Your local pawn shop can be an excellent resource if you are short on cash or need to meet an unexpected expense. Bring in something valuable that you don't need anymore – jewelry you don't wear, electronics you don't need anymore – and either sell it directly or pawn it for a temporary loan. Pawning an item is especially inviting because you don't have to give up your jewelry or electronics permanently. But what happens if you don't reclaim your pawned item? 

What Pawning an Item Means

Unlike selling your items outright, when you pawn an item, you place it up as collateral for a temporary loan. Just as with any collateralized loan, such as a car loan or a mortgage loan, you own the item as long as you continue paying your loan and successfully pay off the loan. In the case of a car or mortgage loan, the collateral is what you purchased with the loan (the car or home). In the case of a pawn loan, you use the proceeds of the loan for other purchases or needs. 

What If I Default or Don't Reclaim My Pawned Item?

Like a car loan or mortgage, if you default on your pawn loan, you will lose the item you placed as collateral. In the case of a pawn loan, however, you have one additional step after you repay your loan: you must reclaim your item. In the case of a car or your home, you have your collateral with you through the life of the loan. The pawn shop holds your pawned item during your loan period. If you fail to reclaim your item after paying off your loan, the pawn shop will consider it to be an abandoned item and will likely offer it up for sale. 

It's important to review your pawn loan contract when you pawn your items. Your pawn shop may offer a buffer period if you default on your loan to help you catch up and not lose your items. Likewise, your pawnshop will have a specific period they will hold your item after you pay off your loan before they consider the item abandoned. 

What Can I Do to Ensure I Don't Default on My Pawn Loan?

Excepting circumstances outside of your control, there are steps you can take when you seek a pawn loan to help ensure that you are able to pay off your loan. 

• Review your budget to ensure that you can make the necessary payments on your pawn loan
• Only take out a loan for what you need to help keep your loan and payments as low as possible.
• Consider selling your items outright if you can't afford regular payments in your budget, or sell some items and pawn others to lower the amount of money that you need to borrow.

At Cash Express, we want to ensure our customers in Philadelphia are happy with their experience working with us. We will answer your questions about pawning your item and review the terms of your pawn agreement to ensure you are comfortable and happy with your pawn loan and that it can meet your needs. 

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