You step up to the counter with a small bag. It clinks. The buyer studies it and looks at a chart on their screen. You feel like you need to know one simple thing before you speak. The screen shows a long gold line and a currency code. The seller mentions a "turning point" and higher prices. You nod because you want the best deal. Ask for a clear spot price and which currency they mean. Compare that price to two other local shops before you accept. Check weight and purity mar

Did you know a clean-looking guitar can hide costly problems? Many buyers focus on looks and miss the parts that matter. Myth vs fact: Neck wear means the guitar is junk Myth: Heavy fret wear or a warped neck means the guitar is trash. Fact: Some neck work and fret dress is normal. A skilled tech can level frets, replace a nut, or adjust the truss rod for a modest cost. The real issue is when neck problems stop the guitar from staying in tune or make notes buzz at normal play

Think the newest phone is always worth more? That mistake costs sellers and buyers. You can do better by matching device type to how buyers actually pay. Low risk: small, recent phones and headphones These sell fast and keep a good share of their price. Think mid-range to high-end phones from the last two years and wireless noise-cancelling headphones. You can test them quickly. Battery health, screen condition, and paired accessories matter most. You should expect steady int

Quick hook You might trust a gadget that looks fine but hides a repair mess. The new iFixit app makes spotting that mess easier on the spot. What’s going on iFixit released a phone app that packs its repair guides into your pocket. You can look up teardown photos, step steps, and repair tips fast. That changes how you check gear before you buy or take it in. Why it matters to you You handle used gear. You need fast checks that don’t slow down a customer line. The app gives st

A mistake many sellers make: they call a device "working" because it powers on. That alone hides faults you’ll face as a buyer or pawnbroker. What the app launch means for you A well-made repair app puts step-by-step checks in your pocket. You can open a guide while you hold the device. That cuts guesswork at the counter. The iFixit app release makes repair guides easy to read on small screens. For a pawnbroker or a buyer, that means faster checks and fewer surprises. You don

Want the most cash and the least headache when you move your guitar, amp, or pedal? The choice between local sale and shipping matters more than you think. What’s going on You have music gear to sell. You can sell nearby, meet a buyer, or list online and ship. Each path changes how much you get, how fast it sells, and how much risk you take. Why it matters to you A quick local sale can clear space and get cash today. Online sales reach more buyers and often fetch higher price

You meet a seller at the shop. They push a small zip bag across the counter. Inside are a few old coins and a thin gold chain. The seller says prices jumped last year and they want cash now. Coins and a gold chain displayed on a counter, highlighting items available for sale and scrap in a shop setting. Ask to see the piece out of the bag and hold it yourself. Look for hallmarks or stamps on jewelry and coins. Check weight with a scale or ask the seller to weigh it. Ask where

Think a used audio interface is just plug-and-play? That mistake costs people time and money. Myth: Any working unit is fine Fact: A unit that powers on can still have hidden problems. Internal noise, bad preamps, worn connectors, and faulty clocks do not always show up in a quick power test. You want a unit that both powers up and performs cleanly under real use. Myth: Specs on a sticker tell the whole story Fact: Specs like sample rate and bit depth are only part of the pic

Think a cracked bezel or dented case kills the sale? Not always. Many devices still fetch cash if they power up and pass basic checks. But the damage changes risk and price. Low risk: small scuffs, hairline scratches These are surface marks that don't touch screens or ports. If the device turns on, charges, and the main buttons work, it stays in the low risk tier. You can expect close to normal resale offers, minus a small cosmetic discount. Medium risk: dents, deeper scratch

How can gold hit records while volatility sits low? That rare mismatch puzzles people. Usually calm stock swings mean dull gold. But right now gold is pushing highs even as the ups and downs gauge is muted. For the second-hand seller or buyer, that matters because metal demand and household selling behavior change when prices move differently than expected. What should you check when someone brings gold to sell? Ask three quick things: weight, purity, and why they are selling