It has been a privilege to meet some smashing people in Manchester at the big Post Gold for Cash event held at the Britannia Hotel, where anyone could come along with their old bits of scrap gold -, have them valued in front of their eyes, and walk away with cash in hand.
The organisers put up big posters and gold balloons to guide everyone in, but I was really worried no-one would turn up - you always wonder at public events whether they'll attract crowds, or whether people would be simply too busy to come at all!
I needn't have been concerned, though, because things got really busy very quickly. What I found fascinating was that the people coming in with their bags and boxes of jewellry were from all different walks of life - you couldn't categorise them at all.
One man was an avid watch collector. He'd got his pockets stuffed with boxes and parcels of the watches he had collected and traded over the years. He really knew his stuff and was anxious to know how much his things were worth, now that the value of gold has gone up to an all time high. Cannily, he knew exactly which pieces he wanted to cash, and which he would keep - but he went away very satisfied, with a huge wad of cash in hand.
There were other groups of ladies, who'd come together with trinkets from the bottom of their jewellery boxes. Another very well-to-do lady came with her daughter's engagement ring - the remnant of a romance that had gone wrong! She was thrilled with her valuation, took the cash for gold and gave me a wry smile which suggested that it might be "closure" on a bad relationship with the added value of a financial bonus to help with the Christmas shopping!
Post Gold for Cash is, of course, primarily a postal service. But the success of their event in Manchester means they may well organise some more in other major towns and cities in the UK. So look out for me.
I'd love to meet you!
Wednesday 22 December 2010
Monday 20 December 2010
Take Every Golden Opportunity
I've never been a mystery shopper before - but I thought it would be wise to check out exactly what the Post Gold for Cash experience is really like, before I got involved with them. There have been so many cash-for-gold companies popping up lately that I wanted to be involved only with the most reputable and one which would truly give the best service to the public.
So, totally unbeknownst to the Post Gold for Cash people, I rang them up and asked for a bag to be sent to me, courtesy of a fictitious name (Rachel) and my neighbour's address. The envelope arrived the next day. Meanwhile, I rummaged around in my jewellery drawer. After all my years in television, I have amassed tons of jewellery bits and pieces. Of course most of it is not gold at all - much of it is costume jewellery. But in amongst all the chokers, bracelets, earrings and necklaces were some gold chains, silver brooches and lots and lots of single gold - even diamond earrings which had lost their twin. So I scooped them all up and sent them off in the registered envelope - took them to the post office, and waited to see how long it would be before someone rang.
I didn't wait long. Honestly - within 24 hours - a nice young man phoned me, asking for Rachel. I nearly forgot that was my pseudonym! Once I'd realised I was indeed Rachel and not Anne, I chatted to him about my treasure. It turned out that some of the gold chains were not in fact gold (I had suspected as much), but that other pieces were worth much more than I thought. I'd almost thrown them away - because, after all, what's the point of one earring, no matter how pretty? But nowadays, with gold prices at an all time high (and possibly rising), they indeed had considerable value just as melted down gold. I was offered nearly £300. But he also stressed that, if I didn't want to accept, then that was ok, too, and they would simply send my jewellery back.
Just that morning, the dishwasher had died. It seemed like it was meant to be - so I accepted his offer and now I can look upon my new dishwasher as a free gift.
It's that easy. You don't have to accept. You can ask for your stuff back, and even shop around, trying out other companies. I've done that, too. But Post Gold for Cash is fast gaining a reputation for being the best of the bunch, which is good to know. Let me know how you've fared. I do hope you're as happy as I have been!
So, totally unbeknownst to the Post Gold for Cash people, I rang them up and asked for a bag to be sent to me, courtesy of a fictitious name (Rachel) and my neighbour's address. The envelope arrived the next day. Meanwhile, I rummaged around in my jewellery drawer. After all my years in television, I have amassed tons of jewellery bits and pieces. Of course most of it is not gold at all - much of it is costume jewellery. But in amongst all the chokers, bracelets, earrings and necklaces were some gold chains, silver brooches and lots and lots of single gold - even diamond earrings which had lost their twin. So I scooped them all up and sent them off in the registered envelope - took them to the post office, and waited to see how long it would be before someone rang.
I didn't wait long. Honestly - within 24 hours - a nice young man phoned me, asking for Rachel. I nearly forgot that was my pseudonym! Once I'd realised I was indeed Rachel and not Anne, I chatted to him about my treasure. It turned out that some of the gold chains were not in fact gold (I had suspected as much), but that other pieces were worth much more than I thought. I'd almost thrown them away - because, after all, what's the point of one earring, no matter how pretty? But nowadays, with gold prices at an all time high (and possibly rising), they indeed had considerable value just as melted down gold. I was offered nearly £300. But he also stressed that, if I didn't want to accept, then that was ok, too, and they would simply send my jewellery back.
Just that morning, the dishwasher had died. It seemed like it was meant to be - so I accepted his offer and now I can look upon my new dishwasher as a free gift.
It's that easy. You don't have to accept. You can ask for your stuff back, and even shop around, trying out other companies. I've done that, too. But Post Gold for Cash is fast gaining a reputation for being the best of the bunch, which is good to know. Let me know how you've fared. I do hope you're as happy as I have been!
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