Pawnbrokers

At the Bronx branch of NY Pawnbrokers, owner Blaine Messinger deals in wares ranging from bicycles to a $3,500 fur coat of indeterminate species.

Holidays at the Pawn Shop Anne Kadet 2011

Pawnbrokers don't "pay" much for the merchandise to begin with: They'll typically lend less than $400 on an item worth $1,000.

Holidays at the Pawn Shop Anne Kadet 2011

Aside from the bulletproof pawn windows, Gem Pawnbrokers on Eighth Avenue looks like any mainstream jewelry store—one that also happens to sell used saxophones and $3 DVDs.

Holidays at the Pawn Shop Anne Kadet 2011

Pawnbrokers found their pledges being unredeemed as the crisis worsened.

Irish famine 2009

Pawnbrokers are expected to see their customer bases swell because more consumers are being cut off from conventional sources of credit as lenders take fewer risks in a slowing economy.

Pawnbroker Firm Sees Boom Time 2008

Pawnbrokers loan small sums of money for short periods of time against a borrower's personal possessions, such as a gold chain or a stereo system.

Pawnbroker Firm Sees Boom Time 2008

Pawnbrokers also are roping in a new type of customer -- small-business owners who are having trouble obtaining credit from retail banks and instead opt for pawnbroker payouts to secure financing.

Pawnshops Grab Andrea Hotter 2008

Check if the broker is a member of the National Pawnbrokers Association nationalpawnbrokers.org.

How To Buy & Sell just about Everything Jeff Wuorio 2003

Check if the broker is a member of the National Pawnbrokers Association nationalpawnbrokers.org.

How To Buy & Sell just about Everything Jeff Wuorio 2003

Check if the broker is a member of the National Pawnbrokers Association nationalpawnbrokers.org.

How To Buy & Sell just about Everything Jeff Wuorio 2003