Keepsakes For Cash - “It’s Getting Bad Out There”
Jan 24th, 2009 by Jennifer Lynn
Recently when I met with an old friend over lunch, the subject of our floundering economy inevitably weaved into our conversation.
My friend works as a legal aide and felt her company was pretty secure. Yet over fragrant sips of ginger and spicy Chai, it was her parent’s business she was most interested in discussing. Her family specializes in appraising and selling jewelry.
“Business has really been booming for my parents.” She tapped her mug and frowned. “But it’s been a disturbing change over the past few months. More frequently, financially desperate customers are coming to the shop.”
She paused and sighed.
“There’s been a surge of people bringing in wedding bands, precious keepsakes and family heirlooms - treasured pieces held in the family that are now being sold to cover basic financial costs. The stories my parents hear of why people are parting with such sentimental objects is heartbreaking. It’s getting pretty bad out there.”
A woman yesterday was forced to sell a gold diamond necklace and ring set inherited from her grandmother in order to cover family health insurance costs. And a recently laid off man came in to sell his pocket watch to pay utility bills - for him, every dollar counted. This type of situation, my friend mused, was increasingly becoming the norm. To make ends meet, people were raiding jewelry boxes and other personal items to sell whatever they could to turn assets into immediate cash under economic pressure.
On the way home from our lunch, I noticed a neon sign outside a pawn shop that had sprouted up a few blocks from me. “PAYING TOP DOLLAR FOR YOUR GOLD AND JEWELRY!” it screamed.
I didn’t have far to go before I was greeted by the next lurking signboard - “I buy diamonds! Sell us your unwanted gold! Fast Cash Now!!”
Another harbinger of lackluster economic times?
=^..^=
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That’s really sad, but a harsh reality.
PS, I just starting reading these blogs, and seriously…. what I say is true. You need to be a writer or something! =) =P
Keep it up!
Saps, xo
The sad thing is, not only are people getting rid of precious heirlooms to pay basic expenses, they are probably being ripped off by some unscrupulous dealers out there ( I don’t mean your friend’s parents, of course!). If I was forced to sell such an item, I would go to a couple of different dealers to see what they are offering first.