Cash for Gold: A new twist on the tupperware party?

Posted by Mrs Zeee on 04/26/2009

Last week I was invited to my first cash for gold party. Seriously.

I usually avoid tupperware, make-up, handbag, jewelry or any other soiree that encourages over-spending. If I do attend, it is usually to socialize and then I hold myself to a strict spending limit – Lord knows I can go overboard.

So I guess there’s nothing negative about a party whose purpose is to send you off with more cash in your pocket. Is there?

My first inclination was “cool idea.”

My second reaction was “is this legal…?”

My third and final decision was…”Heck yeah, I’ll attend! Now what should I sell?”

I’m not exactly Scrooge McDuck rolling in a vault of excess gold, but I do have a few choice pieces from my past that I am more than happy to get rid of in exchange for dough.

Here is what I was thinking of selling:

-An old gold chain that broke years ago and in my opinion is too thin and not worth spending the money to fix — this is a no-brainer. Gone!

-One gold hoop earring — useless without it’s mate unless I want to become a pirate or an 80’s reject. Another goner!

-Half of my best friend heart pendant. It’s the half that says “st end.” Considering I haven’t seen “Be Fri” in over 20 years, I think she’ll be cool with it.

locket

-A “JT hearts MZ” ring that my high school boyfriend bought for me. Needless to say, I don’t heart him anymore. Jerk.

-And a tiny bracelet that someone bought me when I was a baby. It never fit and I wouldn’t even put it on my daughter because I think baby jewelry is very uncomfortable.

Going rate right now for 14k gold is roughly $17 /gram.

I am not sure if these items are pure 14k gold, but it will be fun to find out.

So, am I being callous in tossing memories for money or is this a wise move considering these tough economic times?

I feel like the little angel on my right shoulder is shaking a finger at me in shame.

But the devil on my left shoulder is flashing a stash of cash and a menacing grin — and guess what? He wins!

For more tips on selling your gold visit:

Reader’s Digest

Heather R. said,

Go for it. Like you said those items would just sit in a box.
Chris Moran said,

Nice writing style. Looking forward to reading more from you.

Chris Moran
Cash For Gold said,

If you want $620, but you’ve already found someone who will give you $600, why don’t you just take the $600. Surely all the hassle you will need to go through to find someone who will buy it for $620 can’t possibly be worth the extra $20!
Brad said,

I have found that the “gold parties” are the WORST way to sell your gold. You will get pennies on the dollar. You wont do much better in pawn shops or jewelers either. The “as seen on tv” places will refuse to tell you what they pay up front. After some research I chose the Silver and Gold Exchange. They paid more than anyone else I could find and they post the prices they pay on a live chart on their website at http://SilverAndGoldExchange.com
zelzee said,

All I know is I sold some of my gold………
Quite painless, really.
Grace said,

Oh my goodness! I’ve seen the ads on TV, but somehow never really thought such things were real. I hope you had a great time.

ICLW
Mr. Shelby said,

Good luck! I’d be tempted too…
Maria@Conversations with Moms said,

Wow, I’ve never even heard of a gold party. You hear of something new every day. Before selling, I would check as many options as possible.
c lo said,

wow. you learn something new every day. if you do it, I hope you post about it, I’ll be watching!
Mrs. Gamgee said,

If I had any gold I’d sell it too! Go for it!

ICLW
shoppersdream said,

Gold is at it’s best price in years. Go for it. What good is something if you don’t use it
jill said,

I went to a cash for gold/tupperware party before. Smart idea for the host! Have people come and get cash for their old jewelry and then spend it on tupperware!
CityGirl said,

Pawn shops are creepy – you may make less this way, but you’re still getting more for those unwanted trinkets than you’d have if you left them in your jewelry box!

Hey, I sold my first engagement ring and got a LOT more for it than I expected!
Erica said,

I recently had a ring made a dug up everything I could possibly find that was old jewelry made from gold- 2 rings from high school boyfriends, earrings from my mom who got them from dad in 1985. It is all gone. C-ya. But i didn’t make that much money.
Erica
ICLW
Lesha said,

My cousin had one of these parties. Most of the people made out well, my mom, my sister, my aunt. Me? I got 4 bucks. And most of my “gold” given back to me because it wasn’t (even though, it SAID it was!).

Ah well.