Elgin Il Pawn Shops (2024)

FAQs

What's the most a pawn shop will pay? ›

The loan amount that a pawnbroker offers will be based on the item's assessed resale value, often much lower than its original purchase price. If the item is approved, a lender will typically offer 25% – 60% of the resale value.

One of the best pawn shop operators, American Jewelry and Loan has its headquarters in Detroit, the United States. It was first established in 1978 and has since grown to be among the biggest and most well-known pawn shops in the whole globe.

Don't accept the first price offered by the pawn shop. Be prepared to negotiate and ask for a better price. However, be realistic in your expectations and don't be too aggressive; the point of doing your research beforehand is so that you can anticipate what will be considered fair both for you and for the pawn shop.

At a pawn shop, you leave your property and, in return, the pawnbroker typically lends you approximately 25% to 60% of the item's resale value. The most commonly pawned items are jewelry, electronic and photography equipment, musical instruments, and firearms. The average amount of a pawn shop loan is about $75–$100.

Across the board, jewelry (authentic, real jewelry - not costume jewelry) generally yields the most amount of cash. This is because jewelry is made from precious metals, such as gold and platinum, and often incorporates diamonds and other precious gemstones. Jewelry also tends to hold its value over long periods.

Pawning or selling is a personal choice. It boils down to two options: wanting to get items back or not wanting them back. If customers want their items back, then pawning is the best option. But if they want to get rid of their items, selling is the better choice.

They make money by selling what they buy from you for 3–4 times more than what they offer. There may not be a demand for what you're selling and having to hold onto it for 1–3 months while you decide you don't want it back may depreciate the value of the item.

Most pawn shops do negotiate for sales – but don't expect to get more than 60% of the value of your item. Remember – their end goal is to resell your item for a profit. They don't care about the sentimental value or history, or even the unique details that add value.

What are the disadvantages of a pawn shop? ›

Shops know they can sell tools faster (and for more money) when they are trusted brands. Bosch, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Stihl, and Snap-On will earn you the most. Usually, pawn shops will pay anywhere from $30-$200 for working tools, but you can expect that price to increase if you have any of these top performing brands.

Pawn shops that buy TVs will also pay more for a bigger screen. If your TV's screen is less than 26 inches, you'd be lucky to get over $50 for it. If your screen is greater than 42 inches, though, a pawnbroker like GEM might offer you over $200, provided the TV is one of the brands mentioned above.

Pawning or selling is a personal choice. It boils down to two options: wanting to get items back or not wanting them back. If customers want their items back, then pawning is the best option. But if they want to get rid of their items, selling is the better choice.

A pawn store will generally offer more money if you're selling your item instead of pawning it. However, it does depend on a few factors. For instance, if you're selling an in-demand item, such as gold jewelry or a high-end watch, the pawnbroker is more likely to offer you a higher cash value.