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Pawn Shops Vs. eBay: The Top 3 Reasons a Pawn Shop is Better

Pawn Shops Vs. eBay: The Top 3 Reasons a Pawn Shop is Better

Since it first hit the internet in 1995 as “auction web,” eBay has grown to become one of the web’s most prominent websites. Each day, more than two billion transactions take place on the site. That is why, all these years later, it is understandable that when most people want to sell something from their home’s safety and comfort, or when they want to find a good deal, they think of eBay.

After all, in addition to the name recognition, eBay promises safe transactions and fair deals. But there are better alternatives out there that will help buyers and shoppers alike get great deals and get more for their money: their local pawn shop. Pawnshops exist in nearly every community worldwide and have been helping their neighbors buy and sell goods and obtain short-term credit for centuries.

Keep reading to find out more about why your local pawn shop is probably the better option for you, regardless of if you are buying or selling.

First: What you should know about pawn shops

If you have never worked with your local pawn shop, you might have outdated perceptions of pawnbrokers and what they do. Despite common depictions in film and television of pawnshops and pawnbrokers, most characterizations are inaccurate. Part of this inaccuracy may be because there are over 11,000 pawn shops across the country, serving over 30 million people annually. There is just no way to build a fair description of such a thriving industry. The truth is that your local pawn shop is likely a bright, clean space and staffed by friendly and helpful people.

Pawnshops work by selling used goods at reasonable prices and buying and pawning items of value from community members. When you bring an item to your local pawnbroker, you have two options: selling or pawning.

When you pawn, you are basically taking out a collateral loan against the value of your item. Your pawnbroker appraises your item and gives you a percentage of its worth in a loan. When you repay your loan, your item will be returned to you, and you can repeat the process if necessary. On the off chance that you do not repay your loan, your pawnshop keeps your item and resells it to recoup the loss. Your credit is not affected, and there are no further obligations.

Pawn loans are often a lifeline for the millions of traditionally unbanked Americans and allow them access to the cash they need without resorting to payday advance stores or bank loans, both of which are financially treacherous.

Meanwhile, when all you want to do is sell an item quickly, pawn shops offer huge convenience and safety. Unlike selling online, where you can encounter increasingly creative scammers, your pawn shop is a secure place to do fair business. No matter if you want to sell to clear out clutter or save for an upgrade, you can sell pretty much anything to your local pawnbroker.

Top three reason why buying is better at a pawnshop

  1. You can see your items before you buy – when you buy from a pawn shop like Azusa Pawn, you are welcome to examine any merchandise before you buy. When you buy on eBay, you are dependent on the quality of photos and the seller’s description.
  2. No shipping or handling fees – the days of free shipping on eBay are long gone. Many sellers these days must charge for shipping and handling, and in some cases, insurance. So, even if you manage to score a good deal on an item, you may wind up paying extra to cover shipping.
  3. No waiting – when you buy from a pawn shop, you get instant gratification. On eBay, sellers have up to a week in some cases to ship their item once you’ve paid, and then you must wait for it to arrive. When you buy from Azusa Pawn, you walk out with your item in minutes.
  4. Top three reasons why selling is better at a pawnshop

    1. You will not be slammed with fees at your local pawn shop! It is no secret anymore that eBay tends to be a more favorable place for buyers and not sellers. Sellers face lots of fees on everything from the final price of their sold item to including too many photos. In fact, in some circles, especially for those dealing with collectibles like baseball cards, the site is referred to as “fee-bay.”
    2. No wait – when you list an item on eBay, you are in for a long wait every step of the way. You must wait for your auction to end, then wait for the seller to complete payment, then wait for the item to be marked as received, and then wait even longer to get your money digitally transferred. Not to mention, you have yet another wait in store if you want to have cash in hand for your item, since you will need to transfer your money to your bank account, then go to your bank or an ATM to withdraw your cash. When you sell to a pawn shop, the entire transaction can take mere minutes. You will leave with money in hand without all the trouble of shipping and waiting.
    3. Much easier – when you sell on eBay, you have many hoops to jump through. After carefully researching your item’s value or similar items on the site, you will need to take, edit, and upload photos and then write a detailed description. And that’s just to get your item listed! Once it is active, you must manage your listing, answer questions, then finally pack and ship your item. Once it is out of your hands, it is up to the buyer to be honest and report your item as received and in good condition. For some, this can be a fun and rewarding experience, but when you want to sell your item quickly and get cash in hand in minutes, a pawn shop is a superior choice.
    4. At Azusa Pawn, we pride ourselves on our professional, customer-oriented operations. Pawnshops have been around for much longer than eBay, and we are proud to continue the tradition of helping our communities. Visit us online or in-person today to experience the difference!

Do Pawn Shops Sell Stuff Online?

Do Pawn Shops Sell Stuff Online?

Pawn shops are one of the most often misunderstood businesses today. Many people still base their knowledge of pawn shops on what they’ve seen in old movies or TV shows, which usually depict pawn shops and pawnbrokers as unreliable or even dangerous. Or everything they know about pawn shops comes from a popular modern television show that may not be entirely accurate about what it is actually like to work in or with a pawn shop. As a result, many are surprised to learn that not only are most pawn shops modern, clean, and safe places to do business but that they are also usually as technologically-savvy as any other modern business.

In addition to being active on the most popular social media platforms, many pawn shops throughout the country today also maintain an online shop. An online shop allows customers to take advantage of a pawn shop’s great prices without having to leave the safety and comfort of their homes. Also, it opens up more possibilities for people who would otherwise be unable to visit the store due to geography.

So, if you were wondering if pawn shops sell stuff online, the answer is a resounding yes!”

However, while the internet makes more pawn shops available to more customers than ever before, you should still be very discerning when it comes to choosing the right pawn shop for you. Keep reading to find out more about what it is like to shop online at a pawn shop and how to find the right pawn shop for you online.

Shopping at a pawn shop online

Shopping at a pawn shop online is much like other forms of online shopping. You find something that you want, add it to your cart, and then check out. But shopping online at a pawn shop has a few helpful features that you will not find anywhere else. For one, the prices you see online are the same great prices that you would encounter in-store. In some cases, a pawn shop discounts online prices even further. In this way, you have an added sense of security knowing that you are getting a fair deal.

Also, when you buy a used item from a pawn shop, you are helping the environment by giving an item a second life.

How to find the right online pawn shop for you

Finding the right online pawn shop for you is a lot like finding the right in-person pawn shop in your community. It would be best if you considered things like location and the shop’s online reputation. For example, look up recent reviews of the shop on sites like Google Reviews or Yelp. Notice a pattern in customer’s experiences, positive or negative. That can be a good indicator of how seriously the shop takes customer service and what kind of service you will get from them.

Here are some additional tips on finding the right online pawn shop for your interests and needs.

Keep in mind that every pawnshop is as unique as the community it serves. This means that you should do some careful consideration for online shoppers when you are shopping for a particular item. For example, pawn shops located in cities with a thriving music scene will likely have lots of musical instruments and accessories to choose from. Meanwhile, a pawn shop located in a farming community will have lots of farming-related equipment for sale. So, if you are looking to buy your next electric guitar at a great price, you would be better off looking at the online stores of pawn shops in or nearby cities like Los Angeles or Nashville.

Also, do some research on how much you can expect to pay for a particular item. Most pawn shops, such as Central Mega Pawn, do their best to ensure that you are getting an incredible price, but smart shoppers would do well to do some price-checking independently. Look up recent sales on auction sites or other sales sites or apps to ensure you are getting a good deal.

If you are able to visit your pawn shop in person, you may be able to save money on shipping by scheduling in-person pick-up. This is one way to not only save money but also to keep yourself and your community safe.

Why is Central Mega Pawn the right online pawn shop for you?

We know that when it comes to shopping online, you have a ton of choices out there. That is why at Central Mega Pawn, we take customer service seriously. As you can clearly see from our online reviews, we aim to go above and beyond customer expectations with every transaction.

Among the many other things that make Central Mega Pawn stand out from the crowd is the fact that we are only one of a handful of pawn shops nationwide to have a full-time jeweler on staff. For you, this means that when you buy any type of jewelry, especially gold jewelry, online, you are getting an item that was authenticated, appraised, and cared for by a professional.

We are always looking for ways to keep ourselves, our employees, and our community safe, which is why we are proud to offer free in-store pick up for items purchased in our online store.

Not to mention, many items in our online shop feature a “negotiate” button, which allows you to make an offer on an item. We will review it and get back to you promptly, which can get you an incredible deal! Some items listed are only available in our online store, which allows you access to excellent goods that you won’t find anywhere else. Lastly, we have a generous return policy on the off chance that you are dissatisfied with your item.

As you can see, pawn shops do indeed sell stuff online. Even if you live in or around the Inland Empire and can visit us in person, take a look at our online store for even more incredible deals!