Whether you’re trying to get rid of items you’ve been holding onto or you’re looking to make some extra cash, you may be in a situation where you want to sell some of your belongings. There are a couple of routes you could take when going about this — namely, you can sell to a pawn shop or online to a private party.
Both means of selling your items have distinct benefits, so it’s important to know the differences. That way, you can make the right choice for your specific situation. Read on to learn more about pawn shop vs. private party selling.
Benefits of Selling to a Pawn Shop
Selling to a pawn shop in your community has several advantages that you should know about:
Speed
When you need fast cash, selling to a pawn shop is the way to go. The process is easy, as you can literally bring your item to a pawn shop and walk out with cash in hand in less than an hour flat. Speed is highly convenient when you are unable or unwilling to wait even a day longer to receive money for the item you’re selling.
Whether you need some money to help you through the week until your next paycheck or you need to pay a bill on time to avoid interest or penalties, selling to a pawn shop ensures you get your money when you need it most. There’s zero waiting for a buyer to show up. You already have a willing buyer waiting for you at your local pawn shop.
Safety
Pawn shops are safe places to sell unwanted items. They are highly regulated by governmental agencies and adhere to strict standards of safety for themselves and everyone who walks through their doors. When you sell at a pawn shop, you can know that you’ll be dealing with people in your community who want the transaction to be as smooth and safe as possible.
When you post an item online, it’s there for everyone to see, which can increase the chances of entering into unsafe situations or making a risky sale. People can lie about who they are online, and the last thing you want is to get yourself into a scenario where things start to feel out of your control. Instead, choose the safety of your local pawn shop to sell your items with more peace of mind.
Convenience
When it comes to selling to a pawn store vs. online sales, convenience is something you should consider. While both methods have their own type of convenience, pawn stores may have the upper hand. You can do a quick Google search to find pawn stores near you. Then, drive there with your item and sell it for a price you agree to.
You can avoid waiting around for someone to buy your item online. You have a schedule to keep, and you can sell your item when you need to by visiting your local pawn shop. That level of convenience is absent when dealing with the inconsistencies of online sales.
No Scammers
Pawn shops are official, regulated places to sell your items. You know what you’re getting into before the transaction. The pawn shop employees will always treat you with respect and dignity — so long as you do the same. They’re trained in customer service to give you the best experience possible without tolerating any silliness.
The same cannot be said of online buyers. People get scammed online regularly — buyers and sellers alike. It can be difficult to differentiate between scams and legit buyers, but you can start to learn the signs over time. You can skip that by going to your local pawn shop for an experience you can trust.
Accurate Pricing
Pawnbrokers will give you the most accurate pricing for your items. They stay up-to-date with current markets and have a diverse range of knowledge regarding the worth of any item you bring in. From electronics and musical instruments to jewelry and apparel, pawnbrokers know how much an item is worth.
Of course, pawnbrokers will offer you less than the exact worth of any given item because they need to turn it around and sell it for a profit to stay in business. Even so, there’s still a chance you can get more from a pawnbroker than you would online, as you may find that online buyers want to talk you down to an even lower price than you’re willing to accept.
Long-Term Business Relationships
You can develop long-term business relationships with the folks at your local pawn shop. Perhaps you have several items you want to sell now or in the future. When you go to your local pawn shop on a consistent basis, you and the employees will start to get to know each other. You can even get on a first-name basis.
This comes with many benefits of its own. The pawnbrokers will trust you more over time and know what types of items you generally sell. They’ll get to know the general condition of your items and how you treat your belongings. This can lead to better offers and more money in your pocket after every transaction since they’ll know you’ll be coming back for repeat business.
Option to Pawn Instead of Sell
Another benefit of selling to a pawn shop instead of a private party online is that you have the option to pawn your items if you so choose. Pawning is different than selling and involves using your items as collateral for a loan. This means you get money for your item and can get your item back from the pawn shop after paying off the loan in full within a set timeframe.
This option is ideal if you need money fast but want the opportunity to get your item back in the near future. Maybe you are in a situation where you need money, but the main items of value that you own are special or you want to use them again in the future. If this sounds like you, then pawning your items instead of selling them may be the best choice.
Diverse Demand
Pawn shops have a wide catalog of items they’re interested in. It’s incredible to see the various items pawn shops have for sale — you never know what you might find in there. That’s good news for sellers like you since the chances are high that you’ll get an offer on the item you bring in.
While the internet is vast, it can be hard to find the right buyer for your product, which is especially true if you’re trying to sell something obscure. You need the right person to find your posting online to make the sale, but if they never see your post or choose someone else’s, you could be out of luck.
No Shipping and Handling
Selling to a pawn shop involves bringing your item directly to them. After the sale, you leave the building with cash in hand. You get to avoid shipping costs and ensure your item gets to its destination in great shape.
Selling online subjects you to shipping and handling costs. Shipping costs can be expensive, especially if your buyer lives far away. Plus, it’s impossible to guarantee that the item will reach the buyer in the same shape you packaged it. Avoid these costs and risks by selling to your local pawn shop.
The Ability to Negotiate
One of the biggest benefits of selling to a pawn shop is that you have the opportunity to negotiate for a better price. In fact, most pawn shops will expect you to negotiate. You should do some research on your item so you know its general cost according to its condition. This will allow you to negotiate with confidence. Pawnbrokers can tell when a seller is guessing their way through a negotiation process.
Come to the transaction prepared to negotiate, and you may be able to land a higher selling price for your item.
Benefits of Private Party Selling
Now that you know some of the advantages of selling to a pawn shop, you should consider the following advantages of selling to a private party online.
Buyers for Just About Anything
According to a recent survey, there are over 5 billion internet users worldwide. A large portion of those internet users are familiar with buying and selling online, meaning there should be at least one person out there who is in the market for the exact item you’re selling.
It’s a double-edged sword, though. With so many people buying and selling on the internet, selling your item can be a slow and chance-dependent process. You may need to wait a while until that one perfect buyer finally finds your posting.
No Holding Periods
When you sell online, you can complete the transaction and move on with your life. While pawn shops can get you cash fast, many must follow local regulations that force them to hold items for a set time as they check various databases before giving you your money. Holding periods are a safeguard to combat thieves trying to sell the items they’ve stolen. Selling online allows you to avoid this holding period.
More Control Over the Selling Price
You can set your price when you sell online without anyone telling you otherwise. If you think your item is worth a certain amount, you can set that price. That way, you can get the most money possible when you find a buyer.
Keep in mind, you may be waiting a while to sell your item if you price it too high. In some instances, you may find yourself lowering the price of your item to attract more buyers. When you price your item to sell — usually for a slight loss — you should be able to find a buyer online much faster.
When Should You Sell to a Pawn Shop?
Selling to a pawn shop and selling online both have their advantages. One choice might be right for someone, and the opposite could be right for someone else. It all comes down to your specific situation and what you want out of your experience. Here are three instances when it may be best for you to sell to a pawn shop:
- You want cash immediately: If you want cash immediately and are unwilling or unable to wait for a buyer to find you online, then you should go to a pawn shop. They will make you an offer on the spot, and you can even negotiate to try to get a better price. You’ll walk out of the store with cash in your pocket to put toward whatever you decide.
- You want a safe, regulated selling environment: Selling online can feel a bit uncomfortable at times, especially when it comes to meeting your buyers in person to make the sale. For a safer environment, choose to sell your items at a pawn shop. Pawn shops are regulated to give you the safest experience possible for more peace of mind.
- You may want to pawn instead of sell: You may decide to pawn your item instead of selling it so you can one day own your item again after paying off your loan. You only have this unique option when you go to your local pawn shop.
When Should You Sell to a Private Party?
There are other instances when it may be best to sell your items online to a private party. Here are some situations when you may want to consider this route:
- You are fine with waiting: You may need to wait a while to make a sale when you sell online. If you have time to spare, then selling online could be a choice worth considering.
- You want to control the sale: Selling online to a private party puts you in control of the sale. You set the price, and you can deny or accept any offer a potential buyer brings to you. Selling online can give you the best chance to sell your item for the price you want rather than the price you’re willing to accept.
- You’re selling something a pawn shop may not take: Most pawn shops have an area they focus on, like luxury items, musical instruments, electronics, jewelry, etc. If you’re selling an obscure item that a pawn shop may have difficulty reselling, then you may have better luck finding a buyer online yourself.
Sell Your Items to The Vault Jewelry and Loan
The Vault Jewelry and Loan is ready to become your local pawn shop for your pawning and selling needs. We specialize in luxury items and today’s most popular products. Our diverse offerings and expertise ensure you can sell or pawn your items and get the money you need in your pocket. We have several locations throughout Virginia, so browse our locations online to find the one closes to you.
Contact us online today to find out more about our high-end pawn shop or to see if we are interested in the item you’re selling.
