Need some quick cash? Everyone does from time to time.

Whether you have had an emergency car repair (maybe because of the many potholes that plague Dayton, OH’s roads?) or are just clearing out your clutter, consider going to a pawn shop.

Pawn shops have gotten a bad rap over the years. People think they’re seedy, crooked, or filled with unsavory characters. In reality, pawn shops are clean, attractive, and welcoming places to do business — just like any other retail store.

Some 30,000 Americans routinely frequent pawn shops. They are a great place not only to sell your items, but also to buy items at a discount. So what are some of the best things to pawn if you live in Dayton, OH?

Should You Pawn or Sell?

One thing that is important to understand is that pawn shops don’t work like consignment stores or selling an item on eBay. There are two ways to exchange your valuable items for cash: pawning and selling outright.

When you bring in an item to pawn, what you’re actually doing is handing over collateral for a short-term loan. If the pawn store employee feels that your item is valuable, he may offer you a certain amount of money. You agree to return at some future date to repay this “loan” and receive your item back, or to forfeit the goods if you can’t pay up.

Dayton, OH pawn shops may also purchase your valuables outright. This is not usually as lucrative as pawning, but shop around and explore your options before making any decisions.

What Are the Best Things to Pawn?

The odds are good that you have some of these valuable items lying around. So clean out the garage and go hunting in the attic, and see what you can find!

Jewelry

This is by far the most popular item to pawn. Many people have jewelry they’ve inherited from a loved one, or been given by an ex, that they no longer wear. Turn Aunt Mildred’s engagement ring into cash that you can use the way you want to.

Firearms

Maybe you have a collection of hunting guns, or you just want to get rid of that pistol now that you’ve got kids. Take your firearms to a Dayton, OH pawn shop. Weaponry is fairly easy and lucrative to pawn, since it’s always in demand.

Electronics

Electronics are also desirable — both by pawn shops and their customers. So if you have a smartphone, gaming system, flat screen TV, laptop, or other electronic device that you don’t really need, consider bringing it to a pawn shop.

Tools

High-quality tools can be expensive if you buy them off the shelves of a hardware store. For this reason, pawn shops will often buy tools. Power tools, which can last for a lifetime if they are made by a reputable manufacturer, are especially in demand.

Just make sure that any power tool works before you take it to a pawn shop!

Musical Instruments

Lastly, musical instruments are a pretty steady seller at pawn shops. Maybe you took up the electric guitar in high school, but no longer have time to play. Or you simply can’t find space to set up your drums.

Exchange these instruments for a quick cash infusion at your local pawn shop.

Final Thoughts

If you have ever browsed, bought, or sold in a pawn shop in Dayton, OH, what was the experience like for you?

What are the best things to pawn, in your opinion? Let us know in the comments!