Post Gold for Cash Event, Manchester

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!