Frequently asked questions
HOW DOES A PAWN LOAN WORK?
Pawn loans are a quick and easy way to borrow money without a credit check or hassle. Loans are based on the value of your collateral, not your credit rating or pay schedule. Subject to individual state laws, a typical pawn loan may have a term length of 30 days/one month, plus a 30-day/one month grace period. If you cannot pay back your loan in full, including any applicable grace period, we offer extensions/renewals (where permitted by state law) to give you extra time. You may also choose to surrender your collateral as payment in full.
We loan on a variety of items, including gold and diamond jewelry, electronics, musical instruments, tools, and more. Simply bring us an item of value, along with a valid photo ID and we’ll get you money in minutes after your loan is approved.
WHAT IS AN EXTENSION?
If you are unable to pay back your loan in full on its due date, you may be able to get an extension on your loan. With an extension, you will be required to pay a portion of the interest owed, then you may extend the length of your loan for as many days as allowed by state law.
WHAT IS A RENEWAL?
If you are unable to pay back your loan in full on its due date, you may get a renewal. With a renewal, you pay the interest that has accrued on your loan in full, and a new loan is written. The principal loan amount remains the same, as does the interest rate, but the due date is reset for the full loan term.
WILL I LOSE MY MERCHANDISE?
The majority of our customers repay their pawn loans and pick up their merchandise. If a customer chooses not to repay the loan, the merchandise/collateral for the loan is forfeited.
We will also purchase items of value if you do not want to get a pawn loan.
HOW DO YOU DETERMINE AN ITEM’S WORTH?
We base pawn loan amounts on the value of your item—its current appraised value, its current condition and our ability to sell the item. We use all the research tools we have at our disposal to determine an item’s value and get you the most money we can.
The better the condition of your item, the more money we can loan you. This is true for any collateral.
HOW DO YOU DETERMINE THE VALUE OF JEWELRY?
When jewelry is the collateral we test the precious metals and diamonds to determine its worth.
The diamond testing includes a visual inspection using a jeweler’s loupe, weighing the item, sizing (determining carat weight) any stones, and noting the cut/color/clarity of each—you may know this as the 4 Cs.
HOW DO YOU DETERMINE THE PRICE OF GOLD?
The price of gold is based on market values, the price for which is routinely reviewed and updated. Prices can vary greatly as the loan amount for 24K gold is significantly higher than that of 14K gold.
CAN YOU GIVE A QUOTE ON AN ITEM OVER THE PHONE?
Unfortunately, we cannot give quotes over the phone because loan amounts vary greatly depending on the condition of an item. For general merchandise, we test each item to ensure it is in good working condition. This includes, but is not limited to, a visual inspection, plugging an item in and turning it on, and noting if any necessary accessories and manuals are included. The better the condition of your item, the more money we can loan. And for jewelry, we test to ensure diamonds and gold are genuine. This testing includes a visual inspection using a jeweler’s loupe, weighing the item, sizing (determining carat weight) any diamonds, and noting the cut/color/clarity of each—you may know this as the 4 Cs. In addition, we test the metal using a special acid that determines the karat of gold.
WHY DOES THE LOAN AMOUNT DIFFER FROM THE SELLING PRICE AT LOCAL RETAILERS OR EVEN CASH AMERICA/SUPERPAWN?
Our loan values are based on pre-owned retail prices, not what the item cost when it was new. Any collateral that is turned over to us and made available for sale is pre-owned and will be priced accordingly on our sales floor. The loan amount we give you is based on that selling price—and our ability to sell the item.
We offer you as much as we can while still allowing room to pay for the cost of storage, insurance and other costs of doing business.
IS MY COLLATERAL SAFE WHILE IN PAWN?
While your item is in pawn, you still own it. It is our responsibility to keep it safe and in good condition while it’s in our care. When you give us an item for pawn, we keep all accessories (remote controls, cables, etc.) with your item and place it in a secure area. Your item is safely stored here until you come back to pay your loan in full and claim your merchandise. Mid Florida Gold and Gun shops are fully insured for the loan value of the collateral we keep.
ARE PAWNSHOPS REGULATED?
Yes. States have regulated the pawn industry for decades, and most pawnbrokers are licensed and regulated by local authorities as well. We are subject to such laws as Truth In Lending Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Patriot Act, and Federal Trade Commission Rules on Data Privacy and Security Transfer, as well as Federal Firearms Licenses for shops that deal with firearms. At the federal level, we are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Treasury Department.
ARE PAWNSHOPS STOCKED WITH STOLEN MERCHANDISE?
No. Less than 1 percent of items are identified as stolen goods. Pawnshops are actually the worst place to try and get rid of stolen merchandise, despite what you see on television or in the movies. Pawnshops are highly regulated, work very closely with local and federal law enforcement officials, and train their staff to be on the lookout for and identify stolen property. In addition, Trader's Pawn Shop electronically transmits data on all of transactions daily.
