Published Wednesday, May 15th, 2024
Both pawning and selling items at a pawn shop are fast and effective ways to get fast cash, but how do you know which option is best for you? Deciding between these two options depends on your specific needs. Pawn shops specialize in this very thing!
Pawning vs. Selling – Is One Better Than the Other?
The short answer, with pawning versus selling, is no! Both pawning and selling items will immediately provide you with the cash you need to meet your needs. Before you decide, you should consider whether you want your item back after your transaction. Both pawning and selling have different benefits, and understanding how each works can help you decide which option is best for you.
If interested, please consider reading how pawn shops work.
Pawning
Pawning is perfect for you if you want to keep your item and get it back later. When you pawn an item, you take out a short-term loan that uses your item as collateral and you receive immediate cash with a pawn ticket. Your loan amount depends on your item's value. If you want your item back, you must repay according to the terms on the pawn ticket.
When you visit Value Pawn & Jewelry, our team will assess your item and give you cash on the spot. We'll securely hold onto your item until you pay back the pawn loan. Once it's paid off, you get your item back. It’s that simple!
Why Pawn?
- Easy way to get a loan—If you need money today, you can get it today. Bring in your item, get cash, and pay by the due date to retrieve your item in the future. The Value Pawn & Jewelry team is ready to guide you through the quick and easy process to meet your needs.
- No Credit Checks—Your credit score doesn't matter at pawn shops. Transactions rely on the item's value, not your income or credit history. Plus, being late or unable to pay won't hurt your credit score, and not redeeming your item won't affect you being able to do future transactions. Value Pawn & Jewelry will never report your information to the credit bureaus.
- No Bank Required – At Value Pawn & Jewelry, you don’t need a bank account to pawn an item. Some people prefer alternatives to traditional banking. If traditional banking options won’t work for you, pawn shops are a great option to help you meet your short-term financial needs.
What happens if I don’t pay back my loan?
If a loan isn't repaid, the pawn shop will keep and sell your item in-store to cover the loan costs and you will not get your item back. The choice to pay back your pawn loan is entirely up to you. If you wish to keep the item you have pawned, you can make your loan payment on schedule and pick up your item once your loan is paid in full.
If you decide you no longer wish to keep your item, you may choose to not make your loan payment and forfeit the item to Value Pawn & Jewelry. If you choose this route, selling your item would have been more beneficial than pawning for a loan.
Selling
Selling is the best option for getting fast cash for items you no longer want or need. There are many ways to sell unwanted items of value, and pawn shops make it quick and easy.
Why Sell?
- Save Time—Listing items on online marketplaces can be a hassle. Taking pictures of your items, writing descriptions, and managing potential buyers' questions and negotiations can take up a lot of your time and energy. Selling your item to a pawn shop can take all of 15 minutes! Value Pawn & Jewelry’s friendly and experienced pawnbrokers are ready to meet with you to determine the value of your item and give you the cash you need on the spot.
- Stay Safe – Selling your items online isn’t always safe. Allowing strangers to meet at your home or in uncertain locations can be risky. Additionally, payment apps often lack protection against scammers and won’t often cover losses from transaction errors or theft. With Value Pawn & Jewelry, you can rest assured that you are dealing with a trusted, licensed business and will receive instant cash for your item as opposed to a digital funds transfer.
- Be Sustainable - Reselling unwanted items of value helps reduce waste and reduces your carbon footprint by giving used items new life instead of promoting the overproduction of new items.
How to Benefit the Most
To get the most cash when pawning or selling, consider these factors:
- Item Condition: The better the condition of your item, the higher the return.
- Market Demand: Value fluctuates based on market trends.
- Pawnbroker Assessment: If the broker believes they can sell it fast, you may get more.
- Seasonal Influence: Demand shifts with the seasons, impacting returns.
Best Items to Pawn or Sell
While item demand varies by store and location, here is a list of common items that people frequently pawn or sell at Value Pawn & Jewelry.
- Gold (bars, coins, and jewelry pieces)
- Jewelry (Including Broken Jewelry)
- Precious Metals & Coins
- Diamonds & Precious Gemstones
- Watches
- Firearms (Certain Types at Specific Locations)
- TVs, Laptops, & Computers
- Cameras & Camera Equipment (Drones, Stabilizers, etc.)
- Musical Instruments
- Collectibles
- Luxury Handbags
- Shoes
Read more about what you can pawn!
Deciding To Pawn or Sell
Deciding between pawning and selling depends on what you need and prefer. Pawning is great if you want quick cash but still want to keep your item. You get a pawn loan, and your item is returned when you pay it off. If you're okay with saying goodbye to your item, selling gets you cash instantly. Value Pawn & Jewelry makes both options easy and safe, so whether you want to pawn or sell, we’ve got you covered!
Disclaimers
Pawn transactions are based on the appraised value of the item presented. Item appraisal and the amount offered are determined at the sole discretion of the pawnbroker. Complete disclosure of APR, fees and payment terms are detailed on the pawn ticket. Terms and conditions apply and may vary by state and local jurisdiction.
