Do Pawn Shops Buy TVs?

Yes, many pawn shops buy TVs, and most will also lend against them. Shops want working flat-screen TVs that are recent enough to resell, which usually means smart TVs from known brands with the remote, power cord and stand. Older, damaged or very small sets are hard to resell, so they are often turned away. The offer depends on the TV's age, size, condition and what similar used sets are selling for.

If you live in Pennsylvania, selling a working TV is more than a way to get cash. It is one of the few simple ways to get rid of one. Under Pennsylvania's Covered Device Recycling Act, no one may put a television in the household trash, and landfills have not been allowed to accept them since January 24, 2013. The same rule covers desktop and laptop computers, monitors, and computer accessories. A TV that still works can be sold or pawned. One that does not has to go to an electronics recycling program, and the State Department of Environmental Protection runs a recycling hotline at 1-800-346-4242 to help residents find one.

What Kind of TVs Do Pawn Shops Want?

A shop buys what it can sell. These features make a TV easy to say yes to:

• Flat screen with smart features. Built in streaming apps are what buyers look for.

• A recent model. Newer sets hold value. Each year of age takes some away.

• A known brand. Familiar names resell faster than off-brand models.

• A clean screen. No cracks, lines, dark spots or burn-in.

• Complete. Remote, power cord and stand or feet included.

What TVs Are Usually Turned Down?

• Tube TVs and rear projection sets

• TVs with cracked or lined screens

• Sets missing the power cord with no easy replacement

• Very old flat screens without smart features

• TVs with a store's rental or lease tag on them

If a shop will not take your TV and it still works, donate it. If it does not work, recycle it. It cannot go to the curb with regular trash in Pennsylvania.

How Do Pawn Shops Decide What to Pay for a TV?

The buyer plugs the TV in, checks the picture and sound, tests the inputs and the remote, and looks up what the same model sells for used. The offer comes from that resale price, less the shop's margin for testing, holding and selling it. TVs lose value quickly as new models come out, so a set that cost a lot three years ago may bring a modest offer today. Our post on how pawning electronics works covers how electronics are evaluated.

How Should You Get a TV Ready to Sell?

1. Find the remote, power cord and stand. Missing parts lower the offer.

2. Sign out of your accounts. Log out of streaming apps, then run a factory reset from the settings menu so the next owner cannot access your accounts.

3. Clean the screen and frame. Use a dry microfiber cloth. Do not spray cleaner on the screen.

4. Write down the model number. It is on a label on the back. The shop will use it to check the resale price.

5. Transport it upright. Lying a flat screen down in a car can crack the panel.

6. Bring a valid photo ID.

Should You Sell the TV or Pawn It?

Sell it if you are upgrading or moving and do not want it back. Pawn it if you need short-term cash and plan to return for it. With a pawn loan, the TV is stored at the shop and returned when you repay the loan and interest by the due date. Remember that TVs lose value over time, so a loan on a TV will be smaller than you might expect from the original price.

Can You Buy a TV at a Pawn Shop?

Yes. Used TVs at a pawn shop have been plugged in and checked before they go on the floor, and they cost less than new. Ask to see it running, check all the inputs and ask about the return policy. See what to check before buying used electronics.

FAQ

Do pawn shops take TVs without a remote?

Some do, at a lower offer, since the shop has to supply one.

Do pawn shops buy broken TVs?

Generally no. A cracked screen costs more to fix than the TV is worth.

How much do pawn shops pay for TVs?

It depends on the model, age and condition. Call with the model number for a quick answer on whether the shop is interested.

Can I throw an old TV away in Pennsylvania?

No. State law bans televisions from the trash. Use an electronics recycling program.

Sell or Pawn Your TV in Greensburg

The Pawn & Jewelry Exchange has served Greensburg since 2005. We buy and lend on flat-screen TVs, laptops, tablets and gaming systems. Bring your TV and a valid ID to 206 E. Pittsburgh St. for a free verbal appraisal. No appointment is needed, and if you accept the offer, you are paid in cash. See our Sell Your Items and Pawn Loans pages.

Visit The Pawn & Jewelry Exchange or call (724) 836-7296 today. Contact us for more information.