Pawnshops are much more than what you see on reality TV or in movies. And they are much more than the merchandise they offer for sale. Each pawnshop is as individual as the people running them and the items they choose to stock. However, every pawn shop has a handful of things in common that make them special. Here are five reasons why your local pawn shop rocks:
1. Pawnshops are an ancient institution
For about as long as humans have been bartering, they’ve been using pawn shops. Pawnshops are first on record more than 3,000 years ago in Ancient China as a way to grant short-term-loans to peasants. Pawnshops and pawnbrokers had their first heyday in Ancient Greece and Rome when pawning was a way for merchants to get small shops up and running.
In fact, in the 14th and 15th centuries, short-term credit granted by pawnshops were what allowed businesses to get up and running. In the 18th century, public pawnshops even set up charitable funds in Europe to offer low-interest loans to the poor to curb debt. Pawning clothing and items was a common way for the poor of the 19th century to make it through the week.
Pawnshops also feature prominently throughout history; England’s King Edward III pawned his jewels in 1388 to help finance war against France. Queen Isabella of Spain is even theorized to have pawned her royal jewels to fund Christopher Columbus’ expeditions to the New World.
2. Santa is the patron saint of Pawnshops
Many people would be surprised to learn that the patron saint of pawnbrokers is one of the most beloved figures in the Western World: Saint Nicholas, AKA Santa Claus. In one tale about his amazing deeds, he rescued the daughters of a poor man from becoming prostitutes by giving the father three bags of gold to be a dowry for their marriages. He is said to have dropped the bags down the chimney at night so that no one could identify the benefactor.
3. Pawnshops work for the people
For the most part, pawnshops are there to serve their communities. They are beholden only to themselves and the people they serve, not some corporate interests. They are part of an ancient tradition and proudly carry on the service that has made them such an important part of a functioning society.
While people from all walks of life use pawnshops, they are especially popular and useful for those outside the financial mainstream. More than one-quarter of U.S. households are unbanked or underbanked, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Without the aid of financial institutions, many families turn to services like payday loans, and check cashing places that charge predatory feeds for everyday services that many take for granted.
Pawnshops are a helpful alternative to those outside the financial mainstream, as they offer low-risk loans that do not need a credit check. If someone in need can’t repay their pawn loan, they risk their item, but their credit will remain unharmed, unlike high interest.
Not only can a pawn loan be obtained without a credit check, but the debt is relatively low-risk. If someone can’t repay their pawnbroker, they lose the item, but there will be no black mark on their credit report. Compare that to high-interest payday loans, which can easily trap consumers in a spiraling cycle of debt.
For low-income or unbanked members of a community, their local pawnshop is a lifeline. Traditional big banks have done a poor job of meeting the needs of so many Americans. Increasingly, pawnshops are stepping in to extend a helping hand.
Also, because pawn shops are usually independent, they have the freedom to negotiate with their customers to arrive at prices and terms that work for everyone. The power to negotiate can be a valuable service for customers who take the time to educate themselves and is something that is simply unavailable to people who use mainstream financial institutions.
4. Most pawnshops are clean and friendly places
Pawnbrokers of today are savvy about how important it is to put their best foot forward. They are no longer the stereotypical places of the past and make an effort to maintain a clean, well-lit store stocked with high-quality, legitimate goods. Some even make use of social media like Twitter to post fun photos of their merchandise and other updates on the store that provide an idea of the people behind the shop. Your local pawn shop wants to welcome you and make you feel comfortable.
5. Pawnshops see value in almost everything
The most popular items to pawn are fairly constant: jewelry, electronics, tools, etc., but they are open to considering almost anything. Because a pawn shop is a reflection of the community it serves, the pawnbrokers are knowledgeable about unique items that they can buy.
The staff at your local pawn shop can offer honest advice to help you make the right decision on selling your items. Whether you have valuable jewelry or some unique item, there will be no pressure to sell, and they will be open to hearing your thoughts on your offer.
In fact, most pawn shops want to help people reclaim their merchandise. Because pawn shops are always well-stocked, it can be easy to assume that most people never manage to pay off their debt and reclaim their items. However, according to the National Pawnbrokers Association, 80% of pawned items are bought back by the original owners. This is a telling statistic that implies that pawnshop loans work and that the pawnbrokers are doing a great job of extending favorable loan terms and working with their customers to get them deals they can manage.
When you work with your local pawn shop to buy, sell, or take out a low-risk loan, you are dealing with a professional who cares about providing the best possible service at every transaction. Come visit us today to see how Central Mega Pawn rocks in its special way.
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