Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a pawn?
A pawn is a loan made with personal items (jewelry, tv, tools, etc.) held 60 days as security to guarantee a loan. Pawn loans do not count against your credit score.
Are pawn rates excessive?
No. A $100 pawn costs $20 for 30 days. Oversights like a bounced $100 check or the reconnection fee for delinquent utilities often run $35 or more.
Why would someone go to a pawnbroker?
Pawnbrokers offer the consumer a quick, convenient and confidential way to obtain money by pawning or selling their non-essential valuables in the advent of an emergency.
How do you determine the value of the item?
Pawn shops base the value of items on the estimated appraised value, its current condition and the ability to re-sell the items. All items pawn shops buy or pawn are tested to ensure they are genuine and work properly.
How can I be sure the merchandise I purchase at a pawn store isn’t stolen?
Less than one tenth of one percent of all pawned merchandise is identified as stolen goods. Customers must provide positive photo identification. Pawnbrokers must provide a complete description of the merchandise to law enforcement daily, greatly reducing the likelihood that a thief would take stolen merchandise to a pawn store.
Do most pawn customers lose their merchandise?
On average, about 80% of all pawn loans are repaid. Repeat customers make up a majority of the business, similar to other retail establishments. Pawnbrokers establish relationships with their customers because they often borrow against the same items repeatedly.