What is a Pawn Loan? Here’s How It Compares to the Alternatives

Where can I borrow money? It’s a question many of us ask ourselves at some point in our lives. Perhaps it’s a big milestone, like buying a house or a car, starting a business, or planning to grow your family. Then again, maybe you simply need a little cash to pay a bill or make rent. For cases when you need a large amount of money – like when you’re buying a house or a car – you can get a loan from banks. For others – say, if you need several hundreds of dollars – you can take out a pawn loan.

There’s a little mystery surrounding pawn loans because they’re different from other methods of borrowing small amounts of money, which include:

  • credit card cash advances.
  • payday loans.
  • car title loans.

It also doesn’t help that there are a lot of misconceptions about pawn loans in general. When you’re strapped for cash and need money now, comparing your options can feel daunting. Let’s break it down.

Credit Card Cash Advances

A credit card cash advance is a short-term loan. The cash is borrowed against your credit limit. This is a quick and easy option if:

  1. you have a credit card.
  2. your card has sufficient available credits.

If you don’t have a credit card yet, you will have to complete an application form first and submit the necessary requirements – like sources of income – to the credit card company. They will have to conduct a credit check before they give approval and send you your own card.

While it might be an option, obtaining a credit card cash advance has a few drawbacks.

  • The process can be time-consuming.
  • You’re not guaranteed any money.
  • Late payments can hurt your credit rating, and the fees are costly.

Payday Loans

Generally speaking, payday loans are short-term loans with high interest, usually due on your next payday. How high, you’re wondering? Typically, it ranges from 15% to 30%. One pro is payday loans typically don’t require a credit check, but beyond that, there is much concern. The drawbacks here are clear:

  • You have very little time to pay them off – the terms are difficult to meet.
  • Interest tends to be higher.
  • The lender won’t take into consideration your other financial obligations.
  • The lender has multiple legal options they can take against you should you not pay them back.

Car Title Loans

With a car title loan, you offer your car title as collateral. Many people believe this is a great deal because your credit score doesn’t matter. Proceed with caution! Title loans are actually banned in many states, and for good reason.

  • The monthly interest rate can be as high as 25%.
  • These loans are meant to be paid off in one lump sum, except most people can’t afford that.
  • Many of these loans end with the borrower losing their car.

Pawn Loans

At this point, you’re probably scared of taking out loans, period. Hold that thought. Pawn loans are a favorable method of borrowing money largely because they offer three things the other options don’t:

  • Your credit isn’t involved in any manner.
  • Fastest loan process. You can walk out with cash in a few minutes.
  • If you fail to pay back the loan, there will be no one chasing you down or interest payment piling up, you just forfeit the item you pawned.
  • The interest rate is lower than many alternatives if you pay it back in one month (and in our case, significantly lower).

What is a pawn loan, exactly? Let’s expand on some of the basics, discuss what you can expect, and look at how John’s Pawn Shop handles things differently from the competitors.

Collateral

To Get a Loan

To get a pawn loan, you only need two things: your ID and collateral – like jewelry. The amount you can borrow will depend on the collateral you provide – not your credit rating.

Determining Value

The loan value of your item will be appraised by a professional pawnbroker. The amount will be based on the item’s current market price and its estimated resale value. We conduct careful research to ensure we give a fair and honest price for your item.

The End of the Loan

The collateral can be reclaimed once the loan has been paid off. If you’re ultimately unable to pay off the loan or simply decide you don’t want to, you can leave us the collateral instead and your credit will not take a hit.

Terms

You pay off your loan within an agreed upon period. Most pawn shops allow three months, but John’s Pawn Shop can give you a term of up to four months. If you end up needing more time to pay off the loan and reclaim your item, we can hang on to it for longer.

Interest Rate

Most commonly, pawn shops (in Las Vegas) charge an interest rate of 13% per month and offer a 3 month term. We only charge 8% – the lowest you will find in Las Vegas and give you a 4 month term. Repayment terms are far more manageable than other types of loans, and you will not get caught in a vicious cycle of debt.

Ticket

We will provide you a ticket after we’ve received the collateral. The ticket is to be used when you’re paying for the loan and claiming your collateral. In the case of a lost ticket, most shops charge you a fee. Because we manage all of your information digitally, we simply look you up in our secure database, with no extra cost to you.

The Benefits of Pawn Loans

You’ve probably realized by now pawn loans offer a number of unique benefits other loans don’t.

  • They’re quick – come into our shop and get money right away.
  • You don’t need a bank account, co-signer, or credit check – only proof of identification.
  • Getting a pawn loan doesn’t have an effect on your credit, either.
  • The interest rate can’t be beaten.
  • If you cannot repay your loan, you will not be contacted by debt collectors or sued.
  • John’s offers more flexibility than other shops. We will work with you to meet your needs.

When it comes to borrowing money, it’s crucial to read the fine print. With credit card cash advances, car title loans, and payday loans, there is a lot of fine print that can land you in hot water should you not pay close enough attention. Pawn loans are significantly more transparent, with no strings attached.

Interested in getting a pawn loan? Stop by John’s Pawn Shop today, or contact us at (702) 213-3331.

4 Reasons Why Pawn Shops Are More Ethical Than You Think

Pawning their personal items isn’t exactly something people advertise. Heading to the local pawn shop to get a pawn loan isn’t, either. There’s this looming misconception pawn shops are sneaky, dirty, up to no good. In reality, though, pawn shops are more ethical than you think. Here’s why.

1. We’re Regulated by Local and State Laws

Because of the nature of our businesses, pawn shops are often considered part of the financial service industry. This means we have to abide by specific laws when it comes to things like:

  • managing money.
  • handling transactions.
  • obtaining and storing customer information.
  • setting our fees and rates, such as interest rates and storage fees.
  • how long we can hold items.

Furthermore, officials at the local and state levels do indeed keep an eye on us to ensure we are behaving in accordance with the law. Under the law, we’re not all that different from banks.

2. Pawn Shops Get State Inspections (With No Notice)

Generally speaking, regulators will show up on behalf of the state to inspect pawn shops at least once a year — almost always by surprise, too. This number can fluctuate state to state — some might hold inspections more or less frequently. However, knowing a surprise visit is always a possibility usually means pawnbrokers run a tight ship.

3. Stolen Goods Don’t Get a Spot on Our Shelves

Admittedly, many years ago, stolen items did end up in pawn shops more frequently. “Back in the day,” pawnbrokers didn’t have the technology and software we have today. Identifying and tracking stolen items was far more difficult, if at all possible.

This is no longer an issue for the following reasons:

  • We work very closely with law enforcement specifically to keep stolen goods out of our store.
  • All information is digitalized.
  • These days, most items have their own serial number, especially expensive electronics. This allows us to identify the rightful owner in the case of a stolen item.
  • The benefit of selling stolen goods is far, far outweighed by the consequences for doing so. It’s simply not worth it to a pawnbroker.

4. Pawn Shops Have a Method for Determining the Value of Your Item

Ah, yes. It’s one of the biggest questions people have when it comes to pawning an item or getting a pawn loan: How does the pawnbroker determine the value of my item?

Rest assured it’s a lot more complex than taking a quick look at your item and throwing a number out there. Look at jewelry, for instance. A pawnbroker will examine a number of factors, including:

  • what the jewelry is made of.
    • Is the metal durable or soft? Is it scratch-resistant or does it get easily damaged? Will it tarnish?
  • what stones it has.
    • Precious or semiprecious? One large stone or several smaller stones?

Keep in mind, too, that if pawn shops were looking to take advantage of you, they would accept everything and anything, but they don’t. Most shops will share on their website or over the phone what you can and cannot pawn.

While pawn shops are a lot more ethical than you might think, it still helps to work with one you really trust. John’s Pawn Shop has been in business since 1975 and above all else, we value honesty. Stop by and see us or call us at (702) 213-3331.

interest rates for most pawn shops

The Interest Rate for Our Pawn Shop Loan

If you need to get a little extra money quickly, one of the best options is taking out a pawn shop loan. However, whether it’s because they’re wary of the interest rates, embarrassed about handing over their items, or scared about not getting their valuables back, people — especially first-timers — feel intimidated about stopping by a pawn shop, and thus miss out on what is an opportunity to resolve their financial woes. Don’t let common misconceptions about pawn loans stop you from seeking one out. Let’s focus on the interest rates, and talk about how you can find the best one.

Interest Rates on Our Pawn Loans

When searching for the best pawn loan for you, it’s important to compare a few crucial factors.

  • The interest rate
  • The service fee
  • How much time you have to pay off the loan

Most pawn shops charge an average fixed rate of 13%. This means if you borrow $100, you will pay an additional $13 in interest. Pawn shops also typically charge a small service fee of $5. Lastly, most shops will allow you a period of just three months to pay off the loan. There is often little flexibility here.

interest rates for most pawn shops

At John’s Pawn Shop, we only charge an 8% interest rate.

interest rates for johns

Additionally, we can give you up to four months to pay off the loan instead of just three.

paying interest

3 Other Factors to Consider

1. The Charge for Lost Tickets

We keep our data secure, and our files — including your ticket — are all digitized. Other shops will charge you for lost tickets, but we won’t. Instead, we will simply look you up in our database. Lost tickets are not an issue and will not cost you more money.

2. How Much Money You’ll Be Loaned

Overwhelmingly due to the media’s influence, many people view pawn shops negatively. There’s this common myth saying pawn shops will attempt to devalue your item and give you less than they should, but put simply, this is false.

Pawn shops are regulated. John’s Pawn Shop abides by a number of federal laws. When you take out a pawn shop loan from us, our experts will appraise the value of your item based on the estimated amount it would sell for. We conduct careful research of your valuable’s current market value and we always offer a fair price.

More often than not, our offers are relatively higher than our competitors’.

3. The Length of Time Your Item Will Be Held

Sometimes, circumstances prevent people from paying off their loan on time. Whereas other shops might move forward with selling your item, we are open to giving you more time. We determine everything on a case-by-case basis.

Serving Las Vegas Since 1975

John’s Pawn Shop has been serving Las Vegas for 43 years now, and we remain a trusted business because of the quality of service we provide. We value our customers and we value their trust, and that’s why we always make it a point to practice honest and fair trade.

Interested in obtaining a pawn loan? We can help. Visit us online or contact us today at (702) 213-3331.

What Do Pawn Shops Buy? Here’s What You Need to Know

Customers are often surprised to learn you can’t walk into a pawn shop and pawn or get a loan for any item you’d like, even if it might be something you know could be worth a lot. It helps to know, beforehand, what a shop will and will not accept, and why. Let’s use John’s as an example.

How We Decide What Items We Can Accept

For every item we cannot accept, there’s a specific reason why. Here are some of the factors we take into consideration.

The Item’s Worth

Let’s look at silver jewelry, for instance — an item we don’t take. If we accept gold jewelry, why not silver? While it might be beautiful jewelry and even in excellent condition, there are a few reasons for this.

  • Silver is worth a fraction of what gold is.
  • This number fluctuates regularly.
  • Sterling silver is less durable, tarnishes more easily, and can tarnish.

For these reasons, silver jewelry is something we — and many other pawn shops — don’t take.

The Item’s Reliability

Let’s use printers for this example. This is another item we regularly see. Let’s think about this. How many times has your printer randomly stopped working, leaving you in a fit of anger and frustration? It’s no different for a pawnbroker. We can’t accept printers because:

  • They’re unreliable and prone to errors.
  • One small part of the machine can go on the fritz and the entire thing will stop working.
  • It’s not worth paying to repair them.

Printers simply aren’t dependable enough for most pawn shops to take.

How Complicated is the Item to Carry in the Store?

Appliances are another good example of an item people assume pawn shops will take, understandably. After all, you paid a pretty penny for that dishwasher. Some might take it. Many won’t. There are a couple reasons for this.

  • They take up a lot of space in the shop — so much, in fact, that it’s just not worth what a pawnbroker would eventually get for it, if it were to sell.
  • Shop owners can’t know with 100% certainty if an appliance works the way it should.
  • Repairing them can cost an arm and a leg.

So, What Do Pawn Shops Buy?

This is information a pawn shop will likely provide on their website. If not, you should call ahead and ask them. All shops are different! You can see the full list of items John’s will and will not take on our website, but here are just a few examples.

We will generally accept:

  • Gold jewelry
  • Diamond jewelry
  • PlayStation 4
  • Guitars

We will generally not accept:

  • Costume Jewelry
  • Smartphones
  • Tools
  • Machinery
  • Sunglasses
  • Computers

We hope this helps clear up why we’ll take some items and not others. Remember, pawn shops are not out to get you. At John’s, we pride ourselves on providing the best dollar amount for your items. Our pawn loans have the best interest rate in town, and we’ve been in business since 1975. When you walk through our doors, you’re in good hands. Contact us today! (702) 213-3331

5 Misconceptions About Pawn Shops in Las Vegas

What comes to your mind when you hear the words pawn shop? Do you picture a gloomy establishment located in the dark recesses of town, manned by a shady individual with a creepy grin that shows one or two gold teeth? Pawn shops have a bad reputation, and this is overwhelmingly due to their negative portrayal in movies and television shows. A lot of fallacies about pawn shops are going around and misleading some people into thinking they’re bad news. Let’s discern fact from fiction. Here are five common misconceptions about pawn shops in Las Vegas.

1. Pawn Shops Are Full of Stolen Goods

The fact is this: pawn shops require a special license to operate and they are all mandated to comply with a wide variety of federal, state, and local regulations. On top of that, pawn shops are obligated to cooperate with law enforcement to prevent the movement of stolen merchandise. Government-issued IDs like a driver’s license and other proof of identification are required for every transaction, and each item is scrutinized carefully before it is accepted to ensure authenticity.

Pawnbrokers are mindful of their reputation. To maintain their reliability, they make sure the items they accept are legitimate. To put it simply, stolen goods have no place in pawn shops.

2. Pawn Shops Are Out to Get You

The pawn shop’s appraisal for any collateral is based on a percentage of that item’s current market value. It is the amount the pawnbroker estimates the item would sell for. Many factors go into deciding what a product is worth, and they conduct careful research to ensure the client receives a fair price. Furthermore, there are also federal laws that work to maintain fair trade.

3. People Only Go to Pawn Shops When They’re Broke

Customers who go to pawn shops come from different financial positions. A majority of them simply need a little extra cash, and others just want to clear away some items from their home. Most of the customers prefer to go to pawn shops since they are a secure and confidential way to get cash.

It’s also more convenient than borrowing money from family and friends. Unlike banks, pawn loans do not require credit checks and no legal consequences are filed in case the loan is not repaid. Despite what some people think, 80% of the items pawned are actually reclaimed.

4. Everything for Sale at a Pawn Shop is Old or in Poor Condition

Pawnbrokers are careful about the items they accept. Each piece is professionally inspected to ensure it is authentic, in good condition, and legitimate. Despite popular belief, pawn shops are reliable places to find quality items.

Additionally, the merchandise sold at pawn shops is carefully tended to and checked to make sure it’s in excellent shape when they are put up for sale.

5. Pawn Shops Are Unregulated

There are laws implemented to regulate the operations of pawn shops. Each pawn shop is required to follow strict rules to ensure fair trade.

The pawn shop industry has been around for more than 3,000 years. It’s one of the oldest forms of consumer credit. It’s also one of the easiest and most convenient ways to acquire extra cash. A number of rules and regulations are placed to help keep the trade fair for both the customer and the business, so you can rest assured transactions are secure and reasonable.

Looking for a reputable pawn shop in Las Vegas? Contact John’s Pawn Shop at (702) 213-3335 today!

How Do Pawn Shops Determine Value for Jewelry?

How Do Pawn Shops Determine Value For Jewelry?

When you walk into a pawn shop to pawn a piece of jewelry or inquire about a pawn loan, you’ve likely already thought about what you assume you’ll get in exchange monetarily. However, brokers have a very specific way of determining what your item is worth. How do pawn shops determine value, exactly? It doesn’t simply come down to how beautiful a piece of jewelry is. In reality, there are several factors to consider when it comes to determining an item’s value. For you as the customer, it’s important to understand there is no mutual monetary value: the jewelry might be worth $1,000 to you but only $250 to the broker. Rest assured the broker isn’t trying to take advantage of you just because they won’t offer what you originally paid for it. Their decision is calculated and intentional, and it’s a decision based on the product’s inherent worth. Here are some of the qualities they will consider when making that call.

How Do Pawn Shops Determine Value?

Let’s continue to use jewelry as an example since it’s such a commonly pawned item.

What Is The Jewelry Made Of?

The metal used for the jewelry plays a huge role in determining its value, due to the qualities and demand of each. Is the jewelry silver? If so, it might be in great condition since silver is strong, but it doesn’t compare to gold, which is going to be worth more. It’s more durable, scratch-resistant, and it won’t tarnish. How pure is the gold — is it 10k, 14k, 18k? The higher the karat, the more valuable it is. Taking this one step further, there are multiple types of gold: yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and green gold. This could also play a factor in determining the value of your jewelry. For example, yellow gold is the purest of the golds, so it might be valued differently. Rose gold tends to be more affordable because it’s made with copper, which costs less, but it’s also very popular at the moment.

What Stones Does It Have?

Aside from the metal, a broker will also examine the stones on your jewelry. Diamonds are a popular choice when purchasing jewelry, and they reign supreme at the pawn shop. If it’s not a diamond, is it another precious stone, like a ruby, sapphire, or emerald? Maybe your jewelry is adorned with semiprecious stones, like turquoise, pearl, amethyst, blue topaz, amber, or jade. Generally speaking, precious gemstones are rarer than semiprecious, so they could very well be worth more. It’s not just the stone itself that matters, though. Beyond this, one must consider the color and weight. One bigger stone is going to be worth more than several smaller ones, since one large stone of high quality is typically more expensive. Also, where did the jewelry come from — is it a designer piece? Is there a pricey name attached to it? This might mean you stand to gain more from it.

Finding The Right Pawn Shop For You

Are you looking to pawn your belongings or get a pawn loan? When you find the right people to work with, the process is easy. There are countless pawn shops in Las Vegas, but we offer the lowest interest rate and the greatest flexibility. Contact John’s Pawn Shop today.

6 Things Everyone Should Know Before Going to a Pawn Shop

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

1. What does a pawn store do?

A pawn store’s core business is making collateral loans. Pawn shops offer loans, secured by something of value. The pawn shop may have other business elements such as retail sales of jewelry, watches, guns, electronics and other items. However, pawnbrokers focus on lending money based on valuables.

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 usually a pawn ticket fee ($5 in most states). 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 resale 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 $100 pawn loan at 13% would cost about $13 in interest each month. Many Pawn shops  offer a 90 day loan, but you can redeem your item at any time. The minimum interest charges would be for one month. Compare that to an overdraft fee or a credit card late fee that may negatively affect your credit. Be sure to shop around for the best rate and loan amount, especially if you will need the loan for more than just one month. John’s Loan and Jewelry in Las Vegas for instance offers the lowest pawn loan rate in their area, 8% a month for a four month term as opposed to other shops that charge 13% per month for a three month loan.

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. Call the pawn shop you plan on visiting to see if they accept the item of value that you have. Some pawn shops only accept certain types of items like gold jewelry or brand name watches.

6. What happens if I don’t repay my loan?

Defaulting on a pawn 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.

Pawn stores have been providing a safety net to families that encounter sudden financial emergencies with simple collateral loans. These vital, small-dollar loans can be made in a few minutes and are simply not offered by banks and other traditional lending institutions.

VAY NỢ – BẠN – MUA – CÁM DỖ

Quý khách có những món đồ quí như vòng vàng, silverware, gold coin… không dùng, chúng tôi sẽ lại với giá cao.

Đồng hồ, nhân, kim cương, dây chuyền vàng, cẩm thạch, nếu cần tiền, quí vị xin đến tiệm John’s Loan để bán, hoặc cầm với giá cao hơn tất cả các nơi khác.

Chúng tôi có BÁN rất nhiều hột xoan, vàng 24, 18, cẩm thạch,các loại đồng hồ như Rolex, Cartier, Bulova, với giá thật rẻ.

THÀNH THẬT, VUI VẺ, KÍN ĐÁO

CHO MƯỢN LẠI
VỚI TIỀN LỜI
THẤP NHẤP NHẤT VÙNG