| Historically, pawn shops have suffered from a bad | | | | jewelry cleaner, offering potential customers free |
| reputation: the place of last resort for the | | | | jewelry cleanings as well as an assessment of the |
| downtrodden who have nowhere else to turn in | | | | value of the pieces they are thinking of selling. |
| order to get cash. Today, however, there's a | | | | Payday Loan Services As part of the financial |
| new breed of pawnshop - one that's a reputable | | | | services it provides, a pawnshop may also offer |
| provider of financial services. The focus of these | | | | payday loan services. These unsecured loans are |
| new pawn shops is twofold: to provide fast cash | | | | typically short-term, 15-day unsecured loans, |
| loans and retail bargains. With engaging storefronts | | | | which offer customers an easy way to pay |
| and friendly service personnel, a pawn shop is less | | | | unexpected bills or to avoid late fees on their |
| like a last resort and more like a legitimate option | | | | household payments. By providing the pawn shop |
| for obtaining a short-term loan at a reasonable | | | | with proof of employment, proof of residence, |
| rate. | | | | and proof of an active bank account, customers |
| Property-Secured Loans with a Twist For those in | | | | can receive immediate cash to tide them over |
| need of cash, there are a myriad of options. Like | | | | until their next paychecks arrive. |
| a traditional pawn shop, customers can bring in | | | | Bargain Hunter's Paradise For bargain hunters, |
| items of value - like jewelry, musical instruments, | | | | some pawn shops now operate retail stores that |
| consumer electronics, DVDs, tools, and video | | | | offer incredible deals on merchandise acquired |
| games - as collateral, and receive a cash loan. The | | | | through direct purchase, through collateral on |
| items pawned are securely stored until the loan is | | | | unpaid loans, and as a result of their services as a |
| repaid. The difference is that the value of the | | | | mobile gold buyer. These bright stores with |
| item pawned is determined by state-of-the-art | | | | friendly sales personnel give shoppers an |
| technology, rather than by assessment by an | | | | outstanding shopping experience. The Role of the |
| individual. | | | | Internet Thanks to the Internet, both those |
| Direct Purchase Options This new breed of pawn | | | | seeking the financial services of a pawnshop and |
| shops offers other options for quick cash, such as | | | | those hunting for shopping bargains have easy |
| the direct purchase option. In this case, customers | | | | access. Some pawn shops offer online services, |
| who no longer want or need an item can sell it | | | | using a secure mailbox drop for goods received |
| directly to the pawnshop. The customer service | | | | and online payment methods like PayPal. These |
| representative offers the customer both a "loan | | | | pawnshops often supplement their retail store |
| price" and a "buy price" for the item. For those | | | | offerings with online auctions using venues such as |
| who don't have an outlet for selling unwanted | | | | eBay. |
| items or who want to ensure they get a fair | | | | Today, pawn shops have moved into the 21st |
| price, a pawnshop can be a welcome option. A | | | | century, and are using technology and resources |
| pawn shop dealer often acts as a gold buyer - | | | | to ensure a positive experience for both those |
| even for broken gold - when a customer has | | | | needing fast cash and those looking for quality |
| jewelry that he or she no longer wants. In fact, a | | | | merchandise. |
| dealer may even become a mobile gold buyer and | | | | |