Music is a great hobby or career, but too often, many people think they need to shell out top dollar for quality equipment, while some believe that they are stuck with their instrument forever once they’ve taken their interest as far as it will go. This is far from the truth.

Whether for yourself, your child or as a gift, your local pawn shop is a great resource to get started in music, or a place to sell an instrument that is only gathering dust. You can easily buy and sell all kinds of musical instruments in a pawn shop, including guitars, drums, flutes, violins, even pianos.

Before you take the leap, however, there are some things you should know before buying or selling a musical instrument at your local pawn shop. Keep reading to find out what steps you should take to get the most for your dollar.

Selling

It can be a difficult decision to sell a musical instrument; for many people, there are a lot of emotions and memories attached, not to mention the tons of options of how to sell for a fair price. While some automatically turn to websites like Craigslist, there are many risks involved, such as finding a buyer who wants to low-ball or doesn’t appreciate the value of your item.

If you’re looking to get a fair price and quick cash for your instrument, a pawn shop is the logical choice. However, there are some things you should know. Whenever you sell something to a pawn shop, you must keep in mind several factors. When it comes to selling musical instruments, here are a few additional factors:

• Determine the base value of your instrument by searching recent completed auctions on eBay, or by taking it to a music shop and getting it appraised; this will give you a good idea of what to expect. However, don’t forget that a pawn shop cannot pay full value; they will need to make a profit on virtually every item in the shop. Expect around 40 – 60% of its value.
• Presenting your item with original packaging, a case, extra strings or other accessories can help you get a better deal. Track these items down before taking your item to your local pawn shop.
• Clean your instrument before bringing it in; the more attractive the item, the easier it will be for your pawnbroker to resell it.

Luckily, musical instruments tend to go quickly at pawnshops, and the more prepared you are when you go in to sell, the more likely it is that your pawnbroker will be willing to make you a deal. Also, they will be willing to negotiate; the more you know about your instrument, the better prepared you will be.

Selling your instrument to your local pawn shop is far less hassle than trying to unload your instrument on websites or apps; unregulated transactions like these take time and effort, and more often than not are frustrating experiences. On the other hand, selling to a pawn shop means dealing with helpful, knowledgeable professionals, and can get you cash in hand in minutes. Also, if you happen to change your mind shortly after selling, you can buy your item back.

Buying

Buying a gently-used instrument is perfect for the beginner musician or for trying out different instruments. You will keep your investment costs low, which you can then put into lessons or high-end accessories. Also, the low cost of buying used means that you can experiment with different instruments to find out which one is perfect for you.

Your local pawn shop is an ideal place to find your next instrument. It is wiser than buying online; while you may find slightly lower prices, you are taking a gamble on quality or, worse, on receiving stolen property. Pawnbrokers carefully inspect everything they have on hand, and deal only in reputable merchandise. Most pawn shops maintain a huge inventory of all kinds of musical instruments. While this means that you will have a variety to choose from, it also means that you must do your due diligence when purchasing your next musical instrument.

You should study the instrument carefully and make sure that it hasn’t been excessively refinished. While you can always restring a guitar or violin, for example, things like warped fret boards or cracked pegs are red flags. Additional warning signs for brass instruments are discoloration, rust, or broken hinges.

If you are able to, play the instrument a little in the shop. Be careful not to annoy your fellow customers, of course, but if you know how an instrument should sound, playing it a little bit can tell you a lot about the quality. This all goes back to doing your homework before heading into your local pawn shop. If you need to, you can always bring someone more knowledgeable as a guide; together with your pawnbroker, they can help you find the perfect instrument.

Some additional good news about buying your next musical equipment at your local pawn shop is that their vast inventory is usually made up of top brands, due to the large number of people who go-all out when buying musical equipment, only to end up pawning it down the line. Also, because instruments and accessories come and go fairly often, you can check back often if there is a particular item that you want. For example, one of the most commonly pawned items is an electric-guitar and amp combo; with a little patience, you may be able to score the exact combo you’ve had your eye on.

While some pawn shops specialize in things like jewelry, guns, or tools, most pawn shops will have a huge inventory of musical instruments. Chances are good that your local pawn shop is a musician’s playground. If you are in the market for an instrument, you owe it to your wallet to check out your local pawn shop. Come check out our inventory today.

When people in the Inland Empire are in the market for jewelry, most head straight for their local jewelry store, or to the nearest mall’s huge chain store. However, there are those who consider other options, such as pawnshops, which is fortunate because pawn shops in most cases can save you quite a bit of money on their jewelry investment.

Not only that, but retail jewelry stores and pawn shops have some significant differences that affect the buying process. Some reasons that a pawn shop may be right for you are:

You won’t pay more for trends or brands

For one, unlike retail jewelry stores, pawn shops have the ability to price their gold pieces according to the ever-fluctuating price of gold, whereas design and manufacturing heavily affect the price in a retail jewelry store. That means that in a pawn shop, you are more likely to find a great deal on a name-brand piece than anywhere else. Your pawnbrokers are able to give you a great deal on gold if you visit them at a time when the price of gold is favorable to your needs.

No middle man

Retail jewelry stores buy wholesale and mark their products up around 100%. In the case of the huge national chains, they also invest heavily in advertising and pass the expense of all those television, radio and print ads on to the consumer.

Meanwhile, pawnshops can typically sell similar items at a discount because there is no middle man to force them to earn a considerable profit. Pawn shops essentially cut out the middle man and pass the savings on to you.

Pawn shops will work with you

Pawnshops are unique because they also present an opportunity to trade in unwanted but valuable items for cash or towards the purchase of the jewelry that you want. This makes buying jewelry more accessible to more people. While some retail stores will jewelry in trade, your local pawnbroker is able to give you a higher value on the item in exchange. This is because pawnshops have a multitude of ways to resell jewelry. For example, they can sell jewelry as is, or they can sell precious stones or gold to local jewelers. A retail jeweler usually does not have such flexibility.

What about selling?

If you’re looking to sell your jewelry, a pawn shop is still likely your best option. This is because a retail store must be interested in your specific item in order for them to buy it. If your item isn’t popular or rare or vintage, it is unlikely to sell, causing them to turn your item down.

A pawnshop, on the other hand, doesn’t need to worry about the popularity of an item. The weight and carat of the precious metals and gems in your jewelry are far more critical to your pawnbroker.

Also, if you are not exactly ready to part with your jewelry forever but are still in need of some quick cash, pawnshops can offer you a loan against the value of your items. You can get the money you need without the wait and credit check of a bank or payday lender, as well as keeping your credit rating safe.

If you repay your loan in time and do not pay late or miss any installments, you will get your item back. Not only will you get to keep an object with great sentimental value, but you will also be able to take out a loan against it again in the future if necessary.

How much will a pawn shop pay for my jewelry?

The price a pawn shop will pay will vary because it depends entirely on how much a particular pawn shop will pay for your items. However, you can expect offers that range between 50% – 60% of the value of your jewelry. Don’t forget that a pawn shop is a business, and to keep their business healthy, they must sell everything in their shop for more than they paid for it.

This means that although you now know that a pawn shop is the best option for you when it comes to buying and selling jewelry, you must still do your due diligence. So, before you visit your local pawn shops, take the following steps:

Do online research – learn as much as you can about the jewelry you are interested in buying or selling. Go online and search retail prices, completed online auctions, and trends of the cost of the precious metals in your item. This will give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay or be offered.

Do in-person research – many shops do not advertise all of their prices or pieces online, so visit retail jewelers and pawn shops to see what similar items are going for. Ask the retailer or pawnbroker what they might expect your article to go for.

Have realistic expectations – keep in mind that if you choose to buy from a retail jewelry store, you are almost guaranteed to pay more than is necessary, so don’t go in expecting to cut a deal or trade an item for it. And if you buy from a pawn shop, you may not find the exact custom piece you were hoping for but will get a great deal. If you are selling, remember that about 50% of the item’s value is a typical amount that a pawn shop will pay.

Haggle respectfully – it is fine and expected to try and negotiate for a better price at a pawn shop. We are always willing to work with customers to find a deal that works for everyone. But, know when to back down. You can still walk away and try again another day or at another shop if something just doesn’t feel right.

Visit our Showroom in Ontario today and see firsthand why more and more people are picking Central Mega Pawn as the best choice for all their jewelry buying and selling needs. We have been serving the community for many years and are looking forward to many more.

When you need quick cash, a reputable pawn shop near you is a great place to work with. The strict regulations that pawn shops operate under in California make them a safe bet for your business. More and more people are turning to pawnshops to meet their financial needs, and your local pawnbroker is in a position to help you.

If you are considering pawning some of your property for cash, you will get more money if your items are in-demand and saleable. Pawnshops in your area are there to help their communities, but they must also ensure that they will be able to sell items at a profit if the pawned articles go unredeemed.

Electronics are smart things to pawn if you find yourself in a financial pinch. In-demand electronics in excellent condition are among the handful of items that all pawn shops can use. However, not all electronics will fetch similar payouts. Keep reading to find out what factors affect how much you can expect for your electronics at a pawn shop near you.

First, keep in mind that unlike other frequently pawned items, such as jewelry or tools, electronics do not retain their value over time. A two-year-old tablet is worth only a fraction of what a six-month-old tablet is worth. Your local pawnbroker must take into consideration that an older electronic will be difficult to sell if its ticket is not redeemed.

More than any other pawned item, electronics require a pawnshop to stay on top of the news on both the marketplace and general technology trends. Introduction of new models and innovations in technology can render an item obsolete seemingly overnight, causing prices and demand to plummet. However, some brands, like Nikon and Apple, retain their value longer than others, even for older generation models. Brands like these may be more useful to your local pawnshop and will get you more money.

What factors affect how much money i can get for my electronics?

Age and Condition

Generally, pawnshops prefer electronics that are no more than two years old. Items older than two years old are risky for a pawnshop to purchase, as it means that the article may soon be outdated, if it isn’t already.

Also, electronics in good condition are easier to sell than chipped, stained or otherwise cosmetically damaged items. Even if your article works perfectly, a blemished product will affect how much your pawnbroker can charge for it.

Completeness

Customers expect that electronics come with as much original packaging as possible, including chargers, manuals, cables, and accessories. Electronics that come with such peripherals will command a higher price than those without. For example, a video game console with its controllers, cords and maybe even a handful of games, will be easier for your pawnbroker to sell than a console by itself.

Customer Relations

Pawnbrokers like to stay on good terms with the members of their community. Repeat customers who repay their loans on time are likely to get more for their item because they are considered a low-risk customer to their pawnbroker.

Customers that your pawnbroker has never seen before, or who have earned a history of non-payment may be considered a risky bet and may not get top dollar for their electronic item.

So now that you know a little about what factors may influence how much you can expect for your electronic, here are some tips on selling your electronics at your local pawn shop.

How do i sell my electronics at my local pawn shop?

Find out if your item is in demand

Check out what items like yours have recently sold for online to get an idea of how much you can realistically expect your local pawnshop to pay for your article. Online sales will tell you and your pawnbroker about the national demand, which will help set a baseline for how much you might receive for it. If your old electronics aren’t in demand online, chances of a big payout for you will be slim.

Clean it up

If your item is popular, you’re in luck. The next step is to clean up your piece. The closer to new that you can make your electronic look, the less work your pawnbroker will need to do to get in shape to sell, which may be reflected in the price that you are offered.

Test it out

It should go without saying that your item must work as expected; be prepared to demonstrate to your pawnbroker that your electronic is in excellent working condition.

If your electronic item does not work, it is worth little else than as a paperweight unless it can be sold for parts.

Collect all the parts

Having all the cables, manuals and accessories that go with your item will get you a little more money than the thing by itself. Whatever you, and by extension, your pawnbroker can add to the bundle will increase its perceived value to a potential buyer.

At the pawn shop, be prepared to:

Show your ID

Pawnbrokers in your area are careful not to purchase stolen items. As a security measure, they will require legal identification from you before they will consider extending an offer. Be sure that your ID has not expired and that it contains current information. If your ID does not have your current address, you should consider bringing along a piece of business mail less than thirty days old as a show of good faith that your local pawnbroker is reputable.

Negotiate a little

While it will depend on the item, your local pawnbroker has a little wriggle room when it comes to electronics that are new or in high demand. Do not take advantage of it, but keep in mind that pawnbrokers are willing to work with you to find a solution that satisfies everyone.

Understand your pawnbroker’s position

Most local pawnbrokers like Central Mega Pawn are experts in their communities; they know what will sell better in Ontario than in, say, Upland, Chino, or Pomona. Don’t take it personally if they decline your item or offer less than you expected. You can either negotiate or ask where they think you might get more for your money.

For more information feel free to contact one of our pawn professionals at 909-627-9622