pawnshops

Gold prices are up again, and floating near an all-time high: That means bad news for the overall economy, but good news if you have unwanted jewelry and want to cash in. But be careful: It's also a good time to get cheated. DailyFinance explains how to get the best price for your gold.

Two-year-old Pawngo bills itself as a more upscale pawnshop for the digital age, catering to a new breed of pawn customer -- not desperate, just temporarily cash-strapped. The company wants to dispel the stereotype of sketchy storefronts dealing in fenced goods -- and so far, it has had a fair amount of success.

"Pawn Stars," the History Channel reality series, is television gold. During his lifetime in the business, Rick Harrison -- owner-operator of the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, where the show is set -- has seen it all. Here are four tips that he shared on how to become a world-class pawnbroker.

Business is booming for companies that reap profits from the growing number of Americans with their backs to the financial wall. Former New York Times reporter Gary Rivlin's new book Broke, USA dives into the world of pawnshops, payday lenders and the rest of the "poverty business."

November was a tough month for the payday lender business, as Arizona and Ohio joined a host of other states imposing caps on its fees that will effectively drive them out of business. As a result, the unbanked, it need of quick cash, are being forced back to an ancient alternative, the...

Update 2009: The recession and new limits on payday advance companies have been sweet news for the nation's pawn shops. No need to be embarrassed any more about visiting a pawn shop; you'll probably meet some of your neighbors there. When I was growing up, I watched a lot of Twilight Zone reruns....

The Today Show's Jean Chatzky explains the ups and downs of pawning in the video below. If you're desperate for cash and considering a pawnshop or payday lender, she has some good tips. One pawnshop featured in the video charges a monthly interest rate of 10% on its loans which, as Chatzky points...

If you need more evidence that people do really, really, dumb things with money, look no further than this great video from the Today Show about a Beverly Hills pawnshop, where famous actors and professional athletes pawn their jewelry for some much-needed cash.This is so incredibly stupid....