The holidays are upon us. As the malls and superstores fill up with shoppers, you’re probably looking for alternatives to finish your list. After all, who wants to stand in huge crowds right now? Instead, visit us at Cash Express Pawn Shop. Here are 5 reasons to avoid the lines and make pawn shops your alternative for holiday shopping.

You Are Supporting Local Small Businesses

Whether you’re in the city, the suburbs, or the country, keeping small businesses strong is so important. Most pawn shops are locally owned small businesses. When you choose a pawn shop over other alternatives (like online shopping) you are supporting community businesses.

You Can Find Unique Treasures

Pawnshops are a great place to find things that you won’t find in stores anymore. Among the things pawn shops always buy are antiques and designer clothing. That means finding a rare and unique collectible that will make a unique gift. Pawn shops are also a great place to find clothing for cosplayers or nice, fancy clothing at an inexpensive price. You can also find fine jewelry you won’t find in department stores.

You Can Bring In Things to Sell

Do you have any jewelry you don’t wear anymore? Maybe you’ve replaced your smartphone, and the old one is still in good condition. Most of us have a few things that we can take with us to a pawn shop when we go shopping. Why not bring them with you? Selling your own items when you buy is a great way to save money (or even make money) while you finish your holiday shopping.

Negotiate Prices

When you shop at the mall, the price you see is what you have to pay. That’s not always the case with pawn shops. Most pawn shops are willing to negotiate prices for what they sell. The trick is to be prepared. Usually, big-ticket items are fixed, but many other great gifts are open for discussion. If you want to save a little extra on a gift, remember

• Call ahead to find out what kinds of items are not negotiable on pricing
• Be friendly to staff in the store. When you negotiate, you want to start from a friendly disposition
• Start lower than what you want to pay, but don’t go too low.

Same-day Loans

If you’re feeling strapped for cash and don’t want to sell items, consider using them to obtain a loan instead. You can get extra cash for your holiday shopping and pay back the loan over time to receive your pawned items back. So that old phone or jewelry that you’re not ready to part with yet can still do something for you.

The number one reason to holiday shop with us … our friendly staff and prompt service as well as our wonderful selection of antiques and jewelry. We know you’ll find the perfect gift, so stop by now.

Gold coins are a worthwhile investment to make. The most common questions we here, however, are how to go about buying them, and where the best places to purchase them are. From coin dealers to gold sellers, to pawnshops, to individuals, you have a lot of places to choose from, each with their advantages and disadvantages. While you always want a good deal on an investment, low price isn’t everything when it comes to buying gold coins.

Considerations

Before you look to buying gold coins, you should keep a few things in mind.

Storage – Where do you want to keep your gold coins? The answer will depend, in part, on what your purpose is. If you’re buying them as an investment, you may want to keep them in a secure location in your home or with a custodian. If you’re purchasing them as a collector, on the other hand, you’ll want a safe and secure way to display them. Before you begin purchasing, decide what you want from your purchase and research your options.

Insurance – Whether you’re collecting or investing, you want to have insurance for your coins. Check your homeowners insurance or renters insurance to see what keeping them at home may add to your premiums. If you choose storage, make sure that your investment is covered by their insurance or if you’ll need a separate policy.

Source and Purity – When you purchase gold coins, you want to make sure that they come from a reputable manufacturer who guarantees quality. You also want to ensure that the gold has a purity level worth the investment that you’re making – usually at least 91% pure at minimum.

Where to Purchase Gold Coins

Now that you know what you want from your gold coins and you know how you’ll store and insure them, you need to look at where to buy.

Government Mints – Governments often issue gold bullion coins each year, with a minted value, that you can purchase. The minted value will be based on the government currency and are what that governing body guarantees their worth to be, but not their actual value (or price to purchase).

Private Mints – Private mints are essentially companies that mint their own gold bullion coins for sale. These do not have a monetary value backed by any government. Their value will depend on the purity of the gold and later upon the rarity and collectability of the coin.

Individual collectors – Individual collectors may sell coins that they have in their possession, from their own investments or what they have inherited, for example. They may sell bullion coins from government or private mints, or numismatic coins (rare coins purchased for their rarity rather than gold content). Numismatic coins are more for the collector than the investor.

Coin Dealers – Dealers vary from local coin sellers to online stores, to trade show dealers, to dealers who advertise on television. Coin dealers may specialize in a variety of mints, or only in specific ones. They can also vary widely in price and quality, so it is important to research a dealer before you buy.

Pawnshops – Gold coins are a popular item for pawnshops to purchase from private individuals because of their high value. As a result, you can often find gold bullion coins that are no longer minted and harder to find. Depending on the pawnshop, what you find is often comparable to dealers, though the price may sometimes be higher, since you’re often buying coins that are older and harder to find.

If you’re looking for gold coins, contact Philadelphia Pawn Shop Cash Express today to see what we have available.

If you’ve ever thought of using a pawn shop, you may wonder what exactly store buy. At Cash Express of Philadelphia, we are always looking for items of value. While our stock changes from day to day, there are some items for which we’re nearly always looking. What we don’t want is knock-offs, like designer purses. So when you walk into our gallery, you have the confidence you’re getting the real deal.

1. Jewelry

Jewelry is a popular item, provided you have proof of purchase. Why? We want to make sure the items for resale haven’t been stolen.

Gold jewelry brings a higher return than silver, and even broken pieces still have value. See, metal can be melted and gems pulled out to make whole new pieces. Designer costume jewelry and anything with diamonds is a pretty successful sell.

For buyers, Jewelry sells quickly at reasonable prices in our store, so if you’re eyeing a piece, get it as soon as possible. And don’t worry, there is something you’ll love in every budget range.

Watches are similar to jewelry in that they require proof of authenticity. Big names in watches include Cartier, Chanel, Piaget, and Rolex. The right timepiece can go for thousands of dollars.

2. Designer Items:

Even if it’s a dress from 1940, anything with a designer label has value. They always make a fashion statement. Can you say, Louis Vuitton? Or how about Chanel? When you care for your designer items, the price goes up. So even if the article shows a minor ware from time, it can still be sellable.

3. Antiques:

Depending on how much room a store has, you can even sell silverware, statuary, candlesticks, rugs, and even furniture! Currency, in particular, appeals to the antiquarian. If you are selling, bring in your item so we can give you a price. When you or someone you know loves old coins or paper money, you can find something here to round out their prized collection.

4. Gemstones and Diamonds

Gemstones and diamonds, whether loose or in a setting, fetch a pretty penny. So what kind of precious stones? Emeralds, Amethyst, Topaz, Sapphire, Ruby, and Opal are all examples of what you can pawn.

5. Entertainment Items:

From video game consoles (Wii, Xbox, Playstation) in good working order have an appeal because shoppers often want an older version when theirs breaks. Oh, don’t forget flat-screen TVs. In this category, we also accept electric or acoustic guitars, amplifiers, and student instruments.

Pawning Tips:

When considering selling to Cash Express, do your research first. If there are any relevant facts, bring them along. Take a moment to clean up your item so we can see it clearly. When there’s a certificate of authenticity or proof of ownership (or both), they help tremendously in determining what we can give you.

If you have questions, please give us a call at (215) 922-1560. You can also email info@pawnphiladelphia.com, or fill out our online contact form. Our team of experts is happy to help you in any way possible.

Nearly every day is a holiday. Some whole months are dedicated to specific themes, too. For example, November is Real Jewelry Month, a time to celebrate jewelry’s enduring beauty and allure. From rings and watches to bobbles and bracelets, you can find things on your holiday shopping list at Cash Express Pawn Shop, Philadelphia (and you don’t have to wait for a special date!).

Why buy from us? Lots of reasons:

• Savings: If you compare apples to apples, say a necklace in a retail store versus ours, you'll find the prices are significantly less.
• Quality: Fine jewelry doesn't suffer from the wear and tear many other products do because people treat the pieces gently.
• No Surprises: If there are faults, you know about them right away (not when you take it out of the wrapper).
• Trustworthy Pricing: Because we have an appraiser, you can trust the value in your gift choices.

Who are the special people on your list this year? Mom? Granddad? A significant other? Now's the time to make your money go further and create a WOW moment. There is nothing like seeing the face of someone taken pleasantly aback by the beauty of your gift. More remarkable still is that there's something spectacular in our store in every budget range.

Cash Express is not a “big box” storefront. You can window shop and your leisure and get personalized attention from experienced professionals. Give them an idea of what you want, and they'll help you find it or something reasonably close.

By the way, let your imagination run wild a bit. Our store has far more offerings than just jewelry. You can get incredible antiques (Antiques by Ark's), tools, computers, designer bags, and musical instruments, just to name a few. Finding real “gems” isn't limited to jewelry. Take a look!

If you’re not sure what you want, Cash Express has three eBay stores where you can get ideas. For high-end jewelry, check out Quality Jewels. In Arksjewelry there’s everything from antique books and statues to tea caddies and flatware. Finally, for many of those everyday items like speakers, shavers, sunglasses, and sneakers, scroll through Cashexpresspawnbrokers.

Tip: if you have odds and ends sitting around like those you see, you might consider bringing them along. Declutter your home, and get extra cash for your shopping spree!

Some people have a rough idea of what they may want but don’t know where to begin. Feel free to call us at (215) 922-1560, and give us some input. We have things coming into the store daily, one of which might fit the bill perfectly. You can also leave us questions and requests for more information HERE.

The weeks fly by quickly at this time of year. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Happy Real Jewelry Month.

Philadelphia pawn shops provide cash-out services for people who need cash NOW.

Compared to other financing services, are pawn shops a better choice? When should one consider getting a loan from a pawn shop? Keep reading below!

How does the pawnshop work, and when should you consider pawning?

When you walk into a legal pawn shop with your belongings, the other party will first assess the value of your pawn; for gold, this is a straightforward process because the pawn shop can quickly determine the value by referring to the daily gold price.

As for gold jewelry, you should know that they are usually not 99.9% pure gold, but an alloy so that it can maintain its shape, which means you will get somewhat less than the daily price of gold in return.

For other items, the pawn shop will evaluate the current market value and consider the condition of the item. For example, pawning old laptops is not worth much because it may not be worth much in the second-hand market. (Yet it is still a viable option).

Where to get cash in Philly

With pawn shops, you are bound to get your cash faster than when using other financing services because at pawn shops you won’t need paystubs and a co-signer. If you do not want to go through the stress of getting a guarantor, the best choice for you is to use a pawn shop near you.

Pawn shops have easy repayment policies, flexible collateral acceptances, and easy return services, so when you are looking for a loan provider that will not be on your neck every now and then, then pawn shops might be your best answer.

Process of pawning your items:

1. Go to the pawnshop with your item(s).

2. The pawnshop will assess the value.

3. If you agree, the pawnshop will accept the pawn, issue a pawn ticket, and cash loan to you.

4. Ensure the safe custody of the pawn ticket, which can come in handy if  you intend to redeem the pawn.

It’s as simple as that!

Can the pawn be retrieved?

Yes, the pawn shop will store your pawn in a safe place and give you a pawn ticket to prove that you are the holder so that you can return to the repurchase within a fixed time.

If you collect the money within the stipulated time, you can simply go back to the pawn shop and redeem the item with interest paid.

However, if you are unable to redeem but still have some funds in hand, you can choose to extend the pawn period.

If the item is not redeemed, the pawn shop will sell it to other customers.

If you want financing options, you should consider the Cash Express Pawn Shop for quick cash in Philadelphia. In contrast to a bank loan, you receive cash immediately! To do this, deposit an item of appropriate value with us at Cash Express pawn shop. We specialize in antiques, diamonds, precious metals, and other items of value. Stop by and chat with us! We offer top bucks for your valuables.

Clearing out can be fun and also fill the wallet? Correct!

Selling used things is the motto! It's that easy to get rid of old dust collectors and earn good money for it!

There is something liberating about clearing out - and it can still bring in quite a bit of money. With the right tips, you can get rid of your used property at a profit.

Is It Worth the Effort?

Giving every item a new owner instead of packing everything in one large container for the sake of simplicity has several big advantages:

- Extra money in your wallet

- Someone else is happy about things that they might not be able to afford otherwise

- Buying and selling used is a super effective measure to protect the environment

The Best Used Items to Resell to Earn Quick Cash

You need to know which items are most likely to resell for the most profit.

Electronics: New or Vintage

Some vintage electronic devices such as personal music players, cassette players, and VCRs can be sold for a profit.

Cameras

Cameras and lenses, and even some accessories like tripods, can retain their value well. Lenses in particular, as they can be used for many years if they are in good condition. Vintage photographic equipment can undoubtedly be of value, and even non-antique second-hand equipment can be sold for fair prices. There is a significant market for used photographic equipment. It can be an expensive hobby, so you will find that many photographers have a habit of spending a lot of money on their equipment.

Bicycles

Bikes can be great for pawning or reselling. There are a lot of them in garage sales. Well-known brands and older bikes are the best options. In some cases, you will have to clean them and maybe do a few small repairs to sell them for a decent price.

Sports Equipment

You can sell your used sporting goods. Some are valuable if they are in good condition, and you can sell them at a competitive price.

Video Games and Consoles

You might be surprised by the market for old video games and consoles. Old games and consoles can be collectibles, and some of them will get you a nice little cash bonus.

Power Tools

There is a great demand, and great availability, for used power tools. People often sell them to decluttering companies when they move out or when they buy a newer model. Other people are looking to buy used power tools when they need them for a specific job or when they just want to save money over buying new tools.

Other used items like jewelry, wristwatches, piano, and other music instrumentals, used laptops and phones, tool brands, and many others can also be sold to make some extra money.

Where to Sell Your Used Items?

Conveniently located near you in Philadelphia Center City Cash Express Pawn Shop can be your trusted partner to buy your second-hand products at the right price.

All you have to do is to bring your used items to our store. We estimate their cost depending on the model, the condition of your item and its accessories, and the demand for the product. After a common agreement, you are paid immediately.

Conclusion

Selling for cash is possible if you are motivated and also take the time to think carefully about what you can sell. We hope our tips will allow you to earn some extra money in these challenging times.

Holiday shopping time is fast approaching. It’s almost time to check your budget and gear up for a shopping spree.

But before you visit your favorite big-box retailer this year, consider another great holiday gift shopping option: your local Philadelphia pawn shop, Cash Express.

There are plenty of reasons to choose a place like Cash Express for your holiday shopping — here are a few.

1. Our Specialities Are Perfect Holiday Gifts

At Cash Express, our favorite items also make the best holiday gifts. We love jewelry, precious metals, precious stones, luxury watches, antiques, and other high-end items.

Naturally, giving any of these as a holiday gift is an excellent way to express your love to family and friends this season.

2. Get Great Gifts For Less

If you wanted to buy a fancy watch or beautiful piece of jewelry from a watch store or jewelry dealer, prepare to pay the big bucks.

On the other hand, Cash Express can offer these and other similar items in excellent (basically like new) condition for far, far less. You won’t have to break the bank to get the gifts your loved ones and friends deserve.

3. Not Just “Expensive” Things

Sure, we love shiny and typically expensive items… but we have plenty of variety beyond that. For example, we also sell computers, electronics, tools, and musical instruments. All of these items make perfect gifts for the tech whiz, gamer, handyman, or musician in your life.

As a result of all this variety, you won’t have to jump from store to store. You can simply stop into Cash Express and finish most, if not all of your holiday shopping this year.

4. We Can Bolster Your Holiday Budget

Need a little extra room in your holiday shopping budget? Got any items you don’t need or are willing to pawn?

We can help you stretch your budget this fall and winter if you bring in items to pawn or sell to us. We especially love to buy gold, computers, antiques, watches, coins, and tools. However, bring in other items if you’d like — we’re happy to provide you a fair price or loan amount, and get you your money as early as today!

With all that said… if you want to knock out your holiday shopping fast and for less… and/or you have some items you’d like to pawn to bolster your holiday budget… stop by Cash Express in Philadelphia today! We’re happy to have you.

August is over, which means summer’s coming to an end. But that also means the holidays will be here much faster than you expect. Still, it is only the start of September. Is it too early to pick out holiday gifts? Not so. Now could actually be the perfect time. Let us explain why.

Shopping Starts Earlier This Year

After the events of last year, more people than ever are looking to shop online where possible. They’ve found it to be incredibly convenient. Consequently, many stores are pushing their holiday sales forward, earlier into the year. That means more people are shopping earlier for their holiday gifts. On top of that, recent shortages and supply chain issues have made it hard for stores to keep certain items on the shelves. This is especially true for electronics.

That means it’s fine — and probably ideal — for you to start hunting for holiday items as soon as September (which just started a few days ago).

How to Avoid the Shopping Crowds This Holiday Season (And Earlier)

Despite the massive explosion in online commerce, plenty of people are still going to go into stores to grab their gift items. There’s just something about shopping in person that can’t turn everyone into online shoppers. If you want to skip the crowds, though, we have a great idea for you: Visit a pawn shop! Pawn stores are underrated places to grab gifts for plenty of reasons.

Great Selection

Pawn shops have all sorts of cool and unique items. Many of them make great gifts. Got a handy husband or father? Pick up some power tools. Maybe your kids want some video games for the holidays. Plenty of pawn shops sell electronics. Or perhaps there’s a musician in your life. Guitars, drums, and other instruments are popular at pawn stores. Whatever it is, a pawn shop might just have it.

Less Known — Fewer Crowds

Most people will head to big-box retailers to get their holiday gifts. Fewer people know how great pawn shops can be for this… meaning crowds won’t be as big of a worry. You can skip the long lines at major retailers and stay safer while you’re at it.

Prices

Pawn shops sell used items — even slightly used — meaning it’ll cost a lot less than if you bought it newer elsewhere. Not to mention you may be able to negotiate.

Nowhere is this more apparent than with jewelry. At a pawn shop, you could find barely-used jewelry for a massive discount compared to a jewelry store. What a perfect holiday gift for your loved one and your wallet!

Speaking of jewelry and other shiny things, that’s what we love at Cash Express in Philadelphia. Whether you’re shopping for the holidays, offloading some jewelry or metals to boost your holiday budget, or both, we’d be happy to see you. Come visit us today!

There are plenty of myths and misunderstandings surrounding pawn shops. The truth is, thousands of people visit pawn shops every day to buy items at great prices and pawn their own items for quick loans.

Still, you may have some questions. So, to help you out and clear up any misconceptions, we answered some common questions about pawn shops below.

1. Are Pawn Shops Safe?

Pawn shops have an unfortunately bad reputation, but they have come quite far in just a few decades. Most pawn shops are clean, well-lit, and have an appealing interior, relatively speaking.

The other belief is that pawn shops have lots of stolen goods. Although it’s impossible to have absolutely 0% of customers attempt to pawn stolen items, it’s quite rare. Legit pawn shops ID their customers and also work together with local law enforcement to prevent stolen items from changing hands.

In fact, pawn shops can and do report transactions on databases that law enforcement can then use to track down the thieves.

2. Why Would I Get a Pawn Loan?

Pawn loans come with several benefits that make them great for anybody — but especially people who need cash fast or can’t get a loan through traditional sources.

That’s because pawn loans don’t require credit checks. You simply bring in an item of value, and the pawn shop will look at it before offering you an amount and terms. If you agree with their offer, they’ll give you a ticket in exchange for your item. You can walk out with money that same day.

3. What Can I Pawn?

You can pawn anything of value, whether that’s jewelry, guitars, or video game consoles. However, you’ll get more money if you go to a pawn store specializing in your item.

For example, pawning a guitar at a store specializing in musical instruments could fetch you more than somewhere else.

4. How Long Do Pawn Loans Last?

Pawn loans generally last 30 days. You must pay back the loan plus any interest/fees by then. In some cases, you may be able to extend the loan another 30 days by paying another fee.

The best part: if you can’t pay your loan back, you simply lose your item. No credit damage, no collections, no more interest.

Now you know a little bit more about pawn shops. If you’re looking for a pawn loan — or you want to buy jewelry, coins, electronics, and more at great prices in Philadelphia — come stop by Cash Express pawn shop today. We’re happy to take a look at any items you have, and feel free to browse our inventory!

Are you looking to pick up a beautiful piece of jewelry? Maybe you have to propose soon, perhaps your anniversary’s coming up, or maybe you just want to look stylish.

Regardless of the reason, jewelry stores aren’t your only option. In fact, your local pawn store may actually be a better place to go.

Here are some reasons to get your next piece of jewelry from a pawn shop in Philadelphia.

1. Price

First and foremost, pawn shop prices are nearly always better relative to jewelry stores. Sure, you can buy a brand new piece of jewelry at a jewelry store for a small fortune…

Or you could go to a pawn shop and get a piece in great condition — almost identical to a brand new piece — for a much smaller amount.

Additionally, there may be negotiating room. You might be able to knock a couple of bucks off the price the pawn shop has listed.

So whether it’s an engagement ring, birthday gift, or personal piece, you’ll avoid breaking the bank by getting your jewelry at a pawn shop.

2. Sell or Pawn To Expand Your Budget

If better prices at pawn shops weren’t enough, it’s easy to expand your jewelry budget at pawn shops. Just bring in items you’d like to pawn or sell and you can get more money into your hand that same day.

Do this right, and you could get your hands on quite the nice piece of jewelry that would otherwise be way out of reach at a typical jewelry store.

3. Variety

Jewelry stores have some level of variety in selection, but not necessarily what a pawn shop can offer.

The reason is simple: pawn shops regularly buy and sell jewelry from all sorts of people over many years. More types of people means more variety in jewelry.

For example, you might have a decent chance of finding beautiful vintage pieces at pawn shops. On the other hand, jewelry stores may only have newer/modern pieces.

You won’t miss out on brands you love, either. You could find big names like Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Hermès, and more at your local pawn shop.

4. Less Time To Receive the Jewelry

Jewelry stores let you buy right then and there… but they might have to order you a separate example of the same piece so they don’t have to hand you the floor piece. Not at pawn shops. You see a piece and you like it? Buy it, and you walk out with it that same day. If someone’s birthday or your anniversary is coming soon and you can’t wait around, pawn shops might be your best option.

Pawn Shops: Offering a Variety of Affordable Pieces

Don’t buy jewelry in Philadelphia from any old jewelry store. Look to a pawn shop like Cash Express instead. Jewelry is one of our hottest categories of items — we love to buy it, and we love even more to get it into your hands. Stop by today to check out all of our jewelry inventory!