When gadgets are designed to fail: what pawn buyers should watch after CES ‘Worst in Show’

A shiny gadget can hide a trap. Some new tech is built so it can’t be fixed or resold.

What’s going on

named the 2026 "Worst in Show" picks at CES. The list calls out devices that are invasive, wasteful, or hard to repair. For a pawn buyer, that matters. It points to products that lose value fast or are risky to accept in trade.

Why it matters for your counter

You buy things to resell or loan on. If a device can’t be opened, has glued parts, or uses one-off batteries, your options shrink. You might be stuck holding junk. Buyers who spot these design choices avoid long headaches and sudden losses.

What to check before you accept a gadget

• Can the back or case be removed with common tools? If not, assume costly repair.

• Are screws Torx or tri-wing (specialty bits)? Those reduce resale pools.

• Is the battery sealed or glued? Sealed batteries mean battery swaps are hard.

• Does the device require proprietary chargers or cables? Proprietary parts cut the buyer market.

• Are key components modular (replaceable parts)? Modular parts keep value up.

• Is the screen fused to the front glass? Fused screens spike repair costs.

• Does the maker lock diagnostic modes behind passwords? Locked devices are hard to test.

Micro-moment

You meet a seller with a sleek gadget and a cracked screen. You power it on and it shows a logo but no home screen. You ask for the original charger and a password. The seller shrugs and says it worked yesterday. That little pause is a red flag: you may be getting a device that boots but won’t pass full testing or reset for resale.

Red flags and quick tests you can do fast

Try these checks at the counter before offering cash. They take a minute and save hours later.

Try powering on and off three times to watch for boot loops. Plug in a common charger and watch if the device charges steadily. Open system menus if you can and check battery health or accessory status. Look for third-party repair reviews or teardown notes on popular models (if you know the model). Ask for receipts or proof of purchase and note any refusal. Check for water damage markers or corrosion around ports. Ask the seller to remove any cloud/account locks while you watch.

How to price or decline

If a device shows one or more of the red flags, discount more than usual. Factor in probable repair costs, parts scarcity, and the time you will spend sourcing a technician. If a device is sealed, locked, or needs a part that is rare, consider declining. Low resale price plus uncertain repair equals a risk that often isn’t worth taking.

Bottom line: make fixes your profit plan

Shift your buying filter from just how it looks to how it can be fixed and tested. A shiny gadget that is unfixable or invasive will cost you. Say no faster to items that need proprietary tools, sealed batteries, or account unlocks. That keeps your shelves full of items you can actually sell.

Stones can add value, but only when they’re verified — don’t let "maybe" inflate the number.

Today’s takeaway: Spot design traps before you hand over cash and buy only items you can test, open, or repair with normal tools.