Have you ever wondered what to expect when going to visit a pawn shop? We do our best to not only educate our Pawnbrokers but we aim to inform the consumers as well. The National Pawnbrokers Association put out a great article below on the 6 Things Everyone Should Know Before Going To A Pawn Shop.Since the recent economic downturn, families and business owners are looking to pawn stores for the first time to secure safety net loans that cover unexpected financial needs. Everyday, thousands of Americans are in need of short-term, small-dollar loans that aren’t available from banks or traditional lenders. With the success of Pawn Stars on the History Channel, many Americans are discovering that modern day pawn stores are clean, well-lit businesses that serve consumers from all walks of life. Yet, many are still unclear on what pawn stores do and how pawn loans actually work.

“With the economy still lagging, consumers are looking to pawn stores to borrow only what they need,” explains Kevin Prochaska, president of the National Pawnbrokers Association. “Yet there are some key things to keep in mind when taking out a pawn loan.”

To find a National Pawnbrokers Association member in your area, visit PawnFyNdR.com.

For consumers seeking safety net loans from a trusted, licensed pawnbroker, NPA answers the following questions about pawn stores:

1. What does a pawn store do? The core of a pawn store’s business is making collateral loans. Pawn stores offer loans, secured by something of value. The pawn store may have other business elements such as retail sales. However, pawnbrokers focus on lending money.

2. How does a pawn loan work? Customers bring in an item of value, and the pawnbroker offers a loan based on a percentage of the item’s estimated value. The pawnbroker then keeps the item until the customer repays the loan with interest and any additional fees that may apply. Pawn stores are regulated on a federal, state and local level.

3. How much money can I get for my item? On average, customers receive only a portion of the item’s retail value. Remember, the pawnbroker is loaning money on the item, not buying it. The pawnbroker must consider the cost of storage, security and future demand for the item, along with the resale value if the loan is not repaid. The average loan amount nationally is $150. However, loans can be made for any amount, depending on the value of the pawned item.

4. What kind of interest rate will I have to pay on the loan? Interest rates vary from state to state and usually amount to less than bank overdraft fees, utility reconnect fees, or credit card late fees. As an example, an $80 pawn loan at 20% for 30 days would cost about $16. Compare that to an overdraft fee or a credit card late fee that may negatively affect your credit.

5. What do I need to do to get a pawn loan? In order to secure a pawn loan, you simply need an item of value and proper identification. Pawn loans do not require a credit check, bank account or co-signer.

6. What happens if I don’t repay my loan? Defaulting on a loan can never affect consumers’ credit scores. Because the loan is based on collateral—that is, an actual piece of property—the loan is considered paid in full when the item is handed over to the pawnbroker.

“For years, pawn stores have been providing safety net loans to families that encounter sudden financial emergencies,” adds Prochaska. “These vital, small-dollar loans simply aren’t offered by banks and other traditional lending institutions.”

PawnMaster would like to hear your pawn shop experiences good and/or poor so we can continue to improve our growing industry. Leave us your comments.