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Other Immediate Options: Unique Ways for Fast Cash

Discover unique ways to get cash immediately. From selling cars to day labor, pawn loans to coin exchanges - find the fastest path to money in hand today.

Find Your OptionBack to Income Guide
Updated August 17, 2025

Other Immediate Options: Unique Ways for Fast Cash

By Randy Salars

*(excluding plasma/blood donation, rentals, event staffing, and AI-assisted gigs)*

TL;DR

Fastest paths to money-in-hand today: sell a car to a national buyer (same-day bank draft), trade games/electronics for cash, cash out phones at a kiosk, turn coins into a cash voucher, take a same-day-pay day-labor shift, or get paid at pickup for a junk car. Pawn loans are instant but costly—compare terms first.

When you need cash immediately and traditional options aren't available, these unique methods can provide same-day or next-day access to money. From selling assets to taking day labor shifts, discover the fastest ways to get money in hand today.

Same Day Cash

Same-Day Cash (No Appointment Usually Needed)

Get cash immediately with these walk-in options

Sell a Car (Bank Draft Today)

CarMax vehicle buyback

CarMax issues real offers good for 7 days; once your car is verified, you "leave with payment in hand" (a bank draft) the same day.

Best For: Working vehicles
Speed: Same day
Note: Some banks place holds on drafts

Old Phones → Instant Cash

ecoATM phone buyback kiosks

ecoATM kiosks evaluate your device and pay cash on the spot at 6,500+ locations. Bring a charged phone and a government ID.

Best For: Old phones, tablets
Speed: 10 minutes
Locations: 6,500+ kiosks

Coins → Cash Voucher

Coinstar coin counting kiosks

Coinstar counts your change in minutes. Cash vouchers have a fee up to 12.9% + $0.99; choose select eGift cards for 0% fee.

Best For: Loose change
Speed: 5 minutes
Fee: 12.9% + $0.99 (cash)

Trade Games & Electronics

GameStop trade-in program

GameStop buys games, consoles, and more for cash or store credit; trade credit promos commonly pay ~20% more than cash.

Best For: Games, consoles
Speed: Same day
Bonus: 20% more for store credit

Used Media Shops

Amoeba Music & media buyback

Independent chains (e.g., Amoeba Music) buy on the spot for cash or store credit—a fast walk-in option for music, movies, or collectibles.

Best For: Records, CDs, DVDs
Speed: Same day
Type: Cash or store credit

Books, Games & Collectibles

2nd & Charles buyback store

2nd & Charles buys a wide range of items and offers cash or store credit (credit usually higher). Policies vary by store.

Best For: Books, collectibles
Speed: Same day
Credit: Usually higher than cash
Day Labor

Work Today, (Often) Get Paid Today

Day-labor apps and agencies with same-day or quick pay options

PeopleReady / JobStack

Day labor staffing agency

Widely available "quick pay" or same-day pay options via a pay card in many markets. Work today, get paid today.

• Payment: Same-day pay via pay card
• Availability: Many markets nationwide
• Work Types: General labor, warehouse, events
• Requirements: 18+, valid ID, work authorization

Shiftsmart

Flexible shift work platform

Instant Pay feature enables payout in ~30 minutes after eligible shifts (fee applies). Quick access to earnings.

• Payment: ~30 minutes after shift
• Fee: Applies for instant pay
• Work Types: Retail, events, surveys
• Requirements: 18+, smartphone, background check

Note: We're intentionally skipping event-staffing shifts as they're covered elsewhere. These options focus on general day labor and quick pay opportunities.

Junk Cars

Junk Car = Cash at Pickup

If you've got a non-runner or spare vehicle, nationwide buyers will pay at pickup

Peddle

Junk car buyer

"Paid on the spot at pickup." Get an instant quote online and receive payment when your car is picked up.

• Payment: On the spot at pickup
• Process: Online quote → schedule pickup → get paid
• Requirements: Car title, valid ID
• Vehicle Types: Running or non-running

Wheelzy

Junk car buyer

Payment on the spot when your car is picked up. Another reliable option for junk car sales.

• Payment: On the spot at pickup
• Process: Get quote → schedule pickup → cash payment
• Requirements: Car title, valid ID
• Coverage: Nationwide service
Pawn Options

Instant Money with Caveats

Pawn loans and buyouts - fast cash but high costs

Pawn Loan or Pawn Buyout

Pawnshops can hand you cash immediately against collateral or by buying the item outright. But costs are high: reported pawn APRs often range 12%–240%+ depending on state fees and add-ons.

Pawn Loan

• Process: Leave item as collateral
• Payment: Cash immediately
• Repayment: Pay back + interest to reclaim item
• Risk: Lose item if you can't repay

Pawn Buyout

• Process: Sell item outright
• Payment: Cash immediately
• No Repayment: Item is sold permanently
• Value: Usually 25-60% of retail value

Warning: Regulators frequently scrutinize disclosures; read the ticket and ask for the APR before you sign. Costs can add up quickly.

Quick Wins

"Money You're Owed Back" (Quick Wins)

Reclaim money you've already spent

Auto Parts Core Refunds

If you've got an old battery/alternator from a past repair, bring the core and receipt back to major chains (e.g., AutoZone) for a core deposit refund at the counter.

What to Bring:

• Old auto parts (battery, alternator, etc.)
• Original receipt
• Valid ID
Local Note

Phoenix / Arizona Note on Scrap Metal

Important local regulations to know

Expect Delayed Payment

Arizona law—and Phoenix city code—generally prohibits on-site cash payment for many scrap-metal transactions; dealers must mail a check/money order (with additional hold and registration rules in some cases).

This makes scrapping a poor same-day cash option locally. If you need immediate cash, focus on the other options listed above.

Action Plan

48-Hour Action Plan

Step-by-step timeline to maximize your cash today

Hour 0–2 (Prep)

• Gather: old phones, games/consoles, coins, books/media
• Collect: spare car title/keys (if applicable)
• Find: any auto part cores with receipts
• Prepare: wipe devices / remove SIMs
• Bring: government ID for kiosks and trades

Hour 3–6 (Quotes)

• Get firm online offer for your car (CarMax)
• Check ecoATM's estimator; find nearby kiosks
• Call local 2nd & Charles/record shop for buy lists
• Verify they're paying cash today
• Research day labor options in your area

Hour 7–12 (Execute)

• Drive to highest-value stops first
• Car sale → phone kiosk → trade-ins
• Pour coins at Coinstar
• Choose cash voucher for immediate cash
• Or eGift to avoid fees

Day 2 (Optional Add-ons)

• Book same-day-pay day-labor shift
• PeopleReady/Shiftsmart options
• Stack another payout
• Consider pawn options if needed
• Plan for next week's income
Pro Tips

Pro Tips to Maximize Take-Home

Strategies to get the most cash for your items and time

💵

Ask "Cash vs. Credit"

Store credit promos (GameStop, 2nd & Charles) often beat cash, but cash is immediate and universal.

📦

Bring Multiple Items

Bundling improves your odds of a better offer with media shops and coin dealers.

⏰

Verify Payment Timing

Bank drafts (car sales) and instant-pay features are fast, but your bank's hold policy can affect access.

🏪

Compare Pawn Terms

If you must pawn, shop rates/fees and ask for the APR; redemption costs add up quickly.

📱

Use Apps for Quotes

Get online quotes before visiting stores to save time and know what to expect.

🎯

Prioritize by Value

Start with highest-value items first to maximize your cash flow for the day.

Ready to Get Cash Today?

From selling cars to day labor, these options can put money in your hand today. Start with what you have and build from there.

Get Car QuoteFind ecoATMFind Day LaborBack to Income Guide

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