Statistics show that approximately 30 million Americans use the services of pawn shops every year. Some sell or buy items from the shops, while others use their properties as collateral to secure loans. You can pawn a wide array of items, including electronics, guns, watches, and jewelry.
If you want to sell your watch at the pawn shop, you can use certain strategies to increase the amount of money you get from it. The following are tips for selling your watch at a pawn shop.
Clean the Watch Thoroughly
Your watch's value can be lowered if it is dirty. If you went to a shop to buy a watch, you would probably not be willing to pay much for one that is full of dust and debris. Thus, the same applies when you are the seller.
When you show up with a dirty watch, the seller will presume that the product is low-quality or too old. Therefore, you should clean it to maintain or increase its value.
Use warm soapy water to clean the external parts of the watch. Gently scrub it with a soft toothbrush and use a paper towel to dry it or let it air dry. Don't use abrasive detergents.
If your watch has stubborn stains, use rubbing alcohol when cleaning. You could also remove the straps for better results.
Package It Professionally
If you always keep product packages, you have an advantage since you can easily return the watch to its original box. Ensure that you wipe the box to remove dust.
If you have the papers that came in the box, such as warranty or tag, include them in the box. This will encourage the pawnbroker to give you a better deal because they can confirm that the watch is legit. The pawnbroker will also be confident to sell it to a client.
If you don't have the boxing, you can purchase a decent one or create one if you can. Ensure that the boxing fits the watch perfectly.
Replace the Batteries
The first thing the expert at the pawn shop will do is to confirm if your watch works. Thus, you should replace its batteries to avoid inconveniences in the presence of the pawnbroker.
If the watch doesn't work after you have replaced the batteries, it probably has a technical problem or damaged parts. Hence, you should take it to a professional for repair to increase its value.
Find Out the Value of Your Watch
You need to know the current market value of your watch. This way, you won't sell it at a loss unknowingly. Most watches, particularly luxury ones, usually appreciate as the years go by due to rarity, brand, model, collectible status, dials, and previous ownership by a celebrity.
Therefore, you should do adequate research about the market price of your watch. You can do this by searching through online platforms, consulting local jewelers, or asking watch experts at auction houses. With this information, you can estimate a reasonable selling price that will still favor you even after negotiation.
Choose a Trustworthy Pawn Shop
The pawn shop that you choose to work with determines the amount you get and your overall experience. Strive to identify a shop with experienced evaluators who can help you understand how they chose their quote.
You should go to several pawnshops to choose one with a friendly price. Besides, you can go through the online platforms to check reviews from past clients. This will help you work with a reliable and convenient pawn shop.
Selling your watch at a pawn shop can help you get money quickly to respond to urgent needs. At 2J's Pawn & Gun, we buy and sell watches, guns, and jewelry and also offer pawn shop loans. Contact us today for more information.