Find a pawn shop near me that has been around for thousands of years. They offer quick cash for items people no longer want or need and are a good option if you are short on cash, especially in a crisis situation. Typically, you leave an item of value (like jewelry or a firearm) with the pawnbroker as collateral on a loan and then pay back the amount of the loan plus interest within a certain time period — or your items are sold to recoup the lender’s investment.

Pawnshops can have a wide selection of items, but the inventory is always changing. Some pawnshops focus on specific items like jewelry or electronics and others stock everything from tools to musical instruments. When shopping at a pawn shop, you will want to research the price of an item before you go in so you are familiar with what it is worth in the marketplace.

Find a Pawn Shop Near Me: Quick and Easy Search Tips

It is also important to understand that pawnshops are allowed to charge huge interest rates. Some states cap these rates but they can still be very high. In addition, pawnshops often charge fees for processing and storage. Be sure to ask about these fees before handing over any item of value to a pawnbroker.

If a pawnshop staff doesn’t seem to be upfront or honest, take your business elsewhere. This is especially true if you are considering taking in or purchasing high-value items. Just as you wouldn’t ship a chainsaw to an online second-hand store, shipping something like a gold ring or vintage guitar isn’t a smart idea at a pawnshop either.