Eureka Trading Company buys and sells all sorts of items from local folks, so we can keep a wide selection of merchandise available in our Humboldt pawn shop. Your house can have that uncluttered feeling again (at least for a while) and a little more money lining your pocket after a good cleaning.

What does Humboldt pawn shop purchase from those who’ve caught spring cleaning fever? Here are a few of the items you might bring in:

• Used musical instruments and amps that you no longer use. Some smaller instruments like clarinets and flutes don’t take up much space in your closet, but you might be constantly tripping on that saxophone case in the garage. Pass along music to another soul — bring your used musical instruments into our Eureka pawn shop to sell.

• Electronics you’ve upgraded or replaced. That new TV looks great in the living room, but the old set is taking up space in storage. At Eureka Trading Company, we regularly buy and sell big electronics like TVs, stereos, speakers and game systems.

• Tools you have no use for anymore or have duplicates of. It’s amazing how many wrench sets a guy can get over several years of Father’s Day gifts and Christmases. If you have duplicates or extra tools just taking up space, sell them and use the cash to buy a tool you really need (we may even have what you’re looking for in stock!).

• Outdoor gear you no longer use. From tents to fishing rods, there is a wide variety of outdoor gear that you may not have a use for anymore but others would love to have.

• Jewelry you haven’t worn in ages. Gold jewelry can especially be lucrative to sell, but silver and diamond jewelry are also popular items in our pawn shop.

• Old coins or other collectibles you inherited and don’t know what to do with. We will give you a fair estimate of value and price.

Have an item not on the list but want to know if we’re interested? If you’re wondering what does Humboldt pawn shop purchase and what we don’t, these are items you should either donate or sell to a consignment shop:

• Clothing

• Children’s toys (except for vintage or collectible toys)

• Broken or heavily damaged items

It all comes down to how we obtain the merchandise in our store. The first way is that people come in and sell their items directly to us. From Blu-Ray movies to car stereos to used trumpets, Humboldt County locals come to us to sell their stuff quickly and fairly, and every item is registered with the sheriff’s office to ensure nothing has been stolen. Since items are used and we need to resell them, what we pay will be less than what you might be able to sell the same item for elsewhere. The difference is we can offer cash immediately to a customer, where it might take you several months, if ever, to sell on eBay.

Who will buy gold and silver in Eureka, CA at a fair price? Eureka Trading Company! We will check the current price of gold and silver as we weigh your jewelry or other metal items to ensure you get a fair deal. The price of these commodities fluctuates throughout the day, and we always use up-to-the-minute prices and our cut when we give you a quote. That’s also how we sell our silver and gold jewelry — we don’t put a set price. Instead, we just mark the karat and how much a piece weighs to determine the price to a customer, which is how we sell jewelry at such affordable prices. You won’t find this policy at all pawn shops in Eureka, Calif.

We also offer trade options for those who have items they want to get rid of or replace, which is another way we obtain merchandise. Trading for new tools or musical instruments isn’t uncommon, and there are plenty of options available. We’re willing to make a deal for those who want to trade what they have for something new.

The third way we obtain merchandise is the rarest. When we offer a customer a pawn loan, they put up an item of value as collateral. If they don’t pay off the loan, we give them four months to reclaim it. But if they don’t reclaim it, we put it on the floor to sell. However, more than 85% of any merchandise pawned is redeemed by the borrower, so only a small percentage of what we have in stock is procured this way.

That’s how we are able to offer low prices on the merchandise at Eureka Trading Company. Come see for yourself at our shop on the corner of 4th and D streets in Eureka, CA.

If you need a few new tools to get your spring cleaning and maintenance off to a good start, go by the pawn shops in Humboldt County like Eureka Trading Company to find what you’re looking for at a great price. Most tools like power drills don’t get used anywhere near their capacity, even though they could be used much more heavily than they have been. When we pick up used tools, there is still plenty of life left in them that you can use at a fraction of the cost of a brand new tool.

At any given time, we have a wide selection of power tools and hand tools that you can use to make your home a better place. Springtime is upon us, so now is the time to stock up on what you’ll need to finish that spring cleaning (and if you need plan to clean out your closet, we can help with that, too).

What tools will you need to complete your spring to-do list? Find out if we have it in stock by giving us a call at 707-443-2000 or stopping by one of the best pawn shops in Humboldt County at 4th and D streets in Eureka.

(Spring tip: If you want to get a head start on Mother’s Day, come by to check out our selection of gold jewelry. As one of the most affordable jewelry stores in Humboldt County with a wide selection, it’s well worth a look!)

When you think about a pawn broker Eureka CA or anywhere else, you don’t necessarily think of smaller items like DVDs, but we see all sorts of items come through our doors every day. Some people sell them to us just to open up some space in their homes. Why pay $20-$30 for a new Blu-Ray disc when you can pick them up at our Humboldt pawn & trade shop for a third the price?

It’s not just B-movie titles that we see either — from the classics to movies worth checking out on Blu-Ray (like Inception), plenty of quality movie titles are on our sale rack.

Thinking about selling some of your DVDs or Blu-Rays? Bring them by — we look for discs without scratches and containers that aren’t too heavily damaged. Unless you have a large number of discs, you probably won’t get much of a loan from any pawn broker (Eureka CA), but have us take a look and we’ll tell you what we can give you for them.

When you come to browse through our jewelry cases, you will see that there are no specific prices listed on our gold jewelry. Instead, we note the weight and karat on a small tag attached to the jewelry. If you are interested in purchasing a piece, we will look up the current value of gold and use that to determine the price. Not all jewelry buyers in Eureka CA apply the same principles when buying and selling gold jewelry. Other jewelry stores and pawn shops will factor in the style and design of individual pieces to determine the price, which is typically more than just the value of the gold alone.

Why doesn’t Eureka Trading Company consider the uniqueness or style of the jewelry itself in the price? We like to offer a better value to gold buyers looking for a new piece of jewelry to add to their collection or to give as a gift. The ever-changing nature of the jewelry business is another factor — different styles come in and out of fashion, not to mention retro and antique pieces. That’s why we offer jewelry at the same price we would get if we melted it down and sold just the gold.

If you haven’t seen gold jewelry that strikes your fancy in Eureka Trading Company before, check back every few weeks — we are always getting in new jewelry that people have pawned or sold.

The first quality Eureka CA gold dealers will consider is the karat of your jewelry. The karat is the unit that they measure the purity of the gold: 24-karat gold indicates that something is made with pure gold and no other metals, meaning each karat indicates 1/24th of the whole. However, because gold is a malleable metal, very few pieces are actually made with 24-karat gold. When the gold is combined with another metal, it creates a stronger alloy that is more durable. Common metals to use in gold jewelry include zinc, copper and silver.

Gold jewelry that will receive a regular amount of wear, such as rings or bracelets, will generally have a lower amount of gold, such as 10-karat (41.7% gold) or 14-karat (58.3% gold). Jewelry that can afford to be more delicate, such as necklaces and earrings, can have higher amounts of gold because it will not wear as quickly, such as 18-karat (75% gold).

How can you tell how many karats your jewelry has? The U.S. Federal Trade Commission requires that items with 10-karat or greater must be stamped with a “K” or “Kt.” If you want to know the exact amount, bring it by our Eureka trade and pawn shop and we can examine it for you, even if you aren’t looking for cash for gold.

Karats vs. Carats

It should be noted that karats are different units of measurement than carats. Karats are specifically used to measure the amount of gold in a piece of jewelry or other item. The carat is a unit of mass that is used for measuring gemstones and pearls. Since both of these terms are pronounced the same and used in the jewelry industry, they are commonly confused.

If you have questions about gold items you have, go to Eureka CA gold dealers you can trust like the friendly staff in our Eureka trade and pawn shop on 4th and D streets in Eureka.

Our Eureka pawn shop always has a wide range of used musical instruments in stock, both new and used. If you want a new acoustic guitar or a simple harmonica, we always keep new ones in stock. But for a really affordable option, pawn shops are a great place to start your search for used musical instruments as well. These are ideal if you want to try out a new instrument you aren’t quite sure about or if you want to give the gift of music to a child.

How to Shop for Used Humboldt County Musical Instruments

Whenever you buy an instrument used, you should test it out if possible. Play a few chords on a used guitar or plug an electric guitar into an amp to test it out. Always plug in any electronic instruments and try out all the notes, such as keyboards. Generally, you can’t test out musical instruments that you blow into, including new harmonicas. However, you can check to make sure all the components are present.

For woodwinds that you need to assemble before playing, be sure each piece fits together and has not warped. You should also check the pads on clarinets, flutes and other similar instruments to ensure the pads are still intact. Replacing the padding on an instrument can be expensive and requires an expert hand, so it’s best to know what you are getting into when you invest in musical instruments in Humboldt County or anywhere else.

Most classical instruments will come with a case, but not all guitars do. If you have a list of musical accessories that you will need, always ask if the instrument you are interested in comes with them. If not, you can often negotiate a lower price when you are buying several items together (especially if the items are used).

Your Source for Humboldt County Musical Instruments

Whether you are looking for used or new musical instruments, Eureka Trading Company has a great selection of instruments. If you want to buy an instrument that is new to you or you’re interested in trading an electric for an acoustic guitar in a pawn shop, come check us out at 4th and D streets in Eureka.

(Photo source: Flickr User floodllama)

It’s a new year and a time for new beginnings — how will you make 2013 different? One simple way you can get a fresh start is to clear out some of the stuff you no longer use or need. It’s amazing how much better you’ll feel with a little extra space in your closet or your garage!

And you don’t just have to chuck it all out to the curb. Some of your unused items are still worth something, but they aren’t doing you any good in storage. Bring the best pieces to pawn shops in Eureka California like ours and you can make some extra cash as you give yourself some breathing room back at home.

You can get cash for old coins, musical instruments, tools, gold jewelry, diamond jewelry and TVs that you no longer use. If you aren’t sure if what you want to sell is something our pawn shop will take, check out the Eureka Trading website or give us a call at 443-2000 before coming down. This can be especially helpful if what you want to sell is bulky or heavy — we will need to see the item in person to make a proper evaluation, but call ahead to see if we are interested first and you can save yourself a little time.

Sort Your Unneeded Stuff

Sometimes just looking at a big mess of stuff is intimidating. How do you begin tackling something like a full closet or an overstuffed storage unit? You have a few options: You can set aside a whole day or half day to sort through it all at once, or you can start by taking out a few pieces at a time. What you decide to do is up to you, but you will generally be more satisfied if you can get to all of it in one session You don’t have to get rid of all of it at once, but you should decide what will stay and what will go. Then you can plan the next steps for selling what is valuable, donating low-value items and trashing the rest.

Prepare Your Items for Sale

Even though your stuff has been in storage, is it still in great condition? Here are a few tips for getting your stuff ready to sell to pawn shops in Eureka California:

• Give your items a good dusting and gently clean off surface dirt. Make your items look their best before you sell and you are more likely to get a better price.
• Ensure all components are together. Power cords, remotes, peripherals, instruction manuals, boxes — whatever came with the item and you still have, pack it together so you can easily bring it in.
• Do a little research online. If you want to get cash for old coins or some other item, get an idea of what they are worth before taking them to pawn shops in Eureka California. Pawn shops need to resell items, so they can’t give you full value, but they can give you cash upfront and save you the hassle of trying to sell it yourself.

Our Eureka trading website is always updating with more ways for you to make cash for your unused stuff or get a pawn loan when you really need, so check back often!

Jewelry: Perhaps an obvious choice, but that depends on where you look for your gift. Typical jewelry stores (Eureka CA) carry new jewelry from a few companies at a high markups — pawn shops Eureka offers have a wide range of rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, watches and wholesale diamond jewelry. If you want to find a piece with personality at a price that let’s you add more to the gift, come check out our jewelry case! We have some jewelry sets available, as well as eclectic designs in single pieces. Know what your recipient’s style is so you can find the perfect match. If you aren’t sure what type is best suited, see what kind of jewelry they wear on a regular basis.

Camera: This is a great pick for mothers and grandmothers. While they probably have camera phones, those tiny lenses still don’t compete with the features of a full camera (and how else can they capture baby dimples?). Of course, still and video cameras are also great picks for teens, artists and travelers  We see a lot of camera makes and models come into Eureka Trading Company, so we often have a selection at a fraction of the cost of new cameras.

DVDs and Blu Rays: For friends and family members, DVDs and Blu Rays can be stand-alone gifts or stocking stuffers. You can get used DVDs in several places locally, including video rental stores and our pawn shop, so you don’t have to wait for shipping. Shipping delays are almost inevitable during the busy Christmas season (so remember to get your presents shipped soon!).

If none of these quite fit the woman you’re thinking of, keep her interests and hobbies in mind when you shop. One of the benefits of shopping at pawn shops and other second-hand shops is you are more likely to stumble into an unusual or collector’s item that your recipient hasn’t seen. Who’s left on your list?

Tools: A classic gift for dads and handymen, high quality tools will last for years and serve a purpose in the household. In our pawn shop (Eureka, CA), we often have tools in stock, from socket sets to power tools. Most are in great condition and would be a great addition to any tool collection. We carry some in our eBay store for those who like to shop from home, but come in to the Eureka Trading Company at 4th and D street to see the full selection.

Watches: If tools aren’t a good match for the man you’re thinking of, wristwatches and pocket watches are another classic gift for men. You don’t have to spend a fortune on brand new or lightly used watches, either — we price all our jewelry below wholesale prices, so you get a good deal and a great gift. We have a wide variety of styles available in our jewelry case, and there is surely one that will be a perfect fit for your recipient.

Metal Detectors: This can be a fun gift for someone interested in finding buried treasure (or at least looking for it). Depending on what kind of metal detector you get, it can detect gold, silver or other metals and all have different ranges and settings. Great for beach-goers.

Collectibles: Not sure what the best practical gift would be? Collectibles in any category are a great way to go for Christmas gifts. Base your purchase on what your recipient is already a collector or fan of and you have quite a selection, from sports memorabilia to outdoor knife sets. If you’re looking for something specific, call ahead to see if we have something in stock: 707-443-2000.

Eureka Trading Company has many of these items in stock at below wholesale prices, but the holidays are a busy time so come in before the perfect gift is gone!