Shopping Smarter, Not Harder

4 Things You Should Never Pawn

25 May 2022

Willie Shaw

When you are strapped for cash and need money fast, the temptation to pawn your possessions can be great. However, there are some items that you should never bring to a pawnbroker under any circumstances. Here are four items that don't belong at local pawn shops:

Items from an active divorce case

If you are going through a divorce, it is best not to pawn any belongings just yet. You may need them later in the proceedings, especially if your ex claims they purchased the items.

Pawning items from your divorce can also complicate matters if you live in a community property state. In these states, anything acquired during the marriage is considered joint property and must be divided equally between spouses. If you pawn something that was purchased during the marriage, your ex could end up owning half of it.

Business equipment that belongs to your employer

If you own or work for a business, never pawn any business equipment. This is considered theft and could get you into legal trouble. You could also get fired from your job if your employer finds out you pawned company property.

Even if you are no longer employed by the company, it is best to avoid pawning business equipment. Many companies keep track of their equipment and may try to recover it from you later on.

Pawning business equipment can also complicate any future employment opportunities. If a potential employer runs a background check and finds out you pawned company property, they may not want to hire you.

Stolen items

If you suspect you have a stolen item in your possession, do not try to pawn it! You can be caught and prosecuted, even if you didn't steal it yourself. For example, if you purchased a stolen item from a digital marketplace, bringing it to a pawnbroker can cause major problems for you.

Local pawn shops often keep a directory of serial numbers and item descriptions for stolen goods. This makes it hard to get away with selling items that are stolen.

Hazardous materials

Pawnbrokers will not accept any items that are considered hazardous. This includes things like flammable liquids, explosives, and toxic chemicals.

Some items may not be considered hazardous but can still pose a risk to pawn shop employees. For example, if you try to pawn a propane tank, the staff may not know how to properly dispose of it. This could lead to an accident or a fire.

If you are not sure whether or not an item is considered hazardous, it is best to err on the side of caution and not bring it to the pawn shop.

These are just a few items that don't belong at local pawn shops. If you have questions, reach out to a local pawnbroking shop, such as https://www.mainepawn.net/, for help.

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