Pawning your items is one of the easiest ways to access extra cash quickly. You only need to gather the items you are willing to use as collateral and have them evaluated at a reliable pawn shop.
This article lists the 50 most popular items to pawn in Canada, including things you didn’t know you could pawn.
Key Takeaways
- Some of the most popular items to pawn for money include jewelry, watches, smartphones and antiques.
- The advantages of pawning items are getting instant cash and not affecting your credit score even if you default on the loan.
- Pawn shops won’t buy items that are illegal, non-authentic, stolen and don’t have much resale value.
Popular Items To Pawn For Money
Let’s start this list with the common household things pawn shops always buy.
1. Jewelry
Pieces of jewelry are classics in the world of pawning. They’re always in demand in pawn shops as they’re easy to resell. To get the most cash, aim to pawn jewelry accessories that are made with diamonds, gold or platinum.
2. Watches
Authentic luxury watches from brands like Cartier or Rolex can get you a quick decent-amount loan. Some pawn shops also accept digital watches, like Apple Watch.
3. Clothing
As surprising as it may seem, many pawn shops allow you to pawn clothes. However, often, only vintage and high-end designer clothing are accepted.
4. Smartphones
You can easily pawn both new and old smartphones. Don’t expect a lot of cash, though, if your device is several years old already.
5. Antiques
Pawn shops are experts at seeing the value of antiques. Just be sure to call before bringing large-sized items, as some pawn shops might not have enough space in their storage to accommodate your item.
6. Musical Instruments
Instruments are also great collateral for pawnshop loans. You can pretty much pawn every professional musical instrument there is, as long as they’re in good condition.
7. Power Tools
Branded power tools such as drills, lawnmowers, and generators are popular items most pawn shops accept. Clean your tools thoroughly before pawning them to get the best quotation.
8. Game Consoles
Vintage gaming consoles and new ones, like the PS5, are pawnable in most pawn shops.
9. Vintage Video Games
New games won’t really pawn well, as their retail value isn’t that high, but old game cartridges for vintage gaming systems are very much in demand in pawn shops.
10. Engagement Rings
If you can bear temporarily parting ways with sentimental items, consider pawning your engagement rings for quick cash. Rings are some of the easiest jewelry to appraise, so you’ll get your money with little to no delay.
11. New Makeup
Unused makeup collections are also accepted by some pawn shops. Just prepare your proof of purchase, as some pawnbrokers require them to verify the authenticity of your products and to ensure that they have not expired.
12. Art
Popular and rare art collections will have unmatched values when pawned. Always try to get your art appraised by several pawn shops to avoid getting lowballed.
13. Books
Pawning your vintage, rare, or sentimental book collections is another great way to obtain quick cash without having to part with your books permanently.
14. Typewriters
Many collectors and writers still seek typewriters. Hence, most pawn shops welcome typewriters with open arms, especially if they’re rare or vintage.
15. Furniture
Your furniture doesn’t have to be antique for you to pawn it. Regular tables, couches, and desks can also be pawned as long as they’re in decent condition.
16. Toys
Toys, especially large-sized ones, such as swing sets, are another excellent quick-cash generator when pawned.
17. Holiday Decorations
Occasionally-used items, like holiday decorations, are one of the best goods to pawn. You can reclaim these items before the holiday they’re meant for, so you won’t miss out when pawning them.
18. Sporting Goods
Baseball bats, bowling balls, and pretty much any decent sporting equipment are another set of high-demand items to pawn. They won’t generate as much value as other items. But sporting goods are always at the top of my head when I think about what I can pawn for 20 bucks.
19. Pet Supplies
If your furry friend has outgrown some of their toys, clothes, or bed, you can pawn them for some extra cash.
20. Office Equipment
Office equipment like printers, office chairs and desks are in demand all year long. Hence, they’re also some of the most popular items to pawn.
What Do Pawn Shops Buy For The Most Money?
If you want to generate the most money by pawning, here’s a list of the best things to consider bringing to pawn shops.
21. Precious Metals
Precious metals like platinum, silver, and gold appreciate over time. So, even if they’re not moulded into pieces of jewelry yet, pawn shops will offer you decent money.
22. Gemstones and Rare Minerals
Like precious metals, gemstones like emeralds and diamonds usually appreciate in value over time and are one of Canada’s most high-demand pawn items.
23. Collectibles
Regardless of the niche of your collectibles, pawn shops will usually accept them as collateral. The rarer your collectibles are, the more money you’ll get.
24. Coins
Coins made with precious metals or old currency coins are also things pawn shops always buy. The amount you get depends on several factors, including your coins’ conditions and whether they’re currently in demand.
25. Discontinued Canadian Bills
You can pawn your old Canadian bank notes for more than their face value. Some discontinued $1 or $2 even sell for thousands of bucks. So, if your bank notes are rare enough, you can easily loan hundreds of dollars.
26. Vintage Tech
Discontinued, rare pieces of tech are at the top of the list of many vintage collectors, making them one of the best money-making pawns you can try.
27. DJ Equipment
DJ equipment like turntables, mixers, and speakers are usually expensive. Hence, you won’t have a hard time pawning them as long as they’re in working condition.
28. Refrigerators
One of the best things to pawn from your house is your refrigerator. Before you bring it to a pawnshop, though, verify whether they accept big appliances, as some simply don’t have the space for refrigerators.
29. Tablets
Most pawnbrokers accept tablets as collateral, as they’re always in high demand.
30. Snowboards
Pawn shops are among the first places people check for affordable snow sports equipment. So, most pawnbrokers will loan you a decent amount of cash for your snowboards.
31. Laptops
Laptops have a generally high retail value, so if your laptop is in good working condition, you can easily receive several hundred dollars.
32. Fitness Equipment
Fitness equipment, such as treadmills and stationary bikes, are also high-demand pawn items that can help you loan a good amount of money without time-consuming appraisal processes.
33. Hunting and Fishing Equipment
If you’re into hunting and fishing, you can pawn your tools for quick cash. Bringing the original packaging of your equipment may increase the value you get.
34. Camping Equipment
Camping equipment like sleeping bags, tents, and coolers are another set of pawnable goods with decent value. Many pawn shops offer more money during the summer months when camping is trendy.
35. Flatscreen TVs
Flatscreen TVs have good resale value, so you won’t have a hard time finding pawn shops that’ll offer you a good amount for them.
36. Cameras
Pawn shops are likely to approve loans for cameras that have been used gently. Models from popular brands such as Canon can usually fetch you better prices.
37. Cars
Visit pawn shops that exclusively transact with pawned vehicles to get the best deals. Remember, though, that you might need to pay for your car’s storage on top of the usual interest rates.
38. Home Audio Equipment
Pawn your home speakers, soundbars, and smart speakers for decent cash. Wireless speakers are usually the highest-valued items in this category.
39. Designer Glasses
Designer glasses are high-demand pawn items that can win you a decent amount of money. Scratches and other damages can significantly lower the value of these items, so keep them damage-free as much as possible.
What Can I Pawn For 500 Dollars?
If you need access to at least 500 dollars before the day ends, these are the best items you should pawn.
40. Old Comics
Don’t estimate how much old comic books are valued. The most expensive vintage comics are sold for millions of dollars. Hence, getting half a grand for your own comic collection is possible.
41. Vintage Board Games
Well-preserved vintage board games from the 20th century can easily win you a loan of over $500. Bring your board games to pawn shops specializing in vintage and antique collections to get the most value.
42. Sports Cards
Rare sports cards can help you pawn hundreds and thousands of dollars in just one transaction. Just be sure to have the necessary certifications to prove that your sports card is legitimate.
43. Vinyl Sets
Despite the overwhelming popularity of digital music, vinyl sets are still highly valued by collectors, making them all-year-long high-demand pawn items.
44. Vintage Dolls
Another set of collectibles that can be surprisingly expensive are vintage dolls. Find a pawnshop that specializes in this area to get a fair deal.
45. Designer Bags
Of course, I can’t skip over some of the most popular collections of the modern age, designer bags. Evaluations are usually free, so bring your bag to several pawn shops to get the best quotation.
46. Offroad Vehicles
Offroad vehicles also got a special spot in specialized auto pawn shops. They’ll bring you good money, but heads up, pawn shops that cater to these items may be hard to find.
47. Snowmobiles
Pawn shops with secure warehouses will often lend you over $500 if you put your snowmobile as collateral.
48. Vintage Sneakers
Regular sneakers usually cost less than $300, but vintage and collectible sneakers are auctioned in the thousands. So, if you pawn one of them, loaning you more than $500 would be a no-brainer for pawnbrokers.
49. High-End Bicycles
Luxury bicycles with retail values in the thousands can also be pawned for hundreds of dollars. Some pawn shops may even offer half or more than your bike’s original price.
50. Musical Memorabilia
Pawning signed merch from famous and legendary musicians is another easy way to access fast cash. For these items, visiting pawn shops specializing in the audio/music niche is best.
What Will Pawn Shops Not Buy?
It seems like pawn shops will buy almost anything and everything. However, these institutions also have strict guidelines and standards.
So, pawnbrokers will reject your items if they fall into the categories below:
- Illegal
- Stolen
- Broken/flawed
- Non-authentic
Moreover, most pawn shops won’t buy items that are too common or cheap. Those usually include items like regular DVDs, clothes, helmets, and backpacks. After all, these things have very low demand, and they’re available in most thrift stores for just a couple of bucks.
How To Make Money Pawning Your Stuff
Making money for pawning your stuff isn’t complicated. All you have to do is bring the items you want to pawn to a reputable pawn shop, then get them appraised by the pawnbroker.
Knowing how much you can loan for the items you’ll put up as collateral usually only takes minutes. Once you and the appraiser agree on the price, both parties can sign the agreement, which summarizes the amount involved and the transaction period.
Most pawn shops in Canada only require you to show two valid IDs to proceed with a pawn transaction.
Note: If you don’t repay your loan within the specified redemption period, the pawn shop gains ownership of the item you pawned.
Pros And Cons Of Pawning Items
Pros
- Instant cash access
- No credit score prerequisite
- Defaulting on the loan doesn’t affect your credit score
Cons
- Doesn’t build your credit
- Higher interest rates than personal loans
- Often than not, you can’t loan a lot of money
- Losing your pawned item when you don’t pay on time
Alternatives To Pawn Shops
If pawning doesn’t sound like the best option for your quick cash needs, these are a few alternatives.
Personal Loans: You may secure quick funding by borrowing from online lenders, who can release loans within 24 hours. Like pawn shops, they typically approve loans regardless of your credit score.
Selling Online: Sometimes, instead of pawning, it’s better to sell your items, especially if you don’t see yourself using them again. This way, you’ll get more lump sum in exchange for your goods and won’t have to worry about repaying a loan plus its interest.
Credit Cards: For the fastest and easiest way to access extra cash in a pinch, simply use your credit card. If you don’t have one yet, visit or contact your bank. Often, it’ll take less than a day to get an approved new credit card from your bank.
Is Pawning Your Stuff Worth It?
Pawning your stuff is worth it if you urgently need extra cash and don’t have other alternatives. However, I don’t recommend pawning your things for a long-term solution for your financial needs.
The loans you usually get by pawning have high-interest rates, and you’ll lose the rights to your item if you miss the deadline.
To borrow instant cash with lower risks, consider the 3 alternatives I recommended above.
FAQs
It depends on whether you plan on repaying the loan. If you don’t want to repay your loan, selling your item is better as you’ll receive more money. However, pawning is better if you know you can repay the loan on time and don’t want to let go of your item permanently.
It depends on the condition of your air fryer. Most pawn shops accept cooking appliances that are in good condition. However, it’s not rare for pawnbrokers to not accept appliances like air fryers if they no longer have high resale value.
No, you can’t. Pawn shops usually have expert appraisers to determine the jewelry’s authenticity and value before proceeding with a pawn agreement.
Pawning can be a good idea to get instant cash. However, it also has drawbacks, such as the risk of losing your item. So, it’s not always the best option to access extra money.
Related: Best Places to Sell Your Jewelry.
