Pawn shop websites are pretty easy to navigate, even for those less tech-savvy than most. Here’s a short guide on how to use an online pawn shop!
How Online Pawn Shops Sell Items
Online pawn shops organize their wares much like any online retailer would. You can browse through different categories of items, narrow down specific items you are interested in, and even search through their site for particular items of interest.
Many online pawn shops will have recent pictures of their items on their site so you can see for yourself what sort of condition they’re in. Unlike many other online retailers, you can also ask the owner questions about any products you’re interested in. They will be more than happy to give you all the information you need before you buy, and even haggle prices back and forth with you until you both find a price you’re willing to pay.
How Online Pawn Shops Buy Items from Customers
If you want to sell your items through an online pawn shop, you will have to do a couple things before contacting a pawn shop owner.
First, gather all the components of the item you want to sell, including the original box it came in, any certificates or manuals it has, and any extra accessories it initially came with. Pawn brokers are more likely to pay for a complete item rather than something missing components.
Next, thoroughly clean and photograph your item. That way, the broker will be able to properly appraise the item before you send it to them and they can be sure to give you a good price for it.
Finally, you will need to ship over your item to the pawn broker. It is a good idea to see if the pawn broker offers free shipping or is willing to pay for shipping on the item.
Knowing the retail value of the item you’re selling is also helpful so you know the pawn shop owners aren’t lowballing their prices they offer for said item.
How Online Pawn Shops Offer Pawn Loans
Pawn shops specialize in giving people quick loans in exchange for items, but how exactly does this work for an online pawn shop?
Simply mail the pawn shop your item as you would if you were selling it to them. Rather than saying goodbye for good, however, you are simply loaning the shop that item for whatever period of time your loan contract states until you pay the loan back. The pawn shop will then wire the agreed sum to your bank account for you to use.
Most loan contracts can be pretty flexible, so if you need an extension, a pawn shop owner will be more than happy to help you work that out. Even if you can’t pay the loan back in time, you don’t have to worry about any penalty or late fees. The pawn shop will simply keep the item you sent them instead.
