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Buying, Selling, and Pawning an Apple Watch at Your Local Pawnshop

Buying, Selling, and Pawning an Apple Watch at Your Local Pawnshop

by | Mar 21, 2021 | Blog

In a very short amount of time, Apple watches have gone from fashion statements to a must-have for many people. They can perform numerous vital functions, and many depend on them to stay in touch, monitor their health, and, of course, tell accurate time. However, the hefty price tag on brand-new Apple watches is still a concern for many people interested in obtaining one. If this sounds familiar, you might be wondering where to get a great deal on a like-new Apple watch or where to get the most amount of money if you have one that you want to sell. At Central Mega Pawn, we aim to help our community, so we have compiled a guide to buying, selling, or pawning an Apple watch at your local pawnshop:

Buying an Apple watch

Your local pawn shop is an excellent place to save money on all kinds of goods, from electronics to jewelry. Apple watches are no exception! When you buy an Apple watch from your local pawnbroker, you avoid retail mark up and will not have to deal with shipping or unscrupulous sellers. That said, it is still up to you, the buyer, to do your due diligence when shopping for an Apple watch. Here are some ways to ensure that you are buying an authentic Apple watch in top condition:

  • Confirm it is the model series you want – Apple watches have made great leaps and bounds in sophistication since they came out in 2014. However, their general look and style have remained relatively consistent. Therefore, it can be easy to accidentally buy the wrong model if it is not clearly labeled.
  • Make sure the watch can pair with your iPhone – your local pawnbroker will have done everything necessary to ensure that the Apple watch has been disconnected from its previous owner’s accounts. Still, you should confirm that your phone is compatible with the watch.
  • Pay more attention to the face than the straps – the straps on an Apple Watch can be changed easily and economically changed to fit your tastes. The face, on the other hand, cannot.
  • Do your homework – before you visit your local pawnshop to look for your Apple watch, research the current market value for the model that you want. You can get a general idea of the cost by researching recent sales on auction or person-to-person sales apps. This information will give you an idea of your budget and help you recognize a fair price when you see it.

Selling your Apple watch

If it is time to say goodbye to your Apple Watch, you have many options of places and methods to sell it. However, before you post it online or on a person-to-person sales app, you should consider selling it to your local pawnshop. Selling your Apple watch at a pawn shop will take all the headache out of trying to sell it through other ways, and you will get cash in hand in minutes. There’s no waiting for payments to clear or dealing with demanding buyers. Here’s how to get the most for your Apple watch at your local pawnshop:

  • Unpair your watch and reset it to factory settings – don’t make the common mistake of erasing your watch and thinking it is ready to go. Here’s how to unpair and reset:
        • 1. With your watch nearby, open the “Apple Watch” app on your phone
        2. Tap “My Watch” at the bottom of the screen, then tap the name of your watch near the top of the screen
        3. Tap the little “i” icon to the right of your watch name, then tap “Unpair Apple watch”. The app will walk you through the rest of the process.
  • Gather up any original packaging and peripherals – you will command a better price if you can offer your pawnbroker the original box, charging dock, and paperwork. And, if you happen to have extra straps or any other accessories, include those as well.
  • Do your homework – look up completed sales or auctions for your model of Apple watch. This will give you an idea of how much you can expect. However, keep in mind that your local pawn shop is a business and must profit on everything they sell. Expect around 40-60% of the current value.
  • Don’t wait! – to get the most for your Apple Watch, keep in mind that new models come out very often. Every time a new model comes out, the value of previous models goes down a little more.

Pawning your Apple watch

Your Apple watch can be a lifeline if you need a small, safe, and convenient cash loan. Pawn loans are smart alternatives to other forms of cash loans, such as payday advances or advances on a credit card. The guidelines for pawning an Apple watch are similar to selling, with the following additions:

  • Don’t be afraid to negotiate – unlike all other forms of reselling your Apple watch, your local pawnbroker has room to negotiate on price, or even loan terms, in some cases. However, we understand that negotiating is something that many people shy away from, which is why we created a handy guide to negotiating at your local pawnshop, available here.
  • Don’t be afraid to walk out – if you cannot reach terms that work for both sides of the transaction, or if you feel that you are being pressured to sell or accept a price, don’t be afraid to walk out and try another shop! Any pawnshop worth your business will not pressure you, and you can easily find another shop who will treat you with respect.
  • Pay your loan on time – if you want your Apple watch back after you have repaid your loan, be sure to make payments on time and that you carefully read the terms of your loan.

As you can see, your local pawnshop offers outstanding flexibility when it comes to buying, selling, or pawning an Apple watch. If you live in the Inland Empire or any of the surrounding communities, visit us today to see how we can help you get the most for your Apple watch!

Gold Jewelry vs. Platinum Jewelry: Which is Right for You?

Gold Jewelry vs. Platinum Jewelry: Which is Right for You?

by | Mar 5, 2021 | Blog

Deciding between gold and platinum jewelry can be a tough decision. Both are beautiful, durable, and, in many cases, the differences between them can be hard to spot. However, looking a little deeper will reveal that they are actually very different. Because of this, when you are deciding between gold jewelry and platinum jewelry, you have many things to consider.

At Central Mega Pawn, we always want to help our customers make the best decisions possible! To that end, we not only have an in-house jeweler on staff, but we also educate ourselves on the differences between the precious metals. And we are now proud to present this handy guide that we have compiled to help you determine which is the right choice for you: gold jewelry or platinum jewelry? Keep reading to learn some of the most significant differences that will help you make your decision.

Care and maintenance

People often assume that gold and platinum jewelry require the same long-term care because of how similar pieces look at the purchase time. However, this is not true!

Gold is a beautiful, precious metal and is often treasured by people who own gold jewelry. But, especially in regard to white gold, the aging process must be taken into consideration. White gold is actually a mixture of gold and other precious metals, such as silver or nickel. Then, it is rhodium plated to make it look whiter and give it that fantastic mirror finish.

Over time, and with consistent wear, the plating will wear off, and the piece’s natural yellowish color will emerge. To restore it to its original shine, you would need to take it to a jeweler to redo the rhodium plating. Depending on how often you wear the item, caring for it may be considered something of a commitment.

Platinum, meanwhile, ages somewhat differently due to its purity. Unlike gold, it will not turn yellow. However, over time platinum jewelry will lose its shine and begin building a natural patina. Many collectors appreciate the patina, accentuating other aspects of the piece and showing wear that is unique to the wearer. To restore its finish, you would need to take it to a jeweler for a professional polish.

Lifespan

Another significant difference between gold and platinum that you should consider is durability and lifespan. Platinum is very hardy. It has been described as the most durable metal used in jewelry production. A significant factor in this durability is how differently platinum and gold handle wear like scratches.

When gold, especially white gold, becomes scratched, gold is actually lost from the item. Platinum, on the other hand, behaves differently. When platinum is scratched, no metal is lost. Instead, the metal is pushed around from one place on the item to another, which creates the patina so prized by many collectors. And, when a jeweler polishes it, the metal is pushed back into place and is like new once again.

So, if durability is a factor when you are looking to buy a fine piece of jewelry, platinum should be at the top of your list. Platinum jewelry can be handed down through generations and reconditioned over and over.

Available purity

Because gold is a soft metal, it is mixed with other metals, which form an alloy that makes it stronger. That is why you will find gold jewelry with a purity rating of below 18k. Any higher, and the jewelry would be incredibly soft and delicate—collectors who price high carat gold jewelry love how light it feels.

Platinum is the opposite. It is a solid and heavy metal when it is found in most jewelry and is the densest precious metal on the market. This gives it the heft and weight that jewelry fans either love or dislike. If a heavy ring sounds unappealing, platinum may not be the way to go.

Allergy concerns

When trying to decide which is better for you, platinum or gold, you will also want to think about possible allergic reactions. Many designers and retailers claim that their jewelry is hypoallergenic. However, because consumer gold is mixed with other metals, there is a chance of skin irritation and allergic reactions. In many cases, the only way to find out if there is an irritant is to wear it for a while and observe.

Platinum, meanwhile, is the actual only true hypoallergenic precious metal that you can buy because of its purity. Wearers who have sensitive skin may prefer platinum jewelry to be safe.

Budget

One of the most significant considerations when you are trying to decide between platinum and gold is the hit to your budget. In almost every case, platinum will be the more expensive option due to its rarity and purity. In fact, gold is mined far more than platinum. In 2018 alone, 3,332 tons of gold were mined, compared to 190 tons of platinum. This discrepancy in mining leads to high prices for platinum jewelry.

All of these factors, and more, can play a significant role in making the right decision for your needs. If you need further guidance, you have many options. If you have not already, your local pawn shop should be at the top of your list!

At Central Mega Pawn, we are uniquely qualified to help you decide which is better for you: gold or platinum? Not only do we have years of experience assisting people to find the right piece of jewelry for their needs, but we are also only one of a few pawnshops nationwide to have an in-house jeweler on staff.

When you need help deciding what kind of precious metal is the right choice for you, we can help you find it and also get it at a great price. If you live in or around the Inland Empire, visit us in person or online today, and let us show you why we are the area’s go-to resource for all your jewelry needs! We are your local jewelry experts.