Turning Treasures in Spain: How I Explored the Country and Discovered the Hidden Value of Things with Cash Converters

Touching down at Madrid-Barajas Airport felt like arriving in a city made of both gold and memory. I wandered through streets steeped in centuries of history, under balconies draped with flowers and voices. I had my camera, a pair of reliable shoes, and enough euros to get by for a few days. But while walking past a shop window on Calle de Alcalá, I saw something unexpected: a refurbished iPhone displayed beside a polished gold ring and a TV set that looked brand new. Above the display, the name Cash Converters caught my eye.

That’s when something clicked. I had my old tablet in my bag, barely usable anymore, just taking up space. Could it be worth something here in Spain? A few minutes later, I stepped inside.

A Shop That Felt Like a Marketplace of Possibility

The atmosphere was anything but what I imagined. Cash Converters didn’t feel like a pawn shop—it felt like a digital-age marketplace, where people bought and sold with intention, clarity, and even a sense of excitement. The lighting was bright, the layout clean and modern. Customers browsed with curiosity and purpose. One man was testing out a refurbished iPhone, checking its condition with the attention of someone shopping in a designer boutique. Another was holding a DJ controller, clearly thrilled—like he’d just found the missing piece to his home studio.

The variety surprised me. I saw rows of laptops, smartwatches, gaming consoles, and even sustainable jewelry on display. Everything was tagged, priced fairly, and verified. It wasn’t a place for leftovers—it was a place for second chances, where each item had a future waiting to be unlocked.

Behind the counter, a staff member smiled as I pulled out my old tablet—dusty, slightly scratched, but still working. It took only a few questions and a quick inspection before she offered me cash on the spot. No pressure. No pushback. Just a clear, fair deal. That’s how I had my first real encounter with Cash Converters: I sold a device I didn’t need anymore and walked out with enough to pay for dinner, drinks, and a flamenco show that night.

I Started Looking at My Backpack Differently

In Seville, under the heat of the Andalusian sun, I opened my backpack and realized it was carrying more than I thought. My old GoPro that hadn’t been used in months. A smartwatch I stopped wearing. Headphones with one side broken, but still valuable. The Cash Converters in the city center was easy to find, and once again, I was met with professionalism and clarity.

I sold the GoPro, the smartwatch, and even an old fitness tracker I’d packed out of habit. This wasn’t just travel anymore—it was resourceful exploration. I was learning how to move lighter and smarter. Cash Converters was my partner in that journey.

Buying Sustainably While Living Fully

In Granada, I needed a phone upgrade. My current model couldn’t handle the apps I was using for photography and mapping. I found a refurbished iPhone at Cash Converters for half the price of retail and in excellent condition. It was unlocked, cleaned, tested, and guaranteed.

Later, I picked up a lightweight laptop, perfect for editing my travel footage and writing. While browsing, I also saw Thermomix appliances, televisions, and even sustainable jewelry—rings and necklaces made from repurposed metals and gems. Not only did it feel good to shop smarter, it also made me feel more connected to the idea of mindful consumption. Buying second-hand was no longer about compromise; it was about intention.

Valencia: From Selling Tech to Buying Timepieces

Walking through Valencia’s art nouveau Central Market, I noticed a local wearing a stunning vintage watch. We struck up a conversation, and I asked where he found it. “Cash Converters,” he said with a smile. That same afternoon, I visited the store on Carrer de Xàtiva and found a small collection of both sustainable jewelry and classic watches that would have cost four times more in a boutique.

I purchased a watch—polished, authentic, and complete with documentation. It felt personal, like buying a story rather than just an object.

At the same store, someone next to me was selling a drone, another was parting with DJ equipment, and someone else was checking in a gaming console. This wasn’t just buying and selling. It was a circular economy at full strength, moving real things between real people, with value being passed from one hand to the next.

Releasing What No Longer Served Me

By the time I reached Zaragoza, I had a new perspective. I had grown attached to my photography gear, but I realized I didn’t need all of it. I was using a mirrorless camera now, and my DSLR sat unused. The Cash Converters near Plaza del Pilar evaluated my camera, offered a price I was happy with, and even asked if I wanted to bring in photography accessories I might no longer need.

I returned the next day with lenses, cables, and a portable light. Each item found a new future, and I walked out with both lighter luggage and a little more travel budget.

Selling Tools, Gaining Momentum

While staying in a shared Airbnb in Málaga, one of the hosts mentioned he sold tools and sports gear regularly at Cash Converters. I hadn’t realized the range extended that far. I asked about sound equipment, and sure enough, he had recently sold a soundboard there. Inspired, I took a look at my own gear—two Bluetooth speakers and a pair of wireless microphones I’d packed for a project that never materialized.

Once again, Cash Converters came through. They bought all of it, and I ended up using the cash to take a sailing course along the Costa del Sol—something I’d always wanted to do but hadn’t budgeted for.

When I Needed Something, I Checked Cash Converters First

Every time I moved cities, I checked for the local Cash Converters. Not just for selling, but for buying. I found a flat-screen TV for a temporary rental in Barcelona, which I later resold. I picked up a tablet in Bilbao when my laptop battery gave out unexpectedly. I found gaming accessories in Toledo as a gift for a friend I was visiting.

The inventory was never the same twice, and that made the experience even more exciting. Whether it was a Thermomix for a short-stay kitchen or a computer accessory I suddenly needed for a remote interview, I knew where to go.

Jewelry, Gold, and the Value Hidden in My Travel Bag

In Pamplona, during the San Fermín festival, I remembered the small gold pendant I had packed—something I hadn’t worn in years. I walked into Cash Converters, curious about their gold buying program. They offered an honest evaluation, checked the weight and quality, and gave me options: sell outright or explore recoverable sale.

I took the instant payment, bought a ticket to a Basque cooking class, and later found another sustainable bracelet at the same store. The exchange felt elegant, natural, and smart.

Understanding Recoverable Sales

In Santander, a storm forced me to change travel plans. I needed cash quickly but didn’t want to part with my smartwatch permanently. A staff member at Cash Converters explained recoverable sales—a feature where I could sell an item temporarily with the option to buy it back later.

I filled out an online appointment, went to the store, and finalized the deal. The process was quick and secure. A few weeks later, I returned and renewed online, keeping my smartwatch in the loop. It was flexible and allowed me to stay in control of my belongings and my money.

What I Bought and Sold Over 30 Days

• Bought: Refurbished iPhone, laptop, tablet, watch, television, bracelet, Thermomix
• Sold: Old tablet, GoPro, smartwatch, headphones, camera, photography accessories, gold pendant, sound equipment
• Recovered: Smartwatch through recoverable sale
• Used Services: In-store purchasing, online appointment booking, recoverable sale renewal

Reading the Stories of Others

The Cash Converters blog became a regular read during my train rides between cities. I learned how others were using the platform to furnish homes, fund new projects, and even start small businesses. One story was about a woman in Madrid who used the system to upgrade her tech slowly over time. Another was about a musician in Córdoba who built an entire home studio using second-hand gear.

The blog didn’t just inform—it inspired. I kept returning not just to sell or buy, but to discover new ways to think about value, material, and movement.

Reimagining Ownership in Spain, One Transaction at a Time

By the end of my travels across Spain, the way I saw “stuff” had changed completely. I wasn’t collecting souvenirs—I was circulating value. I wasn’t hoarding gear—I was enabling new stories. Cash Converters was the thread that ran through it all: from city to city, idea to idea, object to object.

Spain gave me history, language, flavor, and freedom. Cash Converters gave me the flexibility to move through all of it—with more creativity, more choice, and more connection to the real worth of what I carried with me.