8 Critical Strategies Every Pawnbroker Should Know 

May 06, 2021

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The pawnshop industry has been growing steadily over the last few years, with more and more people turning to pawn shops for financial help. The pawn business is no longer just about buying an item. It's also about providing short-term loans to those in need of quick cash. This article will discuss some critical strategies that you should implement as a pawnbroker.

 

#1 As a pawnbroker, you should know the value of items in your inventory.

 

This will allow you to properly inform customers and make them feel confident that they can trust you with their valuables until they get back on their feet financially. You don't want to lose out when selling an item because it was overpriced or not priced at all!

 

#2 Your pawnshop needs signage that is easily readable by both cars driving by and pedestrians walking down the sidewalk.

Ensure customers see what type of business you are in so there's no confusion about where people need to go for help. Many pawnbrokers fail to make their signage readable by pedestrians, leaving people in the dark about what they need to do when they come into the store.

 

It would be best if you also had clear descriptions of the prices of your items.

 

#3 Have a professional-looking website with detailed descriptions of each item in your shop and describe how this service works: do I just come into your store, or do I need to call first?

Do you want to be the pawnshop that a potential customer cannot find on Google?

That would never work.

 

We recommend listing your location on all of your marketing materials and website, so people can easily find where to go if they need our services. There is no excuse for not having information about how this service works; if someone has questions such as when their items will get back or what types of payments we accept, it's always good to have those answers available. This way, customers are happy because they know everything upfront and may come looking for you by name!

 

#4 Think about your pawnshop as a business because it is one.

You always want to be looking for new ways of improving the customer experience so that people feel like they're getting their money's worth and coming back again in the future. Here are 3 important pointers:

  • You have to keep your business goals in mind and monitor trends that are happening throughout the industry.

  • By thinking of how people will perceive your pawnshop, it's easier to determine what will work best--even if it doesn't seem like a big deal at first glance.

  • It can also help with any marketing initiatives so that they're tailored to who you want as customers rather than just anyone on the street.

Think about your pawnshop as a business because it is one! If success is based solely on customer experience, this point must not be overlooked or taken lightly by owners/managers alike.

 

#5 Have an online presence through social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram!

If you are using these platforms to run ads, make sure not to overspend with expensive banners but also don't skimp on the design either; customers will see this and think less of what you have in stock everything looks amateurish in comparison.

 

#6 Ensure every employee knows how much it costs when someone doesn't pay off their loan (both financially and emotionally).

You can't expect your employees to know this information without being told. It's easy for pawnshop owners who are business-minded and good communicators to assume that their staff knows all the ins and outs of running a successful pawnshop. Still, every employee must understand how important they are in making sure people don't lose money or get in trouble with financial institutions because they didn't pay off their loans when scheduled.

It makes sense if you consider what happens when someone doesn't pay off his loan. Not only does he end up owing more than he borrowed initially (plus interest), but now there is a debt on his credit report, which could affect future employment opportunities. Not paying back a loan also might cause family members to lose out on scholarships and might make it challenging to get a mortgage.

 

It's not just customers who are affected by the success of a pawnshop; employees have their reasons for wanting things to run smoothly as well. That's why they need training in how important customer service is, what happens when someone doesn't pay back loans or pawns, and how the pawnshop can help people in their communities.

 

#7 Always make sure you have a customer service team or a team member who can answer phone calls.

Don't ever let it go to voicemail!

 

Make yourself or one of your employees available to speak with any customers looking for more information or clarification on their pawning experience. By making themselves available at all times, pawnbrokers are more likely to close deals quicker, leading to higher profits! This also allows customers an opportunity to ask any questions or clarify what's going on before finalizing anything.

 

#8 Keep up with the latest pawn trends in other states so that you can always be ahead of the game when it comes time for legislation that may affect how people do business in your state!

Research new laws as soon as possible after they pass, even those which are passed further away than others. Often, the members of the pawn industry do not feel the effects of a new law until months later when people are looking to pawn or buy from your store.

Yigal Adato

Yigal is a 3rd generation pawn broker, and is now a mentor, coach and educator with the pawnbroking industry.


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