Electronics are valued at pawnshops based on their evaluated value, condition, and demand for the items if they have to sell them due to an unredeemed ticket. Electronics, unlike other often pawned items, do not keep their worth over time. Pawnshops buy laptops, and the value of a laptop six months from now maybe a fraction of what it is today, a point that pawnshops must consider when determining how much to offer.
Volatility
If you intend to pawn electronics items, you should be aware that the item’s wholesale value partly influences pawnshop pricing. Additionally, pricing on eBay and Amazon reveals how much certain items are selling across the country. Electronics, perhaps more than any other pawned item, demand a pawnshop’s understanding of its market as well as wider technology trends. The introduction of new models and innovations can cause the value of older models to drop. Thus, products that cost a fortune during the previous holiday season may be almost worthless the next. On the other hand, some brands keep their value better over time and are thus more valuable to a pawnshop owner. Apple items, for example, may have enough demand even if they are a generation or two old, and high-end electronics and digital cameras may be attractive as well.
Condition and Age
Pawnshops prefer electronics that are two years old or newer as a rule. Dealing with obsolete technology, on the other hand, puts the transaction in jeopardy. Electronics in good shape are also easier to sell than ones with flaws, which means they can get a higher loan. This is important since around 20% of items brought in for pawning are not redeemed and must be sold. Electronics depreciate quickly, so there’s a higher chance you won’t be able to acquire the expected value if you need to sell. Customers may be unhappy with gadgets if the iPad they brought in as collateral a year ago no longer sells for the same amount.
Completeness
Because many devices come with accessories out of the box, pawnshop consumers are likely to expect the same from what they buy from you. As a result, devices with chargers and adapters are more valuable than those without. A console alone may not be worth much when a customer brings in a video game system, but a newer system with all the controllers and wires, as well as some titles, will be easier to sell.
Customers
Finally, most pawn shops have many leeways when it comes to how much they can offer. While credit checks are not performed before taking property, good pawnshop operators use whatever information they have to predict the possibility of the item being redeemed and how long it will take. If you have a loyal customer who wants a $100 short-term loan for an iPad that normally sells for $80, you might think he’s a low risk and give him the money he needs, expecting he’ll pay it back on time. You might not receive the same break as someone you’ve never seen before.
