Whether you’re looking for an antique guitar, a rare watch or a new laptop, the aisles of a local pawn shop are filled with valuables that have been given up by other people. These items are known as treasure troves, and each one has a story to tell.

Many of these local pawn experts are featured on the Discovery Channel series Pawn Stars, which features Corey Harrison and Austin “Chumlee” Russell working as a team to appraise, buy and sell items at their Las Vegas-based store. The show also includes calls in from professional specialists, such as a metalsmith or an expert in antique swords.

Independent pawnbrokers are regulated by state and federal laws, including the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Truth-in-Lending Act, and most pawnshops provide local law enforcement with data on all transactions daily. Pawn loans are backed by personal property and, in most states, require repayment within 30 days. If you don’t pay back the loan, the pawnbroker will sell the item to recover the money.

Why Choose an Online Jewelry Pawn Shop?

Pawning an item is usually a good idea if you need quick cash and don’t want to resort to payday loans or credit cards, which can have much higher interest rates. Just be aware that if you default on the loan, the item will be sold to a collector and can damage your credit score. It’s also important to know that a pawn shop will often take far less than an item is actually worth, and overpaying could cost you more in the long run.