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How to Get the Best Price When I Sell My Gold Jewelry to a Pawn Shop

How to Get the Best Price When I Sell My Gold Jewelry to a Pawn Shop

by | Jun 2, 2021 | Blog

Broken, unwanted or unneeded jewelry is a conundrum for many people. Whether you need some quick cash or have a bundle of jewelry that no longer fits your style, the best place to take your unwanted, unneeded or broken jewelry is to your local pawnshop.

Local pawn shops offer a faster, more convenient way to sell your jewelry compared to other alternatives. For example, selling your jewelry at a yard sale is time consuming, and you may get much less than you expect. Meanwhile, mail-in services are infamous for offering extremely low rates and poor customer service.

When you sell your jewelry at your local pawnshop, you will be dealing with a pro. Most pawnbrokers, such as Central Mega Pawn, have certified gemologists or jewelers in-house that can quickly and accurately determine the value of your jewelry. This helps you get the most for your items.

Here’s how to get the most value for your jewelry when you sell at your local pawnshop:

Do your homework

A common mistake that pawnbrokers all over the country encounter is customers assuming that all jewelry is in demand and highly valuable. Save yourself some aggravation and research your type of jewelry, and what it is currently selling for. Also, keep in mind that fake jewelry, costume jewelry, and stolen jewelry are never in demand and will not receive an offer.

It will also help if you research the purity and karat of the precious stones in your jewelry, as well as the current market value for precious metals like gold and silver. Finding out this info is not as difficult as many people think! Here’s a quick guide to finding that info and how it will come into play when you bring your jewelry to your local pawnshop:

  • Find the karat of your Jewelry – Is the measure of the purity of gold. This factor tells potential buyers and sellers how much of additional materials are contained in the jewelry. Although there are always exceptions, generally speaking, the higher the karat, the greater the value. Usually, there is a stamp somewhere on your jewelry indicating the karat.
  • Look up current market value – There are many helpful websites that track the daily changes in the value of gold and silver. Before you bring in your jewelry to your local pawnshop, take a look at the market value so that you have a general idea of what your pawnbroker will be taking into considerations.
  • Know popular brands – Jewelry by popular designers, or rare pieces from designers, can often be worth more. This is because many items of jewelry bought by pawnshops winds up being sold as scrap or melted down – fine pieces of designer jewelry, on the other hand, are ready to sell as-is. This translates to faster money for your pawnbroker, and a higher offer for you.

Why your local pawnshop is your best local buyer for you

When you sell to private citizens, jewelry shops, or through a website, you are taking a risk, because there is very little regulation to protect you from fraud. When you sell to a pawnshop, however, you are dealing with experienced professionals who comply with all local and federal regulations. Additionally, because most pawnshops are mainstays in their communities, they are motivated to treat every customer fairly.

Do pawn shops also buy silver or platinum jewelry?

Yes! Most pawn shops also deal with and will be interested in jewelry made of silver and platinum, and that also have other precious items like pearls or authentic gems.

What about selling jewelry broken?

Pawnshops can also make offers on your broken jewelry. However, keep in mind that the valuation of broken jewelry will be based more on the purity of the metals than on any other factor. This is because, when an item of jewelry cannot be repaired, it will be melted down.

How do precious stones, such as diamonds and rubies, affect my offer?

Precious stones or gemstones are often valued separately. Gems like diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and the like are appraised on factors like:

  • Carat – As is with gold, gemstones are valued based on their weight and purity. Central Mega Pawn proudly uses a jewelry scale on site, which helps us quickly determine an exact weight.
  • Color – Every gemstone is unique in color, so the color of your gemstone is an important factor in determining the value. Demand may vary depending on the type of stone’s color. For example, diamonds with a yellow-ish tint are not as in demand as pristine diamonds.
  • Shape & size – A gemstone of considerable size can fetch high offers. Similarly, unusually shaped gems tend to be appraised higher, because they tend to be rare specimens and highly desirable for collectors and jewelers alike.
  • Cut & polish – Particularly in the case of diamonds, a gemstone’s cut determines how much light it reflects and how much sparkle it will have. The more intricate the cut, the higher the workmanship on display, which influences the value of the stone.

However, despite all of these factors that we have just described, every pawnshop will have their own way of determining value. So, before you bring your jewelry in to your local pawnshop, give them a call or send them an email requesting information on how they appraise jewelry before they buy, as well as what is in demand in their store. Getting the highest possible offer may take some effort on your part, but it will be well worth it when you get your cash in hand.

As you can see, your local pawnbroker is likely the best option when you want to get the most money for your jewelry. Your local pawnbroker is knowledgeable, safe, and eager to help the members of their community. If you are looking to sell your jewelry in or around Ontario, Pomona, Upland or the surrounding communities in the Inland Empire, give the professionals at Central Mega Pawn a call today!

Top 5 Reasons People Choose Pawn Shops for Personal Loans

Top 5 Reasons People Choose Pawn Shops for Personal Loans

by | May 25, 2021 | Blog

In these trying and uncertain times, more and more people are finding themselves in a financial pinch, but don’t know where to go for help. If this sounds familiar, and you are among the millions of Americans who might need some quick cash, you should consider your local pawn shop for a personal loan. If you’ve never thought about using your local pawn shop as a resource for personal loans, keep reading to find out some of the top five reasons why people choose their local pawn shop when they need a personal loan.

1. No credit check

Unlike banks or other traditional financial institutions, a personal loan from a pawn shop does not require a credit check. For people with low credit scores, this reason alone can be a lifesaver. Your local pawn shop does not need to know your credit score to grant you a loan.

2. No applications

To get a personal loan from a traditional bank, you will be required to fill out numerous forms and lay bare all of your financial information, which makes your privacy vulnerable. Then, you will be forced to wait several business days before you find out if you will get the funds that you desperately need. Your local pawn shop will not make you share excessive information and will not keep you in suspense.

3. A safer alternative to other sources of personal loans

A personal loan from a pawn shop is one of the most reliable forms of loans. Other sources, such as loans from payday advance stores, can put you at risk of a vicious cycle of debt. Payday advance shops are poorly regulated and survive by imposing astronomical interest rates on people. Pawnshops, on the other hand, are highly regulated and charge fair interest rates.

Also, for people who might be considering getting a loan from a friend or family member, a pawnshop loan will not put close relationships at risk.

4. Will not hurt your credit

A pawn shop loan will not show up on your credit report, even if you find yourself among the minority of people who default on your loan. This is because your loan is secured by collateral. Loans from traditional sources, however, immediately appear on your credit report, lowering your score until well after you’ve paid it off, and severely damaging it if you happen to default. Your credit score can influence everything from where you live to where you work and is too valuable to put at risk.

5. Reliable – you can do it over and over again if you need to

Once you’ve repaid your personal loan from a pawn shop, you get your item, and therefore its value, back. This means that if you find yourself in need of a personal loan again soon, you know that you have something of value that you can turn into the cash you need in minutes.

A few more reasons why your local pawnshop is the right choice for your loan

  • Pawnshops are part of your community – unlike big banks, pawnshops can be flexible with interest rates and loan terms. Pawnshops like Central Mega Pawn have your best interest in mind. It is our mission to go above and beyond every time.
  • Pawn loans are likely to be repaid – a pawn shop will not loan you more money than you can realistically expect to pay back. In fact, according to the National Pawnbrokers Association, a majority of people who take out a pawn loan repay them on time. This makes it more likely that you will repay your loan and regain possession of your item.
  • Pawn loans are private – because your pawn loan is secured by the value of an item that you own, there is no need for it to affect your life in other ways, such as liens, taxes, or additional publicly available information.

How to get a personal loan from your local pawn shop:

      1. You bring us your item of value plus your identification
      2. Our professionals evaluate the monetary value of your item and will offer a loan based on that value
      3. We carefully go over the loan terms with you
      4. Get your cash!
      5. You repay your loan and reclaim your item! If you cannot repay, we simply keep your item and resell it, with no additional penalty to you.

What kind of things can you pawn to get a cash loan?

Almost anything of value can help you get the cash you need! However, every pawn shop is as different in the community it serves. At Central Mega Pawn, we love dealing in:

Plus, so much more! The best way to get an idea of the type of items we tend to have is to visit us.

How do I pawn an item to get my loan?

  • Do your homework – Before you bring us your item, do your research to find out how much you can expect it to be appraised for. You can look at recent sales on sites like eBay, or other person-to-person sites or apps.
  • Clean it up – Whatever you plan on bringing in, make it look as clean and presentable as possible. The easier you make it for us to resell potentially, the more willing we will be to offer you a loan against its value.
  • Be realistic – Once you’ve got an idea of the value of your item, figure on an offer of about 40 – 60% of that number. Most pawnshops will be willing to negotiate, but they must make a profit on every item in the shop to keep their doors open. Also, keep in mind that we will not be able to make an offer on broken, obsolete, or stolen goods.

Why is Central Mega Pawn the best choice?

For over twenty-five years, Central Mega Pawn has been the pawnshop of choice for people throughout the Inland Empire. We have the experience and resources to help you get the cash you need in minutes. We are proud to serve our community and abide by all federal and state regulations. Visit us today to see how we can help you!

What Types of Items Do Pawn Shops Loan Money On?

What Types of Items Do Pawn Shops Loan Money On?

by | May 5, 2021 | Blog

When you need some quick cash, you might be considering pawning something of value. This is a smart move for many people, as a pawn loan is one of the safest options out there when times are tough financially. However, if you’re new to pawning and are unfamiliar with how pawn shops work, or what kind of items you can pawn, we can help with some handy information on how to obtain a pawn shop loan.

First, you need to understand that every pawn shop is different. Pawnshops are reflections of the communities that they serve, so what is popular in one region of the country might not be in high demand in other places. For example, in some states, saddles are popular items to pawn, while in other states, a saddle would be a poor choice to pawn, because of low demand.

Next, pawn shops can make a cash loan against the value of pretty much anything! Here at Central Mega Pawn, we are always interested in things like:

Plus, so much more! Generally, the cleaner and more complete your item, the more we may be able to loan. The best way to get an idea of the type of things we can lend money on is to visit us.

Why are some advantages of a pawn loan in the first place?

Your local pawn shop is the best place near you when you need a cash loan. This is because:

  • Pawn shops are part of your community – unlike big banks, pawnshops can be flexible with interest rate and loan terms. Pawnshops like Central Mega Pawn have your best interest in mind. It is our mission to go above and beyond every time.
  • No applications or credit checks – you will not have to fill out an application, then wait for approval while your bills continue to pile up. Nor will you have to submit to a credit check. With a pawn loan, you come into our shop in need and leave with cash in hand in minutes.
  • Pawn loans are safe – a pawn shop will not loan you more money than you can realistically expect to pay back. In fact, according to the National Pawnbrokers Association, a majority of people who take out a pawn loan repay them on time. This makes it more likely that you will repay your loan and regain possession of your item.
  • Pawn loans do not affect your credit – because your pawn loan is secured by the value of an item that you own, there is no need for it to affect your credit. This is significant because a low credit score can harm your chances of qualifying for fundamental things like housing and employment.

How it works

      1. You bring us your item plus your identification
      2. Our professionals evaluate the monetary value of your item and will offer a loan based on that value
      3. We carefully go over the loan terms with you and will be happy to answer any questions and make sure you understand the offer
      4. Get your cash!
      5. You repay your loan and reclaim your item! If you cannot repay, we simply keep your item and resell it, with no additional penalty to you.

How do I pawn an item to get cash?

  • Do your homework – Before you bring us your item, do your research to find out how much you can expect it to be appraised for. You can look at recent sales on sites like eBay, or other person-to-person sites or apps. The more informed you are, the easier the process will be for you.
  • Clean it up – Whatever you plan on bringing in, make it look as clean and presentable as possible. The goal is to make your item appealing. The easier you make it for us to resell potentially, the more willing we will be to offer you a loan against its value.
  • Gather all the pieces – depending on what kind of item you are bringing in, the more complete it is, the more value it has. Meaning, original packing, manuals, remotes, cables, etc., all go a long way in increasing the value of your item. Before you come in, make an effort to find all the pieces it came with when it was new.
  • Be realistic – Once you’ve got an idea of the value of your item, figure on an offer of about 40 – 60% of that number. Most pawnshops will be willing to negotiate, but they must make a profit on every item in the shop to keep their doors open. Every article needs to be in good working order, a current or recent model, and clean. Also, keep in mind that no reputable pawn shop will be willing to loan money on the value of stolen goods.

Why is Central Mega Pawn the right choice?

Chances are, there are many pawn shops near you. How do you know which is the right one for your needs? At Central Mega Pawn, we are eager to earn your trust and your business. Here are a few reasons why we should be your #1 choice when you are looking to pawn an item for a quick cash loan:

  • Customer satisfaction and safety is our #1 priority
  • We have the resources to help you no matter your situation
  • We are a trusted member of our community

For over twenty-five years, Central Mega Pawn has been the pawnshop of choice for people throughout the Inland Empire. We have the experience and resources to help you get the cash you need in minutes. If you need some quick money, take a look around your home and turn them into the funds you need.

We are proud to serve our community and abide by all federal and state regulations. Visit us today to see how we can help you!

A Guide to Buying Video Games and Game Consoles at a Pawnshop

A Guide to Buying Video Games and Game Consoles at a Pawnshop

by | Apr 22, 2021 | Blog

Smart gamers know that brand new video games and consoles are rarely worth the hype. Once the thrill of being one of the first to own the latest release wears off, it is challenging to reconcile paying the high retail mark-up. That’s why, at Central Mega Pawn, many of our regular customers take advantage of our vast inventory and great prices to get the video games and video game consoles of their dreams. Your local pawnshop is likely an incredible and underrated resource for all your gaming needs. If you are tired of paying the retail cost, keep reading to find our guide to buying your next video games and video game consoles at your local pawnshop.

Buying video games at a pawnshop

Video games are popular items to pawn or sell. As a result, your local pawnshop likely has lots of fun and exciting games on hand for every popular console on the market, such as:

  • Nintendo switch
  • Playstation
  • Xbox

No matter what console you are buying for, your local pawnshop likely has an excellent selection for you to choose from.

While your pawnbroker will have done his or her due diligence in making sure the game is in working condition and free of scratches, you should still carefully examine the disc and its packaging before buying. Your pawnbroker should be willing to let you handle the item before buying it. Some shops may even have a console hooked up to a TV so that you can load the disc and ensure it is fully functional.

To get the most out of your gently used games, you should purchase only games that are clean and that comes with some of its original packagings. Games in excellent condition might be slightly higher priced than others, but they will be worth the money in the long run. You will still be paying far less than retail.

Don’t be afraid to negotiate. Your local pawnbroker must keep their inventory moving, so they are usually willing to negotiate on a price. Many gamers, who are used to being stonewalled by popular gaming resellers, are surprised to learn that they can get an even better value at a pawnshop simply by asking and being willing to work towards a solution that works for everyone.

Many people are hesitant to negotiate because they imagine it to be a form of confrontation. However, your local pawnbroker is used to negotiation and will respectfully negotiate with you. At Central Mega Pawn, we always want to help our customers and our community to get the best deals possible, so we’ve compiled a handy guide to negotiating at pawn shops.

If your budget and interests allow, also offer to buy a bundle of games at once. Your pawnbroker may be able to provide you with special pricing if you can take a handful of games off their shelves at one time.

Lastly, if you see a game that you want and can afford, buy it! Quality inventory at your local pawnshop likely doesn’t sit around for long. One of the best things about pawnshops is that they always have new and exciting items to offer. If you encounter some games at your local pawnshop that catch your eye, or even better, that you have been eager to buy, work with your pawnbroker to reach an agreeable price. Waiting too long can result in disappointment.

Buying video game consoles at your local pawnshop

Video game consoles are another fantastic item to buy from your local pawnshop. Pawnshops in most areas will usually have a wide variety of recent consoles on offer, all at incredible savings. Also, consoles are hard-working machines, so you have a good chance of getting the console you want in near like-new condition.

Buying a console from a pawnshop is a much better idea than buying from a reseller, website, auction site, or person-to-person sales app. This is because, in addition to saving you money, you can request a guarantee from your pawnbroker that allows you to return your console within an agreed-upon time period if you are not satisfied. You will simply not receive that level of service anywhere else.

To get the best video game console for your money, keep the following in mind when you visit your local pawnshop:

  • Carefully examine the console – look for cracks or other signs of damage on the exterior, and make sure that the power and connector ports are clean.
  • Do your homework – your local pawnbroker will have done everything he or she could to ensure that the console is in excellent condition. However, they cannot be full experts on everything. Know what a fair price for the shape of the console is.
  • Don’t be afraid to negotiate – your pawnbroker is motivated to sell all the items in their shop. Use this to your advantage and negotiate to reach a price that works for everyone.
  • Bundle your items – when it comes to video games and video game consoles, another smart negotiating tactic is to offer to buy in a bundle. Meaning, in addition to the console of your choice, also offer to purchase a game or number of games. You can even offer to buy an extra controller or other accessories so that your pawnbroker can get many items off their shelf at once. And, you’ll walk out with a complete setup, ready to play as soon as you get home!

Your local pawnshop wants to serve its community. In this way, pawnshops make it easy for their neighbors to get the video game console, set up, and games they want that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive. If you live in Southern California’s Inland Empire, visit us today to see what games we have on hand and get ready for new adventures that won’t break your budget. And if you do not live near us, visit our online store to take advantage of our great prices from wherever you are!

Pawn Shops VS. Craigslist

Pawn Shops VS. Craigslist

by | Apr 3, 2021 | Blog

Craigslist is the original disrupter of the traditional marketplace. Since 1995, the website has united countless buyers and sellers and helped people find roommates, housing, jobs, and even relationships. But, when it comes to buying and selling, Craigslist has only one natural predator, your local pawnshop. Since ancient times, pawnshops have served their communities and continue to do so to this day. Despite all the modern world’s technical advances, pawnshops have numerous advantages over Craigslist, regardless of whether you are a buyer or a seller. Keep reading to learn precisely how and why your local pawnshop is the better choice for all your buying and selling needs.

Buying

Perusing the “for sale” section on your area’s Craigslist page is always a gamble. For one, many times, the listings for popular or essential items like appliances or furniture are from big-box stores who are trying to get you in their shop so they can apply high-pressure sales. You will often find postings from people who are drastically overvaluing their items; when you try to contact them to reach a more realistic and agreeable price, you risk confrontation from someone unfamiliar with the advantages of learning to negotiate and find a compromise.

Not to mention, there is no way to know for sure if the items you find for sale on Craigslist are legitimate property. Craigslist urges buyers to beware when buying things like electronics, power tools, and jewelry, but they can’t stop stolen items from being listed and bought by unsuspecting citizens. Buying stolen goods, even inadvertently, is a severe crime. Lastly, there is also no way to tell how clean or well-maintained an item is. Online photos may not be of high enough quality to show actual condition, and you are unable to examine the item in person before buying.

Once you contact a buyer, you must then coordinate with this perfect stranger on how to pay and where to meet. This can be a dangerous situation, mainly when dealing with high-value transactions and when a buyer insists on meeting somewhere private, such as their home. Buyers who agree to buy should always take plenty of precautions when completing the transaction.

On the other hand, buying from your local pawnshop takes all of these headaches and risks out of the equation. Every item in your local pawnshop has been verified as legitimate to the best of the pawnbroker’s ability. Not only that, but you are free to browse as much as you want and can personally examine items before buying. You are also welcomed to negotiate on a price; granted, there is no rule against negotiating with a seller on Craigslist, but you will not be dealing with an experienced professional like you will find at your local pawnshop. Your local pawnshop is likely a safe and secure location to conduct your transactions.

Selling

Posting an item for sale on Craigslist is remarkably easy. However, once your listing is posted, you are at the mercy of anyone who happens across your advertisement. You will probably receive emails from people trying to talk you down in price, asking countless questions that may or may not be relevant to your posting or requesting special treatment such as free delivery or deep discounts. If you are lucky, you will be contacted by one or two serious buyers. Then, you must coordinate with this perfect stranger on how they will pay you and accept your item.

On the other hand, when you buy an item at your local pawnshop, your transaction takes place in a safe, secure environment. You will also negotiate with a professional and not someone who might be overvaluing their item or have a specific agenda in mind. Furthermore, things at your local pawnshop are legitimate and authentic; if you get your item home, you have doubts or buyer’s remorse, and you can often return or exchange the item. Just try that with an individual buyer from Craigslist!

For both buying and selling, the entire process can take days or even weeks to complete the transaction. When you want or need quick cash or a particular item, that can feel like a long time to wait. However, when you buy or sell at your local pawnshop, you get your money in hand or walk out with your new item in minutes.

One more consideration…

Lastly, pawn shops help people by providing quick, safe, and convenient cash loans to their communities. Pawnshops offer a safer alternative to payday advance loans or cash advances from credit cards. Nothing on Craigslist can claim the same. In fact, Craigslist has become a popular place for financial scammers, preying on vulnerable and unsuspecting people. Pawnshops serve their neighbors and anyone among the considerable percentage of “unbanked” people in the United States.

When you need a quick, safe cash loan and your most valuable item is of sentimental value, obtaining a pawn loan is your best option. This is because, as a collateral loan, once you repay your pawn loan, you will get your item back. In this way, your local pawnshop can help you get the cash you need over and over again, unlike selling on Craigslist, where all transactions are final.

To sum up…

Pawnshops are much better than Craigslist for many reasons, including but not limited to:

  • Convenience
  • Safety
  • Efficiency

For many Americans, these three considerations are significant. When you need quick, safe cash, there is simply no substitute for something as fast, secure, and efficient as your local pawnshop. This is why we encourage our neighbors and community members to visit their local pawnbrokers first when they need to buy or sell.

If you need further convincing, visit your local pawnshop today to see why they are the superior choice to Craigslist when it comes to buying or selling. If you happen to live in or near the Inland Empire in Southern California, visit Central Mega Pawn to see how we can help satisfy all your buying and selling needs!