What Items Can I Pawn?

For many people, pawn shops are an excellent way to get fast cash. A pawn shop is a place that buys your valuables or uses them as collateral for a loan. You will usually receive a little more money for your items if you sell them. If you choose to take out a loan, you’ll have a specific amount of time (usually a few months) to pay back the loan plus interest before your items are sold to the public.

What Can I Pawn?

People interested in using a pawn shop might be wondering, “What can I pawn?” The short answer is that you can pawn almost anything of value. Exact items will vary from shop to shop, but there are certain items that are usually universally accepted. Electronics, musical instruments, and jewelry are probably the biggest moneymakers in pawn shops. Pawn shops have to take extra care to avoid buying stolen property, so make sure you include any documentation or proof of purchase you have related to your items.

Pawn shops usually will not accept items that are clearly replicas (such as fake designer purses). They also do not typically accept clothing or books, unless they are very valuable, such as a first edition or signed copy of a popular book. Items should be in full working order when you bring them to be pawned.

What Do Pawn Shops Buy?

So what do pawn shops buy? Pawn shops typically buy anything they know they will be able to sell. Jewelry is a big part of most pawn shops. Customers can pawn a valuable piece of jewelry for a lump sum of cash or a temporary loan, and the pieces can easily be resold at a fair price. Gold jewelry is much more valuable than silver jewelry. Most shops are not interested in watches unless they are extremely valuable and have proof of authenticity. Rolex, Cartier, Chanel, Breitling, and Piaget are popular brand names for watches. Most pawn shops will also accept collectible coins and currency, such as silver dollars, half dollars, American eagles, rare paper money, and more.

Pawn shops will also buy power tools that are in good condition. Popular brands include Bosch, Milwaukee, and DeWalt. Power drills and circular saws are good items to pawn. Printers and computer equipment can be pawned, but they must be extremely current. The same goes for TVs. Guns are tricky items because the shop may or may not accept them. Walking into a store with a gun (even if you plan to pawn it) is never a great idea, so call ahead before visiting. Many pawn shops will gladly accept video game consoles (such as PlayStation, Wii, and Xbox devices), as long as they are in good working order.

DVDs, video games, and cell phones are not great items to pawn because they are so common. Used DVDs and video games are sold cheaply in thrift stores and other resale shops, so pawn shops are unlikely to be interested in them. Cell phones are frequently stolen, and it is usually too risky for a pawn shop to sell them. However, there are exceptions to these rules, so check with your local pawn shop to learn exactly what items they accept.

The Best Items to Pawn

If you’re interested in pawning items, it’s a great idea to make a note of the best items to pawn and stick to that list. Gold jewelry and current electronics are always desirable at pawn shops. Even broken gold jewelry is still valuable. iPads, current flat-screen TVs, and digital cameras by Nikon and Canon are also highly desirable. Musical instruments, such as electric or acoustic guitars, keyboards, amplifiers, and student instruments, are also great items to pawn.

Choosing an Auto Title Loan with TitleMax®

When you choose TitleMax®, you can rest assured that you’re in excellent hands. We have been one of the most trusted car title loan services in the country since 1998. Ouraffordable rates and fast approval process makes us an excellent way for you to get money quickly. We understand that unexpected expenses are a part of life and that traditional loans are not an option for everyone. At TitleMax®, you can be approved in as little as 30 minutes. If you have any questions about our services, feel free to contact us online, by phone, or by email.