What Do Pawn Stores Pay the Most for?

Did you know that about 22% of American adults are underbanked or unbanked? Yes, you heard that right! That's about 63 million Americans with no access to financial institutions, limiting their chances of getting loans from these institutions. Luckily, pawn shops come in to improve the situation for all of these people when they need cash quickly.

A pawn shop buys or accepts any valuable item in exchange for a collateral loan. But what items do they take, and what do pawn stores pay the most for? Stick with me as we explore the answers to these questions and more!

What is a pawn shop?

A pawn shop is a business that allows you to borrow money against the value of an item you own. This means you receive cash (as a loan) while leaving your valuable item with the pawn store. You can then repay the loan with interest, or forfeit your item if you can't repay it. Pawn Shops also buy and sell items, meaning you can get quick cash for your old possessions.

Pawn broking traces its origin back to 5th Century China, and was also used in Ancient Rome and Greece. Thousands of years down the line, the practice is still relevant, with more than 9,200 pawn shops in the United States, attracting approximately 30 million customers yearly!

Contrary to what some people believe, pawn shops are very legitimate businesses. Pawnbrokers must follow all governmental regulations applicable to other financial institutions, including the Patriot Act and Truth-in-Lending Act. This means that they are trustworthy and dependable (just like any other stores you frequent)!

Pawning vs. selling: what's the difference?

Most individuals confuse pawning with selling, but the two terms mean different things. Let's see how they differ:

Pawning

The main difference between pawning and selling is that if you utilize pawning, you can get your item back! If you choose to pawn an item, the pawnbroker will give you cash based on your item's value, and you'll have a set time to pay the money back, plus interest. The pawnbroker may sell your item to recover their money if you can't repay the loan within the defined time frame. But if you do pay the loan back, you get your items back right away!

And the best thing about pawning an item is that it's relatively quick and easy. Plus, you don't have to worry about bargaining with buyers online.

Selling

You can also sell your items to a pawn shop by bringing them in and asking for a cash offer. You'll negotiate an agreement with the pawnbroker for how much they'll pay for your items. Once you sell your items, you and the pawnbroker will have no further obligation. You can happily carry on with your day (with more cash in your pocket, and less clutter in your house)!

Now that we know the difference, what should you do?

Should I sell or pawn?

If you no longer need the item, selling it is the best way to go! However, if you value the item and want to remain its owner, pawning it for quick cash is the best option. A pawn shop is likely to pay more for an item if you are selling it as compared to pawning it.

What percentage of an item's value do pawn shops pay?

Most of these shops will pay around 25-60% of the value of your item.

Note: If you choose to pawn your stuff, you may be interested to know what things pawn shops always buy and what items the pawn stores pay the most for, right?

If that's so, the next part is for you. We'll discuss things pawn shops always buy and mention the high-demand pawn items.

What do pawn shops take?

If you are interested in pawning your stuff, one of the common questions that will come up is, "what do pawn shops accept?" The short answer to this question is that pawn stores accept almost everything.

You can pawn engine parts, books, jewelry, stamps, electronics, furniture, vintage magazines, etc. However, pawn shops are more interested in buying items with good resale value.

Here are items you can pawn for quick cash:

ü  Jewelry and precious metals: These are the most common items in pawn shops and can fetch you $1000 or more.

ü  Electronics and smart devices: Pawn shops will buy new and used electronics like smart speakers, Air Pods, gaming laptops, consoles, etc.

ü  Art pieces, old coins, rare collectibles, and musical instruments: Used good-quality collectibles, art pieces, musical instruments, or old coils can be pawned for a good amount of money. The pawn amount will depend on the rarity and value of the item.

ü  Guns and firearms: Yes, you can pawn your firearms and guns, provided they are registered in your name. You can receive as much as $1000 for a gun if they are in good condition.

ü  Designer pieces: A designer watch, handbag, purse, or sneakers can fetch you a good amount of money (upwards of $1000).

ü  Vehicles: You can cash in your used car or pickup for more than $1000, based on its condition.

ü  Appliances, equipment, and tools: Used kitchen, garden, and construction equipment and tools can help you get quick cash. And while most of these tools will fetch little money, some high-end equipment like nail guns, sanders, power saws, and air compressors can reach up to $500.

What do pawn shops pay the most for?

Pawn stores usually pay the most for jewelry like diamonds and gold, timepieces, coins, vintage sneakers, designer purses, and handbags. However, every pawn shop can buy high-ticket items, including vehicles, real estate, and jewelry.

What are the best things to sell at pawn shops?

If you have some extra belongings in the house, you can sell them and get some cash. The amount of money you get from the pawn dealer can vary based on the item's condition, popularity, and the place you are. For the best offer, you should visit several local pawn shops.

Here are the best things to pawn and the amount of money you can get:

What to pawn for $50

Here are items to pawn for $50:

·  Musical instruments

·  Kitchen Appliances

·  Tech devices

·  Designer accessories like belts and sunglasses

·  Garden tools

Note: You'll likely earn more cash from the items if they are clean and in excellent condition.

What to pawn for $100

Need $100 quick cash? Here are items you can pawn:

·  Smart appliances

·  Jewelry with precious gemstones, metals, and scrap metal from old jewelry

·  Registered firearms

·  Air-conditioning units

·  Movie projectors

·  Game Systems

·  Smaller TV’s

·  Jewelry

·  iPads

·  Apple Watches

·  Lithium Tools

Note: Again, you are likely to earn more money from items in excellent condition. For instance, you may get more cash for newer Apple Watches or larger 4k TV.

What to pawn for $200

Here are items you can pawn for $200:

·  Mountain bikes

·  Beach cruisers

·  Golf clubs

·  Nintendo Switch

·  Sports bike

What to pawn for $300

You can earn good money by pawning older tech devices and older gadgets that are in good condition.

Here are items you can pawn for $300:

·  Smartphones in better condition

·  Late-model Apple devices

·  Good quality latest laptops

·  Jewelry with precious metals (like Rolex, Chopard, and Breitling)

·  Gold Chain

·  Fire Arms

·  Large Smart TVs

·  PS5

·  Xbox (newer models)

·  Bullion

·  New model iPads

·  MacBooks

·  Gaming Computers

·  Drones

What to pawn for $500

Pawning items in perfect condition can get you as much as $500. These items include:

·  

·  Jewelry

·  Bullion

·  Diamonds

·  Gold Coins

·  Firearms

·  Drones

·  Designer Watches

·  Professional Cameras

Note: Pawn dealers will also pay $500 or more for designer pieces and jewelry. The price will also range depending on the precious metals used, brand, condition, and overall value. For instance, you can cash-sell Tiffany jewelry to pawn stores for $500

What can pawn for $1000

Finding the best things to pawn for $1000 is tricky, mainly because the loan is much lower than the collateral value.

However, you can expect to get $1000 if you pawn the following items:

·  Diamond rings – rings can fetch you even more cash, depending on their size and 

current market value

·  Riding lawnmowers

·  Current tech products like gaming laptops and perfect-quality MacBook

·  High-end jewelry, such as diamond bracelets, necklaces, and brooches

·  High-end watches from Chopard, Rolex, Panerais, etc.

·  High-quality and in-demand firearms and guns registered in your name

·  Registered motorcycles, old cars, or trucks registered in your name

·  Bullion

·  Gold and Silver coins

How do I get the best pawn shops near me?

Most large cities have several pawn shops, so finding one isn't hard! Walking into a pawn shop and getting money is also not rocket science, especially if you have something valuable. However, getting the right pawn shop for you and your item can feel like a daunting task.. It's possible to get ripped off, especially if the pawn dealer notices you need the money. But, if you follow these tips, the experience will be wonderful!

Here are tips to keep in mind when pawning:

1. Don't do business if you are uncomfortable

2. Don't be afraid to ask questions

3. Ask to see the store’s  pawning license

4. Do your research to find out how much your item is worth

5. Be ready to negotiate

6. Visit several pawn shops before pawning your products

7. Bundle several products if you want a certain amount of money but can’t get it with just one item.

8. Check for interest rates and other fees

These few ideas will help you get the highest possible price and know what to do next time you pawn your collectibles.

The bottom line

Today, approximately 61% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. It's not always possible to cover all expenses until the next paycheck arrives. In uncertain times – like the current economic uncertainty – you can benefit from quick extra cash to keep the bills from piling up.

And even if you aren't straining financially, something may demand that you get some quick cash. There are innumerable ways to make cash fast, with pawning items being one of the best options you have. This article helps you discover the things that pawn shops pay for most.