Living LIfe to the Fullest (if you are a Battery).

We've all been there. That dreaded moment when you look down on your laptop or hear that frantic warning from your phone, only too late, noticing the red battery symbol, knowing you only have mere moments left until your device powers off....

Lost.
Alone.
Cut off from the rest of the world and any communication.

...okay, that may be exaggerating a bit, but it still feels that way, right? Whether it's a smartphone, laptop, cordless tool or MP3 player, and from the built-in battery packs of your device to the batteries in your TV's remote control, here's a few tips to help you avoid falling into that situation and make your batteries last longer.

Lawn and Order: Special Maintenance Units

Summer is here in full force. That means different things to different people: summer break from school, family vacations, trips to the beach, hot dogs on the grill, ice cold lemonade...and whether you want to go out and enjoy the sunshine or stay inside and stay cool in the air conditioning, there is one part of summer that you cannot avoid: mowing the grass that seems to be growing right before your eyes. We all know that TBGoods has a great selection of lawn mowers, edgers, weedeaters and any other piece of lawn equipment you'll need to make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood, but we also want to make sure your investment in lawn equipment is a long-term one.

So make it easier on yourself by following 4 simple tips to maintain that lawnmower every year.

More than Silver, More than Gold

We all know the color of gold, the look and the feel, seeing gold rings and chains immediately says value and beauty. Silver has it's place as well...the classic look of silver jewelry or antiques, the light-patina of aging. There's a reason why these are referred to as precious metals...but there is one metal that is overlooked with amazing properties and beauty all it's own. We're talking about platinum, the rarest and heaviest of all precious metals, and a metal that you really should get to know better.

Diamonds: Let's Cut to the Chase

When people look at the value of a diamond, there are generally four qualities that are looked at to determine the value of the diamond, also known as the Four C's: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat.

We're going to look at one of the most dramatic of these characteristics, and one that can truly add or take away from the overall impression of the stone: the cut of the diamond.

New Year, New Resolutions

   The holidays are slowly fading, and along with having to put up the lights and tree and ornaments until next year, a lot of us are starting to think about the new year and the resolutions that we make for that ‘fresh start’. Although most of us in western culture celebrate New Year's day on the first official day of the Gregorian calendar (January 1st), there are many different unique dates and New Year celebrations around the world.

  So don’t worry if you slip up and don't drop those extra pounds, learn a new language, or quit smoking, because here are five other chances to get your resolutions in order.

Facts About Diamonds (a.k.a. 'Ice') - Stop, Collaborate and Listen!

With the winter weather firmly in place, and the holidays coming right around the corner, everyone here at TBGoods would like to take a moment to talk about some ice…not just the kind that you will be putting in the drinks during this year’s holiday office party, but the really exciting kind: diamonds.

Long heralded and prized as one of the most valued minerals known, diamonds are synonymous with a higher standard, but you know that, right? Here’s a few things that you may not know about diamonds.

Cutting the Cord on Cable TV

Stop by either TBGoods location, and you'll see that, on top of our already amazing prices, we are running a sale on all televisions! Great time to upgrade, huh? But what to watch...

First of all, a bit of a caveat: this topic is personal for me right now. I just got my cable bill.

<cue shocking music>

Yeah, it was that scary. Another increase in my cable bill for 100+ channels that I hardly watch...so I figure it would be a good time to take a look a little deeper into why this is, and what alternatives are out there. It's a big scary wild world with a slew of choices...some of them good, some of them not-so-good....are you ready?

Pre-owned Computers: Buying New Does Not Always Compute

Computers and cars actually share a lot of attributes. They both can be highly-specialized for certain tasks and needs. They both can have a very short or very long period of usefulness. They both can confound people that are not familiar with their inner workings. The biggest similarity, I think, is how when they are bought brand-new, they both immediately lose value after purchase. Thankfully, there are also plenty of reasons buying a pre-owned computer or laptop can save you money and suit your needs in a similar way that buying a pre-owned car versus buying new can save you money.

Worried about the computer equivalent of buying a lemon car? Don't be. Not only can you rest assured about the quality when buying pre-owned from TBGoods, but below we'll go over some tips that will help you make a good decision in finding a machine that is just right.

A new TV? Maybe not...

Blockbuster movies. The Big Game. Playoffs or preseason. Your favorite shows (now in HD!). There's plenty of good reasons to get a newer, bigger, fancier television, including the dreaded 'Uh-oh!' of a TV on the fritz. You might have seen the ads for the newest televisions, heard the buzz about all the latest advances in 4k and curved displays and quad-pixeling...but is it all worth it? Before you get your wallet out, let's take a look and see about saving you some money by buying pre-owned.

Short Guide for Smart People: Getting a Pawn Shop Loan

There's a right way and a wrong way to get a pawn shop loan.  There's also a right time and a wrong time.  Here, we're going to tell you how smart people get pawn shop loans – about the right way AND time.

But first, let's consider why you're getting a loan from a pawn shop. 

Hopefully it's for the right reason. 

For instance, perhaps you're late on your apartment rent and need some fast cash to pay off your debt.  Or maybe you need to pay the gas bill so you can cook and eat things other than canned food.  Or maybe you're starting a new business and need some money to pump into it.  These are all good reasons to get a loan, as long as you believe you can pay it back within the time the pawn shop gives you.

You don't have forever to buy your collateral back from the pawn shop.  This is why you need to make sure the time allotted by the pawn shop for buyback is sufficient. 

Do it the Right Way

The only reason you're loaning instead of selling is because, eventually, you want to get your piece of collateral back.  If you don't care about it, or don't need it, you can just sell it.  There's no point in taking out a collateral loan from a pawn shop if you don't intend on getting the item back.  If it makes no difference to you whether you own the item or not, just sell it.  Don't waste your time with the loaning process.

However, if you know you want to keep the item for yourself or someone else, make sure you're positive you'll have the money in time.  Since pawn shops only give you a limited time to buy back your collateral, it's not wise to take out HUGE loans.  Only take what you need and don't get greedy.

If you get smaller loans, or loans within your means, you have the greatest chance of getting your collateral back without complication. 

In addition to doing it the right way, make sure you keep your loan receipt.  This prevents a world of future hassle when you go to buy back your collateral.

Do it at the Right Time

When you need money, you need it.  And when you're making just enough to get by, it's hard to put a timestamp on cashflow.  But just because you can't judge your cashflow doesn't mean you can't have control over when you take out a pawn shop loan.

Although it's tempting to give something valuable up (a car?) for a wad of cash, it's unlikely you'll pay it all back ... unless you know you're getting paid a substantial sum, within the allotted time the pawn shop gives you. 

In this case, if you ABSOLUTELY needed money NOW, it would be the right time to make that decision.  On the other hand, if you weren't expecting a large cashflow to buy back your collateral, the time wouldn't be right.  Since you probably need your car to get to important places, basing a loan on it is not worth the risk.

Instead of asking for a loan, maybe it's a better time to sell.  And if one item won't cover your debt or expenses, try selling several things.  Things you can live without.  Taking out a pawn shop loan smartly is all about timing and prediction.  If you can strongly predict you'll pay off your loan in the allotted time, getting a pawn shop loan may be a good idea for you.

Going Green

There's a lot of talk about going green, and we are all doing our part. Sure, you recycle cans and plastics and glass, you shop for products made from post-consumer recyclables, you try to be energy efficient around the house and where you work, you've swapped out all those old bulbs with energy efficient CFL bulbs, maybe you even drive a hybrid or you've been thinking about those all-electric cars...but have you given any thought to one of the easiest and most cost-efficient ways to help recycle?

Buying pre-owned. Let's take a look at some benefits...

A Little Lesson About Loans

A little lesson about loans

It happens.

Every now and then, from time to time, emergencies pop up, the unexpected happens, or sometimes that paycheck you are counting on is delayed. The point is, it happens to everyone…you need just a little help to get by. We're glad to be there to help with our short-term, collateral-based loans, as you know. The rules behind these collateral-based loans are all set out by the Florida State Pawnbrokers Act, but let's be honest here…that's a pretty dry read. I'm getting kinda bored and sleepy just mentioning it.

Lucky for you, we're going to distill it down to the basics. 

Pawn Shops Make for Profitable Visits

Any time that an individual needs to generate some extra cash, visiting pawn shops represent great opportunities.  Taking your old memorabilia and antique items to the local pawn shop creates an excellent way to sell these items and eventually put them in the hands of those that will have a sincere appreciation for the goods.  These shops are located all over the continental United States.  Gainesville pawn shops offer a great and accommodating location for people in northern Florida and the town sits just off of Interstate 75 (US-I-75).

The first pawn shops were said to be found as far back at ancient Greece and the time of the Roman Empire.  Back in these days, King Edward III actually pawned royal jewels in 1338 to help fund the war with France.  These businesses have long been based on a strict cash business model.  That is, simply bringing in your older goods and exchanging them for straight cash.  It was not long ago in the United States that electronic payments started to make their way in to pawn shops.  With the expanding electronic commerce industry and the emergence of Merchant Data Systems, statistics on the pawn shop business have indicated a strong growth in activity.  This adoption of these advanced payment systems, in addition to the increased visibility and awareness thanks to the History Channel and their coverage of “Pawn Stars”, more people are understanding how these shops work and how they can start to make some extra cash for themselves.

Many businesses throughout the United States that work in the Pawn arena have even started including financial services, currency exchange, and more.  The simple days of introducing your goods and exchanging for cash are evolving and this trend is expected to continue in to the future.  Simply put, Americans enjoy the ability to bring in their old items and obtain cash and other services in this hip, negotiating manner.

The industry is not just attractive to those individuals that enjoy looking for older and historic items, the negotiating process is also a thrill for some individuals.  Typically, the individual will negotiate the price with the pawn shop, who must consider how much they will be able to sell the item for in the future.  This unique trait of people is interesting in the fact that it comes out in these types of circumstances.  Nonetheless, people enjoy the thrill of selling their old items in exchange for cash which they may use in a multitude of ways.

The Showdown

Throughout history, there have been issues that have divided families, made enemies out of close friends, and even started vehement arguments that lasted until early hours. The Civil War, liberal versus conservative, paper versus plastic, Coke versus Pepsi...all pale in comparison to perhaps one of the greatest controversies of our age: Apple's iOs versus Google's Android OS. Throughout history, there have been issues that have divided families, made enemies out of close friends, and even started vehement arguments that lasted until early hours. The Civil War, liberal versus conservative, paper versus plastic, Coke versus Pepsi...all pale in comparison to perhaps one of the greatest controversies of our age: Apple's iOs versus Google's Android OS.

A Familiar Ring To It...

My favorite part of the day is when a young man enters my jewelry section in search for that one particular piece that will say to his prospective significant other, “yes, I love you enough that I would sacrifice this much money for you.”  My favorite part isn’t the look of joy he experiences when I give him an amazing deal on an amazing piece.  No, my favorite part is explaining to that young man that he is participating in a mating ritual that has existed since time immemorial!

Strange romantic symbolism binds our age to ancient times.  But our ties are lost if we forget why our traditions exist.  I mean, why do we wear rings on our ring fingers?  Why do we give our spouses gold?  Why do we spend so much money on diamonds?  Why do we choose diamonds anyways?  Everyone used to know the reasons why we have these traditions.  Now we simply operate as if these traditions were rules that always existed and never evolved.  But that isn’t true.

Fun Facts:

1.      The tradition of wearing a ring on the left hand wasn’t universally accepted until after WW2.  Almost all modern cultures wear the wedding band on the left hand, except for Korea.  Koreans traditionally wear their wedding band on the right hand.

2.      In ancient medicine, the ring finger was thought to house a nerve that connected it to the heart.  It was known as the Love Nerve.  By giving your spouse a ring that was borne on the ring finger, you were symbolically giving something that would always be next to his or her heart.

3.      The diamond has been perceived to possess extraordinary warding powers since its emergence in popularity millennia ago.  A warrior was thought to be able to inherit the hardness of a diamond if he wore the diamond against his flesh in battle.  Diamonds were also thought to protect against mental maladies, contagious diseases and evil spirits.  However, the powers of a diamond were lost if it was purchased—fortunately, the powers may return if it’s given.

4.      Additionally, while the diamond solitaire is the traditional engagement ring, the symbolism of the ring is what is important and holds significance, so when deciding, make sure you find that perfect ring that makes the right statement. Feel free to stop by and ask any of our associates for ideas or examples of different types of rings.

Patience is a Virtue: Depreciation

Welcome to the age of tight budgets and shallow pockets. Since the holidays are coming up your teenager is eyeballing the newest Axe guitar on Craigslist, the pre-teen is ready for a bigger bike and your youngest is checking out the most recent DsI. Even with the holiday sales you’re starting to total anywhere from $500 to $1,000 at a retail store. How is one able to afford all of this? One option is to throw it all on a credit card and defer the inevitable. The other option is to buy used.

However, buying anything used, especially electronics, Blu Ray discs, and musical instruments, can be a daunting, and worrisome task. I’m glad to say that we make it safer, faster, and easier on your mind. At TB Goods we test all of the items that we take in as a Pawn or Buy, then we test them again when we get ready to release them back into the public. Every one of our associates has an area of expertise that ensures that we only take in the best tools, computers, jewelry and any other item that comes our way. So when someone decides they’ve played enough on their $50 amp we can take it, spiff it up and after its gone through the system to ensure that it hasn’t been stolen we can bring it out of our doors and sell it to you for $30.

Here is where it all comes together. That Les Paul Studio guitar that is going for $800 on Craigslist, we just got it into stock (and sold it on Ebay) for $499.99. That adorable pink DsI is retailing for $150, we have it for $100 and that awesome mountain bike was another $150, we have it for $69.99 plus tax.

So now that you know we offer the same items, in comparable condition, for fantastic prices (often marked with a BLUE STAR deal of an additional 30% off) I’ve been reminded to tell you about our 7-day return policy. If for some reason one of our Sales and Lending Associates missed something and an item doesn’t work properly, or isn't what you needed, you can return it and we will exchange it for one that does work properly, or you can get store credit. Try returning an item on Craig’s list, and see what happens!

All of our Layaways are currently 10% down on jewelry and 1/3 down on all other items!
We’re here to help your budget and take the worry out of shopping used items.

Shop our EBAY or come by our two locations in Alachua and Gainesville, Florida! Mention this blog post and get 10% off your purchase!

Let's (Not) Go Out To The Movies!

After a bit of a summer break where we have been trying to avoid the heat (and we've seen gold prices shooting up to record prices!) we're going to go back to talking more about consumer electronics...specifically, some of the things you may want to watch on that new television...to paraphrase a catchy old jingle, let's go out to the movies!

...or better yet, let's stay in and watch them.

Sound Off Pt II: This Time It's Personal

Continuing on from our last post about home audio and surround sound systems, we are now going to take a more personal approach to listening to your favorite music as well as looking at some other things you may be able to do.

Gold: The Ups and Downs

Taking a real quick break between posts about music equipment to talk a little bit about something that concerns a lot of our customers, and that's the gold market. Lately, it seems that we have had many customers come in confused and surprised about the value of gold and the direction it has gone and is going. While there isn't enough room on this whole blog to fully cover the gold market (and indeed, people have spent their whole lives studying and hypothesizing about it) there are some basics that may help give some understanding as to what's going on...

Sound Off!

A while back, we posted about televisions and hopefully answered some questions about getting that big just right-sized TV...but that's only half the picture...well, half the movie. It's no good having a great picture when the sound is sub-par, so let's look at getting the sound as good as that TV you got, along with some other sound and music devices.