Short answer: pawn shops typically offer a percentage of 14k gold's melt value, so you'll usually see offers that amount to roughly half to around three quarters of the metal's calculated value per gram once purity and the shop's payout rate are applied. What to do first Bring government photo ID (and a second piece if you have one). Separate pieces by karat if you already know it (10k/14k/18k), but don't guess. Expect offers to track verified content + local buyer demand, no

Start here: the fastest way to tell is a quick play and a straight-edge check — if buzzing, dead frets, or a visible bow show up, the neck or frets need work. These problems affect playability and how a shop values the instrument. Quick answer: what to test first Answer up front: play every string across the neck and check a straight line along the frets. If notes buzz or choke out, frets are uneven, or the neck has a visible bow or twist, it flags a repair or lower offer. St

An iFixit teardown titled "Galaxy XR Teardown: Is This the $1800 Vision Pro Killer?" appeared on 2025-12-19, pointing at renewed interest in new premium AR/VR headsets. That teardown matters because it changes what you should ask and check when someone brings a Galaxy XR—or any recent mixed-reality headset—into the shop. Why a teardown story matters to you A teardown signals that technicians and buyers are digging into how a device is built and how repairable it is. For a sho

Curious what to expect at the pawn counter? Here's a clear, practical breakdown so you can walk in ready. Two-minute prep If stones matter to you, say so up front (some offers treat stones as secondary). Point out hallmarks/maker marks; it speeds verification. Separate pieces by karat if you already know it (10k/14k/18k), but don't guess. Bring government photo ID (and a second piece if you have one). Quick answer A shop will usually offer a percentage of what they expect to

You want to know what happens when you hand over a laptop or game console at the pawn counter and how the shop decides an offer. In short: the shop will power the device, verify it isn't locked or stolen, check basic functionality and accessories, and run quick diagnostics that show whether resale is straightforward. What the counter test covers At the counter the shop starts with basic power and ID checks — can the device boot, does the screen light up, do controllers connec

Most of the time you can pawn a console that still has an account signed in, but it makes the transaction harder and usually reduces the offer. The quickest path to a fair offer is to sign out, factory-reset, and bring proof you own the account or the console. Quick answer and why it matters Yes — but a console with an active account creates questions at the counter. A shop is concerned about ownership, resale risk, and whether the device can be wiped and resold quickly. Expe

Buying a used iPhone can save you a chunk of money, but skipping a few checks makes for a risky purchase. Do a handful of verification steps and functional tests and you'll avoid common problems that lower resale value or lock you out of the device. Quick answer In short: verify the device isn't activation‑locked, confirm the IMEI/ESN is clean for your carrier, test core functions (screen, touch, camera, speakers, Wi‑Fi, and cellular), check battery health in Settings, and as

If you need roughly $500 fast, you're not limited to one type of item. A shop's offer depends more on condition, resale demand, and documentation than on sticker price. The 60-second checklist If stones matter to you, say so up front (some offers treat stones as secondary). Point out hallmarks/maker marks; it speeds verification. Expect offers to track verified content + local buyer demand, not retail pricing. Bring government photo ID (and a second piece if you have one). Qu

Wondering what actually happens when you bring an item to the pawn counter? Here's a straight answer and a practical playbook so you know what to expect. Quick answer: the loan in one paragraph A pawn loan is a short-term, collateralized loan: you bring an item, the shop assesses its resale value and condition, then offers a loan amount that you can accept or decline. You leave the item as collateral, get cash and a ticket with terms; if you repay within the agreed period plu

You found a broken gold chain in a drawer and wondered if it's worth anything. Short answer: yes — almost always, but how much depends on a few things. The real issue Gold's value comes from two sources: melt value (the metal itself) and resale value (brand, design, stones, fixability). A broken chain still contains the metal. If it's solid gold, the grams and the karat drive the base value. If it's plated or gold-filled, the metal value can be negligible and the shop will tr