What are your store hours?
We are open Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 6:00pm, and 9:00am to 2:00pm on Saturdays. We are closed on Sundays.
What items do you buy or pawn?
The two largest categories are jewelry (precious metals & gems) and firearms. We also take current model electronics such as flat screen TVs, DVD and Blu-Ray player/recorders, digital cameras, video cameras, iPads, tablets and much more. Musical instruments and equipment, tools, power tools, video games, DVDs -- the list goes on and on. If you are not sure, call us or use our
contact form.
Note: You may NOT pawn or sell any rented items or items that still have an unpaid balance on them.
What is the difference between pawning and selling?
A pawn is a cash loan with the right to redeem the items you pledge after paying the original pawn loan amount and any service/interest charges due. You still own the items that you pawn unless you default on the loan. Ownership / title passes to the pawnbroker ONLY if you default.
There is no damage to your credit if you fail to redeem a pawn loan.
Selling your item to a pawnbroker means you give up ownership of your item immediately and it becomes the property of the pawnbroker.
Will pawning or selling get me the most money for my item?
Usually selling - If there is no sentimental value or reason that you wish to keep ownership of an item, then selling is the way to go. Pawning means you still want to own your item. If you pawn an item with no intention of picking it up, the pawnbroker must wait 90 days until the pawn contract expires before he may recoup the money he has loaned. Because of this, a pawnbroker will sometimes bid less on a pawn.
If I come in to pawn or sell something, how long does it take?
On average, the time would be approximately 10 minutes start to finish.
What paperwork do I need to bring to get a pawn loan or to sell my items?
Identification. A non-expired government approved ID with photo such as driver's license, state ID (non-driver), or passport. Since there is no credit check, nothing else is required. One thing to remember, if you are pawning a firearm, your ID must have your current address and you must be able to pass the FBI background check to be able to redeem and pick up.
What are the terms of a pawn loan?
Minimum age is 18. In Missouri, a pawn is a 30-day secured credit loan. Any time during the 30-day period the loan can be redeemed for the principal amount loaned plus the service/interest charges. If the pledgor cannot pay the full amount, paying the service/interest charges only will extend the due date to the next 30-day period. If the pledgor allows the pawn loan to become a total of 90 days past due, then the items pledged in pawn become the property of the pawnbroker.
A pledgor has no obligation to redeem the pledged goods or make any payment on a pawn transaction.
Is the information about my pawn loan secure and confidential?
Yes, State and Federal law regulates the privacy of your transaction with us and we have procedures in place to safeguard your information.
What if I lose my pawn ticket?
Come in and notify us immediately! According to Missouri Statute, ANY person presenting a pawn ticket shall be presumed to be entitled to the items in pawn. Upon notifying us of the loss of the pawn ticket, our customer service staff can guide you through the process of replacing the ticket to avoid losing your item in pawn.
Will you contact me if my pawn loan is about to expire?
As a courtesy, we will send you a text message three days prior to the day your pawn loan comes due. If you do not wish us to send a reminder, please tell us at the time the loan is made.
If I already have a pawn loan at Family 1st Pawn, can I get another?
Yes. There is no restriction on the number of pawn loans that you may have with us.
How safe are my items in pawn?
At Family 1st Pawn, all pawned jewelry and firearms are stored in our vault and are not removed until they are redeemed or the pawn has forfeited. All other items are held in storage facilities that are entrance-restricted. We have one of the most extensive electronic security systems in the area. Your items are safe!
Do most people lose their pawned items?
The majority of all pawn loans, approximately 85%, are redeemed. Modern pawnbrokers find it in their best interest to have you among the majority of people who redeem their loans rather than going through the hassle of cleaning, pricing, advertising, selling and paying an employee commission to convert your item back into cash for future loans. Having you as a repeat loan customer is the goal rather than owning your merchandise.
What about stolen goods?
The thief’s worst enemy is the modern pawnshop. Pawnshops are required to get positive identification, such as a driver's license, state ID (non-driver's license), passport, etc. on anyone pawning or selling merchandise. In Missouri, we upload the descriptive information on every item we pawn or purchase including all serial numbers that are visible to a law enforcement data base. Like us, most modern pawnshops are well lit and have numerous video cameras running 24 hours a day -- not the type of place a thief would go to get rid of stolen merchandise. Because of this, our percentage of "ill gotten" goods is a very small fraction of a percentage of all the items we take in.
Are pawnshops regulated?
Yes. States have regulated the pawn industry for decades, and 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 Licensing. 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.
