In these trying times, the last thing you might want to do is visit a pawn shop. After all, if going to the grocery store is already hazardous enough, how much more could a store full of previously-owned items be? Is a pawn shop even an essential business?
As it turns out, pawn shops are not only essential, but they are thriving amidst the pandemic. Pawn shops are helping out plenty of consumers with flexible loans and buying old items from you for quick cash. You might even be able to snag some essential items like laptops for a reduced price.
Here are a few tips that will keep you safe when visiting a pawn shop despite COVID.
Practice Social Distancing
Remember to keep 6 feet away from others when out in public. Whenever a person sneezes, coughs, or even talks, droplets from their mouth and nose can spread in the air and transfer to other people’s mouths and noses around you. If that person has COVID, they might unknowingly transfer the virus to you and others.
Keeping a good distance away from strangers alongside other health practices will keep you safe during a visit to a pawn shop. Luckily, some pawn shops will have markers all around their store to help you keep a safe distance away from any other patrons shopping there.
Wear a Mask
Though the pawn broker will be mostly protected by a thick glass partition while you complete your transaction, it is still a good idea to wear a mask when visiting a pawn shop. This is more to help protect your fellow shoppers’ safety.
Because COVID is an airborne virus, wearing a mask can significantly reduce the spread even if you believe you are not infected. Even if you are not infected, it can help prevent you from contracting the virus from someone near you that might have it.
Ask the Pawn Broker If They Can Sanitize Items
If you plan to buy items from your local pawn shop, it might be a good idea to ask if the pawn broker can sanitize it before handing it off to you. Pawn shops keep plenty of hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes on hand, so it should not be much of a problem for them to accommodate your request.
Use Their Website
If the idea of visiting a pawn shop in-person still intimidates you, you can always look up your local pawn shop’s website to see if they are conducting business there, too. Pawn shops will ship items to you and let you ship over collateral to them for a quick loan in turn if you would rather keep self-quarantining.
You can even contact the pawn broker via phone call or e-mail to try and haggle down a price on any item you like all from the comfort of your home. In fact, most pawn shops are conducting the majority of their business this way to keep afloat.
