Pawnbrokers Have To Be Tough...
By twoey68
@twoey68 (13627)
United States
May 23, 2008 10:41am CST
We have several pawnshops around town here and although I haven’t used them my ex-b/f used to use them all the time…probably still does. Basically you take something in, they offer you an amount of money for the item, and you either accept or refuse. They don’t actually buy the items most of the time they simply loan money on it. You have generally 30 days to pay the loan (plus interest) and pick up the item. If you don’t they keep it. Sometimes they will outright by the item and you can just sell it to them.
I don’t think I could ever run a pawnshop. I’m too softhearted. Someone would come in with some made up sob story and I’d be giving them $50 for a $10 ring. Pawnbrokers have to be tough that’s how they stay in business. I’m not that tough LOL
Could you be a pawnbroker? Have you ever had to pawn something? Are there a lot of pawnshops where you live? If you had to pawn something, what’s the most expensive item you have that you could pawn?
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
6 people like this
22 responses
@queenofarms (1659)
• United States
23 May 08
I wouldn't want to be a pawnbroker. I wouldn't want the responsiblity of someones valubles. I have used the pawnshop once. And I worried the entire time if I was going to beable to get my item back. The item was worth $2000 and I borrowed $500. Its not something I would do again.
1 person likes this
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
29 Jun 08
I've only used the services of a pawnbroker once. I needed a few dollars to see me through to payday, which was only 3 days away, so took my phone in with charger etc, as that's what they wanted.
I wasn't happy, as the day I went to pick it up again (payday, only 3 days later), they told me they had sold it!!!!!!!
What they did was wrong, and I was not at all impressed! I am just glad that I didn't rely on that phone too much, but I still had to buy a new one!!! And pay for the money they had lent me, with interest of 10%!!!!!!!
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
29 May 08
My hubby used to have an old wedding band from his previous marriage that he wanted to get rid of. We tried the 3 pawn shops in our county but none wanted it being it was a plain band and not worth much. My former g/f's hubby ended up stealing it even thou he claims he didn't. I know he did because he was the only one in the house when it went missing.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
24 May 08
Oh yea, you've gotta be tough if you want to be a pawnbroker.
Softies like us simply can't. LOL 
ALL who need to pawn items will have sad stories. The difference is just how colorful the story is and how well the person can cry and present him/herself.
If you are a pawnbroker, you just have to remember that you are running a business. Get tough, remain unmoved.
Take it, or leave it. 
ALL who need to pawn items will have sad stories. The difference is just how colorful the story is and how well the person can cry and present him/herself.
If you are a pawnbroker, you just have to remember that you are running a business. Get tough, remain unmoved.
Take it, or leave it. 
@ruby222 (4847)
•
24 May 08
Ive noticed there are a couple of pawn shops in nearby little towns,when they first opened i was quite suprised as i though they were a thing of the past,but i suppose if you think about it all people are tighter for money as much so now as years ago.Ive also noticed that these shops offer a facility for check changing,but i would surely think that they charge a huge rate of interest.I wouldnt be any good at all...in any of these jobs..I would probably give them the money they needed!!!I certainly wouldnt ever make any thats for sure!!But im sure there are a lot of people who are very grateful to be able to use one.I suppose the most expensive piece thast i would have myself that may be exchanged for money would be jewellery,but things would really have to be desperate before i would ever consider doing it,not because of the `pawning1 process in itself,but the fear that i may never be able to get the item back.
@blueberry053178 (217)
• Philippines
24 May 08
Yes, i have tried to pawn. It was my ring worth $25 and the pawnshop only took it half the price. it's so valuable to me that after a month i returned to the pawnshop to get it. There are so many pawnshop here where i live so if anyone is broke it is the only way to have money. if i would be given a chance to have a business, it would not be a pawnshop but a restaurant because people here in our place really loves to eat... happy posting!! :)
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
23 May 08
That's why maybe some of the pawnshop, they will hire someone to entertain the customers to be firm and consistent in the business..LOL, I have not seen any pawnshop here but in my Country it's everywhere, I used to pawn a lot before my jewelries for some projects, like renovations of the house, repainting or some debt that I need to pay cash!I have some few items which were actually forfeited!
@kingcrapper (1536)
• United States
24 May 08
I can't imagine being a pawn broker either. They would have to be very tough people...tough in the idea that they did not think of anyone else. Can be both good and bad if not used in the right way. I do alot with my community and have many people looking toward me with sad stories but my idea is to give. That is why I do alot with food drives, clothing drives and such thing.
I wonder if I am older or wise but I can't think of my own parents telling me never take when you have the means or imagination to give to others. I wonder if there is a cycle for those who take who think the opposite.
How sad is that!
@terri0824 (4991)
• United States
24 May 08
I've never used a pawnshop before. We do have several pawn shops in the area. They also have to be tough and have to submit anything they buy to the local police station as well. Because a lot of people steal and then pawn things and that is their way of protecting themselves from buying stolen goods.
@spiderlizard22 (3444)
• United States
24 May 08
I can be tough if I were to be a pawn broker. Sure I would feel sorry for them if they tell me a sob story but I would not cave in. Pawnshops buy items for less than half for what they sell for.
@littleowl (7157)
•
24 May 08
Hi Twoethat is something I never could do pawn something unless it was of no more sentimental value-then I would probably pawn it and let them have it whatever it may be but so far haven't come to that as I don't have anything enough to pawn anyway-littleowl
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
24 May 08
I couldn't be a pawnbroker, like you I would be too softhearted! But I've used them and they are lifesavers!
I used to have a color tv--my first!!--that I'd pawn if I was in dire straits, and that was often. I never lost it, always redeemed it. The fee was fair and it got me out of a lot of jams. This was 20-25 years ago and I remember finding out about them and thinking what a boon they were!
The payday loan places nowadays, on the other hand, are real rip-offs. The pawn shops charge a nominal fee and rely on volume and sales for their income. They payday loan shops rely on usury fees and I'm glad to see their demise in my state.
I've had several friends make good scores on great guitars in pawnshops. They're always sorry for the former owners but that's the breaks...you buy more than you can afford and you have to pay eventually. Hard times demand hard penalties and most people I know that make money from pawn shop purchases but they feel bad because they've been there.
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
23 May 08
I know what you mean, I would be too softhearted too, I would be out of business within a week!! I have never used a pawnbroker and I have been in some dire straits but I have just managed or gone without.
I could not be a pawnbroker though. Where I live there are not, but in one of the bigger towns a bus ride away from me there is a few and one really big one. I always look at the jewellery they have as I like unusual jewellery and they always have some good stuff in there.
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
24 May 08
I have been 2 times after my first divorce to sell all my gold jewelry to get money to feed my children and pay bills..those were tough times kinda like now!
@moondancer (7433)
• United States
23 May 08
I don't know that I could. I have had businesses, but not that. I am a sucker to help people. So I don't know that I could do that.
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
23 May 08
Pawn shops do big business around here. Quick cash no questions. We have bought a couple of things in the past and sold or pawned something when we needed quick cash. I really dont think I would like to have or work at a pawn shop.
@olivemai (4738)
• United States
23 May 08
We have used the pawnshops a few times! I do not like them as we end up selling items of value, without replacing those items or buying back the item that was sold! I guess you can say that pawning is addictive! Same as the payday loans that are popular now, it keeps you coming back!
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
23 May 08
nope I could never be a pawnbroker as I would go
broke just paying too much out because I felt sorry
for the person who is selling something he or she'
probably would not be selling unless they were really
desparate for money. I never pawned anything but my
son had to pawn an expensive camera in order to have
enough money for the rent and I had to c ome along
as my namewas on the rent not his. There are a few
pawnshops where i live but not many like in some of
the other towns nearby.
