Seasonality at the pawn counter: when second-hand prices move
Short answer: second-hand prices move with new product launches, the gold market and the seasons. That is why a price based on recent real sales is safer than one remembered from months ago, and why your loan percentage should leave room for change while you hold an item.
New model launches
When a manufacturer announces a new phone, laptop or console, the previous models often lose value as owners upgrade and sell. Items you lend on just before a launch may be worth less when you sell them.
The gold market
Gold has a daily reference price that can rise or fall. Your loan percentage on gold leaves a margin for movements during the loan period. Record the reference price and its date with every gold loan.
Seasons
- Bicycles and outdoor equipment usually sell better in spring and summer.
- Some electronics and toys sell better before holidays.
- Your own sales history shows which seasons matter in your shops.
What to do about it
- Price from recent sales, not from memory or an old price list.
- Look at the date of the comparable sales behind a price.
- Review loan percentages per category before the seasons that matter to you.
How PawnMeter helps
PawnMeter uses only recent sales: the last 180 days for electronics and the last 12 months for cars. Each price shows the dates of the sales behind it, so the clerk can see how fresh the evidence is.
PawnMeter: Type the item. PawnMeter shows the resale price and a suggested loan, calculated only from what comparable items really sold for. When there is not enough data, it says so instead of guessing.
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