Who uses pawn shops?

Anyone in need of extra cash for a brief period of time. Pawnbrokers lend money on items of value ranging from gold and diamond jewelry to stereo systems, cameras, musical instruments, lawn mowers, etc. Most loans are small—a few hundred dollars or less—and since the customer provides collateral, no credit check is necessary. Our typical customer is a hard-working parent who’s had an unexpected bill and is between paychecks. Many of our customers have been with us for years, because they’ve learned that we value their business and we treat them right. Other customers come to us looking for great buys on jewelry, musical instruments, electronics, and other items. They know we have a steady supply of quality merchandise at prices often far below retail value.

How quickly can I get a loan?

If the value of the items you bring in is easy to determine, and you have all the required identification, you can be walking out the door, money in hand, in about ten minutes.

How often can I get a loan?

As often as you need one.

How long do I have to repay my loan?

30 days. If, at the end of that time, you need an additional 30 days, you may pay the interest due and renew the loan.

If I forget to pay my loan, will you contact me?

We respect our customers' privacy and will not write, phone, or e-mail you for any reason. It is your responsibility to pay your loan in a timely manner or pay additional costs incurred.

What happens if I can't repay the loan?

If you want your pawn back, you may continue to pay the interest due and we will renew the loan for up to XXXX. If you still cannot repay the loan at that time, we will take your pawn out of storage, put it up for sale, and consider your loan paid in full.

Can I repay my loan with a credit card?

No

How many items can I pawn at one time?

As many as you like

Can I pawn my car title?

No

Why won't you loan me as much as my item is worth?

Pawnbrokers loan as much as they can--typically 30% - 50% of an item's resale value-given that the pawned item is all they have if a borrower defaults. Essentially, the pawnbroker takes all the risk, because an item may or may not sell, it might get broken, it might get stolen, etc. For similar reasons, interest rates are higher at a pawnshop than at a bank; all you need to get a pawnshop loan is

What if I don't know what my item is worth?

Our stores have trained appraisers who can estimate the worth of rare and antique items as well as everyday valuables. We will offer you a fair and honest appraisal and base our loan on that figure.

What happens if I lose my pawn ticket?

That’s not a problem. We’ll just pull the records from our files

Can I just sell you my item outright?

Absolutely, if you are certain you don't want the item and if it is something we feel has value and can be resold.

Are people under 18 allowed in your stores?

They are, but we reserve the right not to sell items we deem inappropriate to them

Is the information about my pawn loan confidential?

Absolutely. State and federal laws strictly regulate the privacy of your transactions with us. We have specific procedures in place to safeguard this information. We are, however, required by law to report all pawn transaction to local law enforcement agencies to prevent property crimes and unauthorized pawns. This is for your protection as well as ours.

Aren't pawnshops notorious for stolen goods?

As in any industry, there are people in the pawn business whose scruples are lacking and whose ethics are questionable. That said, ours is one of the most carefully scrutinized industries there is. Pawnshops are strictly licensed and regulated, and every single transaction is carefully monitored and reported. At American Pawn Exchange, we will not accept an item whose serial number is missing or altered, and we test all goods such as diamonds and gold for authenticity. We have been in business for nearly 30 years and are well respected in our community. You can shop with us with complete confidence in our integrity.