh small items. Make sure that you have it set to grams so that you can easily convert the weight to pennyweight (standard jewel scale) if necessary.

Separate Your Gold by Karat

When you put your gold together to bring to the pawn shop, make sure that you separate it out by karat. You’ll ensure you get a fair price for your gold since the value will be based on karat and weight.

Clean Your Jewelry – Don’t Polish It

While you want your gold to make a good impression, don’t polish it before you bring it to the pawn shop. Instead, clean it gently with a damp cloth to remove dirt and dust. Polish can remove gold, especially from jewelry, resulting in a loss of value.

Look Up the Market Value

You’ve done a lot of work so far to ensure you get a good price for your gold. You should do three more steps, though, to get the best price you can. The first of these last three steps is to look up what your gold is worth. While a pawn shop will not pay you the full market value (they have to be able to sell and make money too) you can still ensure a fair price with knowledge.

Get Prices Before You Sell

The second of the final three steps is simple: shop around. Go to a few different area stores and let them make offers before you choose the pawn shop you want. Getting different offers will let you know what the value of your gold is in your area and will arm you in negotiating once you’re in the shop to sell.

Go to a Licensed and Reputable Pawn Shop

The final step is to choose a licensed and reputable pawn shop. Check reviews. Look into their licensure. Do your research on the shop. A good pawn shop will be reflected in their business practices and their reviews.

Do you need extra funds for an emergency? Do you just want some extra cash? If you have gold or jewelry you’d like to sell, contact us or stop by today. We’re here, serving Philadelphia and the surrounding areas.

If you have some collectibles and other unused items around your house, you’ve probably considered selling them. It’s a good way to get the extra money that you may need. If you’re looking at eBay or other auction sites, we have some things for you to consider. You may find that your local pawn shop is a better choice.

No Fees on Your Transactions

eBay earned the moniker “fee-bay” for a reason. For many sellers, especially those selling certain types of collectibles, the site can take several fees. They’re not alone. Most auction websites require listing fees, and some have transaction fees that can be imposed at the time someone purchases your items or later when you go to take your funds. Pawnshops, however, offer you a way to sell your items without worrying about additional fees.

No Wait

Unless you’re selling a high-demand item, you’ll likely have to wait for your item to sell. That wait can take weeks or even months, depending on how you put your item up for sale. Worse, if another seller undercuts you or if the demand for the item drops off, you may not sell it at all. At your local pawn shop, you have no wait. Once you bring in the item, the pawnshop buys it right away and you walk out with your money.

Pawnshops Are Easier

Online selling takes work. You need to set up your listing, including researching the price it’s selling at (which may or may not be what it’s worth). You have to write up the description and take photographs to upload. With a pawnshop, all you need to do is bring in the item you want to sell.

eBay Sales Are Final

Once you sell your items on a site like eBay and ship them off, they’re gone. What if you need some extra money, but don’t want to give up your jewelry or collectible? Pawnshops give you the option to pawn the item instead of selling it – that is taking a loan against the item for the cash you need now to pay back later. As long as you pay back the loan, you can get your item back. If you need cash but don’t want to sell your things, a pawnshop is your best option.

Pawnshops Are Good for Buyers Too

Selling isn’t the only time a pawnshop is better. For buyers, pawnshops offer advantages too. If you’re looking for inexpensive jewelry or used or collectible items, some reasons to consider a pawnshop over sites like eBay include,

• Seeing the item before you buy it
• Avoiding shipping time and shipping fees
• No wait once you buy the item
• No bidding wars against other buyers

Do you need extra funds for an emergency? Do you just want some extra cash? Are you looking for jewelry or collectibles? Contact us or stop by today. We’re here, serving Philadelphia and the surrounding areas.

Do you own a luxury watch that you’re not wearing anymore? Timepieces make wonderful gifts, but all too often they’re left sitting in the bottom of our jewelry box or the back of our dresser drawer. You could leave it in the drawer, hoping to wear your watch again one day – or you can make some money. If you’re ready to put your watch to use for you, here are 3 options you have for selling your watch.

Online Selling

With the internet at our fingertips (chances are good you’re reading this on your phone), it is easy to sell anything we have online. Sites like eBay have become staples for buying and selling items. Putting your watch up for sale is as simple as taking some pictures and putting up a description. Online selling has its drawbacks, however. You have a lot of competition for someone to find your watch as sites like eBay have millions of sellers using their service. You also must compete with prices that can range from extremely undercutting the value of your watch to over-pricing the watch. Then there’s the time factor. Because you must wait for potential buyers to find your listing, it can take several days or even weeks for your watch to sell.

Buy/Sell/Trade

Buy/Sell/Trade stores are another option for selling your watch. What is a buy/sell/trade store? It’s all in the name – they run on a business model of buying items at agreed-upon prices, accepting items in trade for store credit, and selling items people like you have brought it. If you need fast cash, they are a good option, as you are selling locally the same day you go in. However, once you sell the watch, it’s sold. In most cases, you can’t reclaim it from the store without paying the retail price.

Pawn Shops

If your watch has been sitting in your jewelry box or the back of your drawer for a long time, it’s probably because it holds more than monetary value to you. Sometimes, we’re hesitant to part with watches and jewelry because they were gifts or because we know we’ll want to wear them one day.

Like buy/sell/trade stores, pawn shops give you the ability to sell your watch locally and fast. Pawnshops have one advantage over the buy/sell/trade store, however. If you have been hesitant to sell the watch – or just want the option to hold onto it – you can use it as collateral for a loan instead of selling it. If you’re able to pay back the loan, you can reclaim your watch later. This gives you the cash you may need or want now, and your valuable watch back after you’ve paid off the loan.

Are you looking to sell your watch fast for cash? Contact us today to discuss your needs.

If you’re strapped for cash, you want a reliable pawnshop. Knowing where to go to get the best price for your jewelry, clothing, or electronics, though, can seem daunting. We have a lot of pawn shops in the area and choosing the right one is important if you want to make sure you’re working with someone you can trust. Here are 5 ways you can make sure that you’re choosing a reliable pawnshop.

Ask Around

People use pawnshops often, so chances are, you know someone who has either pawned items before or bought something from your local pawnshops. Ask them for recommendations. Find out what the staff at the shop is like – are they polite and knowledgeable about the items that come through their shop? Do they offer fair value for items?

Look at the Reputation

When you’re looking for a pawn shop, check out the reviews on local sites. What do people say about working with them? Are they listed with the Better Business Bureau or local agencies? Are their complaints, and how were those complaints resolved? A company having a bad review, or a complaint is not always a red flag. Not everyone will be happy and sometimes, the unexpected can happen even in customer service. What you want to pay attention to for warning signs are,

• The kinds of complaints and if you see the same problem repeatedly
• If complaints are left unresolved
• If the pawnshop makes excuses about why a complaint isn’t “really” their fault

Research Market Prices

Knowledge is important when it comes to pawning your valuable items. Look up what your jewelry or electronics are worth so that you have an idea of what kind of price you should expect to get. Expect some variation in what a pawn shop is willing to offer you. Market prices are averages, not fixed rules. However, if a pawnshop is significantly undercutting the value of what you want to pawn, they’re not reputable and you don’t want to work with them.

Check Licensing

All businesses must follow certain requirements with the IRS as well as state and local government agencies. Don’t be afraid to ask about the pawn shop’s license and be proactive, looking them up with your area small business agency. If they’re not in compliance, that is a good sign they aren’t reputable.

Trust Your Gut

The most important factor in whether you can trust a pawn shop is how you feel when you go inside. No matter what kind of reputation they have, what recommendations you get from friends, if you walk in and don’t like what you see, don’t work with them. If the shop is filthy, if merchandise looks to be poor quality, or if the staff are inattentive or rude, those are good signs that you’re in a bad shop. You can always shop around a little more.

Do you need extra funds 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.