How We Appraise an Item

Our appraisal process varies depending on the type of item. For example, jewelry is evaluated differently than a DVD player. Every appraisal is done with the intent of getting you the money you need.

Authenticating Gold & Diamonds

When jewelry is the collateral, we will authenticate the precious metal and diamonds that adorn the piece. We will always ask your permission to test your item before we begin the authentication process that includes a visual inspection using a jeweler’s loupe, weighing the item, sizing (determining carat weight) any diamonds and noting the cut/color/clarity of each—you may know this as the 4 Cs. In addition, we will test the metal using a special acid that determines the karat of gold. This process does not damage your jewelry. It is done to ensure a clean test so there are no false readings on your item.

Testing General Merchandise

When it’s general merchandise you want to pawn—TVs, stereos, DVD players, cameras, power tools, firearms, etc.—we will test each item to ensure it is in good working condition. That includes, but is not limited to, a visual inspection, plugging in an item and turning it on, and noting if any accessories are included. The better the condition of your item, the more money we can loan you. This is true for any collateral.

New vs Pre-Owned

Our loan values are based on pre-owned retail prices, not what the item cost when it was new. Any collateral that is turned over to us and made available for sale is pre-owned and will be priced accordingly on our sales floor. The loan amount we give you is based on that anticipated selling price. Our internal pricing and research department reviews thousands of items to ensure that our loan values are in line with the general marketplace for pre-owned merchandise.

Overall Condition of an Item

The condition of an item is always taken into account during the appraisal process. If one 32-inch television comes in that is in perfect condition and one 32-inch television comes in with a chipped screen, we will loan more on the TV that is in better condition. This is true for any collateral.