16 Surprising Things You Can Pawn

Selling items that you already own can be a great way to make a quick buck. And while there are many places where you can sell used goods, one of the fastest ways is to visit a pawn shop. Pawn shops offer immediate cash, and are a convenient way to turn your items into money on the spot.

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What Is a Pawn Shop?

A pawn shop is a store where you can buy or sell used items of value. One of the main draws of a pawn shop is that you can “pawn” an item you already own for money. This means the shop will hold the item until a certain date, at which point you can buy it back for a specific price. If you don’t buy it back in time, it will be placed on the store’s shelves to be sold to the general public.

16 Things To Pawn Around the House

Pawn shops buy a wide range of items. Here are some of the best things to pawn if you need quick cash:

1. Jewelry and Diamonds

Jewelry and diamonds are some of the most popular items to pawn due to their high value and demand. When you go to sell your jewelry or diamonds to a pawn shop, they will have it appraised and offer you cash on the spot. This can be a quick, no-hassle way to sell jewelry when you need money immediately.

Consider bringing any documents related to your jewels in order to get the best offer possible. This might include the receipt, certificates of authenticity, or even professional appraisals.

On the other hand, pawning jewelry doesn’t always make sense. While it’s a great way to get cash fast, pawn shops aren’t exactly known for paying top dollar. If you’re looking to maximize your return and can wait to get paid, you might consider using an online auction site like Worthy.com.

2. Cars and Motorcycles

Pawn shops are a great resource for those looking for a quick buyer for their car, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle. In order to sell to the pawn shop, you will need to bring your title and vehicle so that the pawn shop can assess its age, condition, and market value to create an offer.

This is a great option if you need a substantial amount of cash immediately and don’t want to go through the hassle of finding a private buyer or deal with the time-consuming paperwork that comes with selling to a dealership. It’s also a great option if you just need temporary cash and want the ability to buy your vehicle back. Just keep in mind that if you're trying to sell your junk car for cash, a pawn shop won't be your best option.

It’s important to note that not every pawn shop will have the ability to purchase cars and motorcycles – it largely depends on how much space they have to store them. It’s a good idea to call the pawn shop beforehand to see if they accept vehicles. 

3. Electronics

People are constantly upgrading their cell phones, computers, cameras, and video game consoles. Oftentimes, their old systems are in perfect working condition. That’s where pawn shops come in. Not only can they help you offload your unwanted gear, but they can also give you quick cash to offset the new purchase.

Selling your unwanted electronics to a pawn shop saves you the trouble of finding a buyer and negotiating a price. It’s a fast, hassle-free way to turn your old electronics into money, making it easier to stay up-to-date with the latest tech gear.

One thing to keep in mind is that not all pawn shops buy cell phones. This is because the market is flooded with used phones, and a high percentage of them have been stolen. If you’re planning to pawn a cell phone, call the pawn shop beforehand to make sure they’re accepting them.

4. Precious Metals

Precious metals, such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, are great items to sell at pawn shops. They can come in many forms, including bars, coins, jewelry, and even nuggets.

If you’re looking to pawn a precious metal, you’ll want to bring in your certificate of authenticity (if you have one). This will help the pawn shop evaluate the metal and give you a fair offer. While you can still pawn precious metals without a certificate of authenticity, the offer you receive won’t be nearly as high.

Precious metals are known for holding their value over time, so they’re a great item to pawn when you need cash quickly.

5. Artwork

When we say artwork, we don’t just mean any old painting you found at Home Goods. We mean rare, collectible pieces, including paintings, photographs, sculptures, and other creative works of art.

If you decide to sell fine artwork to a pawn shop, you’ll need to bring in the relevant documentation showing its authenticity and history. Artwork by well-known artists or pieces that are highly collectible will fetch the highest prices. It’s a good idea to do a little research beforehand to make sure you receive a fair offer.

6. Power Tools

If you’ve recently upgraded your power tools or have ones that are no longer needed, selling them to a pawn shop is a great way to clear space in the garage while earning a few extra bucks.

Power tools, such as drills, saws, sanders, and power washes, can bring a good offer, especially if it’s from a reputable brand and in excellent working condition. If you still have the original packaging, that can also increase the value of your offer.

Pawning your used power tools is a great way to turn your garage clutter into cash, making it a win/win for everyone.

7. Camping Gear and Sporting Equipment

Items such as camping gear, bikes, hunting and fishing equipment, golf clubs, workout machines, and skis hold their resale value well, and they are always in high demand. If you recently upgraded your hobby gear and are looking to get a bit of cash to offset your new purchase, then pawning is a great option.

When you bring your camping and sporting gear to the pawn shop, they will evaluate it for wear and tear to make sure it is in working condition. High-end, name-brand gear will result in better offers, as well as gear with original packaging or extra features and accessories.

Pawning your used outdoor gear is a great way to upgrade your equipment or get rid of things you no longer use. It also gets you fast cash without the hassle of planning a yard sale or listing it on Facebook Marketplace.

8. Firearms

The gun and firearm industry can be complicated when trying to sell secondhand. There are many rules and regulations that need to be followed, and not all pawn shops are up for the challenge of navigating the red tape.

The ones who are willing to purchase used firearms, however, make the process incredibly easy for consumers. All you have to do is bring your firearm and documentation – including proof of ownership and any necessary permits or licenses –  into the pawn shop for an evaluation.

It’s a good idea to call the pawn shop ahead of time to make sure they are licensed to handle firearm transactions and find out if there are any procedures you need to follow.

Pawning a handgun, rifle, shotgun, or antique gun is a great way to get some extra cash though, especially if you don’t use it very often.

9. Antiques and Vintage Goods

Many people inherit odds and ends from family members, and some of those items have value due to their historical or cultural significance. Collectors often seek out these items, which can make them particularly valuable at pawn shops. If you’re looking to offload things like antique furniture, rare books, classic toys, and other vintage odds and ends, then pawning them could be a great way to make a little extra money without a lot of effort.

Before throwing grandma’s old china in the donation bin, do a little research to see if it has any value. Look to see if you can track down any documentation, such as a certificate of authenticity, that tells you more about the item’s history. This can significantly increase the value of the offer you receive from the pawn shop.

Taking the time to verify and appraise your items ensures you get the best possible deal, turning inherited treasures into a valuable source of income.

10. Rare Trading Cards

If you collect trading cards and need fast cash, pawning a few rare cards from your collection could be a quick solution. Cards from series like Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Magic: The Gathering, as well as baseball cards from popular athletes are highly sought after and can command a pretty penny.

When you’re ready to sell your rare trading cards, consider getting them professionally graded. This will help authenticate the card and get you a higher offer.

It’s also a good idea to shop around and get quotes from multiple pawn shops in town, as different shops will pay different prices. This ensures you get the best price for your trading card in a quick, convenient way.

11. Designer Clothing and Handbags

Whether you’re a sneakerhead or love luxury handbags, designer clothing is always in demand and can be a great item to pawn if you’re looking for fast cash.

Popular clothing can include everything from luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, and Prada to pop culture collector items such as Nike, Levi’s, and Patagonia.

These items should be in excellent condition. This means it’s clean and free of damage; preferably stored in dust bags for preservation. You will also need to include proof of authenticity, such as an original receipt, original packaging, and/or authenticity cards. Most pawn shops will require some sort of proof before making an offer.

12. Musical Instruments

Musical instruments – both modern and vintage – are highly sought after. This is another item that often gets collected or upgraded, and can easily fetch money at pawn shops.

Guitars and accessories are probably the most popular instruments to pawn, but other instruments, such as pianos, violins, drum kits, trumpets, flutes, and clarinets are also in demand – especially if they’re made by a high-quality brand such as Fender, Yamaho, Casio, Ludwig, or Zildjian.

Before you head to the pawn shop, it’s important to make sure your instrument is clean and well-maintained. Having the original receipts or a certificate of authenticity can also boost the offer you receive. Don’t be afraid to do a bit of research on current market values or visit multiple shops to get the best possible deal.

13. Vinyl Records

Vinyl records have seen a resurgence in popularity lately, making them highly sought after by both collectors and music enthusiasts.  If you have a solid stash and are looking to sell vinyl records, pawning them can be a great way to make some easy cash.

Certain records sell for more than others – vintage records and limited editions will fetch the most amount of money, especially if you have documentation that can authenticate them. The size of your collection can also impact its value, with larger collections often being more valuable as a whole compared to individual records.

Lastly, your records should be in good condition. This means they are free of scratches, well-preserved, and sold in the original covers, sleeves, and inserts.

14. Watches

Watches are highly collectible, which means pawn shops are almost always willing to offer cash for watches made by luxury and vintage brands. This includes Rolex, Patek Philippe, Gucci, Cartier, Longines, and Seiko.

Before the pawn shop gives you an offer, they will want to evaluate the watch to make sure it is in good, working condition. This means it is free of scratches and has received regular maintenance. Professional appraisals and certificates of authenticity will also help you negotiate a better price.

If your watch has significant value it may make more sense to try your luck on an auction site like Worthy.com.

15. Fine Wine

Wine isn’t one of the most popular items to pawn, but if you have something of value, then a pawn shop will definitely consider making an offer.

Rare and of value is key – no pawn shop is going to give you money for the Two Buck Chuck you bought last year, but if you have something that’s in demand among wine collectors and enthusiasts, they’re not going to turn you away.

Pawning wine will be a bit more difficult than other items. It requires you to provide detailed documentation about its history, storage, authenticity, and purchase value. You also need to be fairly familiar with the wine market. If you don’t know much about wine, consider taking it to a professional for an appraisal – it will prove to be very helpful when it comes time to negotiate with the pawn shop.

16. Household Appliances

Household appliances, such as lawn equipment and kitchen appliances, are easy to pawn due to their high demand, practical use, and durability. If you recently downsized or remodeled and need to get rid of your old appliances that are well maintained and in working condition, then selling them to the pawn shop could be the easiest, hassle-free way to offload them and make a bit of extra cash.

Certain brands, such as Honda, KitchenAid, Bosch, and Vitamix will be more valuable than others. Including the original packaging and accessories will also increase the value of your offer as well. The time of year can also affect the price you receive, as selling a lawn mower in the spring or a crock pot in the fall will get a better deal than trying to sell it during the off-season.

Take some time to research the market value of your items and consider visiting multiple pawn shops to compare offers. This will help you maximize the value of your appliances and put a little extra cash in your pocket.

What Will Pawn Shops NOT Buy?

While it may seem like pawn shops will buy nearly anything (for the right price), there are a few items they won’t touch.

Counterfeit products can be problematic because they put pawn shops at legal risk and can harm their reputation. That’s why certificates of authenticity are so important.

Pawn shops also won’t buy unregistered firearms, as doing so is illegal and could lead to severe fines and criminal charges.

If the pawn shop is short on space, it may limit the number of large items they buy, such as automobiles, pianos, large furniture and appliances, and bulky outdoor equipment.

Lastly, items that are oversaturated on the second-hand market may be hard to pawn. This includes cell phones, common books, low-end jewelry, and basic items that don’t have much value. Pawn shops typically avoid buying these things because they know they won’t be able to sell them very quickly.

If you have any questions or doubts about whether a pawn shop will make an offer on your item, it’s a good idea to call beforehand to see if they have any restrictions in place.

Pawn Shops Offer a Convenient Way to Make Extra Cash

Pawn shops offer a quick and convenient way to turn your belongings into cash. This includes everything from jewelry and diamonds to trading cards and musical instruments.

When pawning your gear, remember to bring the original packaging, documentation, and accessories to maximize the offer you receive. It’s also a good idea to research the current market and visit multiple pawn shops to compare offers. Don’t be afraid to negotiate, either!

Whether you’re upgrading your equipment, cleaning out your garage, or just interested in making money, pawn shops are perfect for those who don’t want to deal with selling on online marketplaces – or for those who just need some quick cash before they eventually buy the item back.