Reinforcing The Value Proposition!
Earlier in his career, Crawford took a break from his job in a pawn shop and started a watch and diamond business online. He started the internet business in the late 90’s and did quite well. Eventually, Crawford went back to his calling and opened Heritage Jewelry and Loan in Sugar Land. Within the suburbs of Houston, Heritage Jewelry is one of the premier pawn shops and has been in business for three years.
“We service more of the upper-middle class to upper-class clientele that is often overlooked by many pawn shops,” Crawford said. “Were a good fit with PawnGuru, because most of our customers are tech-savvy. Our clients typically have some money, and they want to do the research of what it’s worth prior to coming in. They do not wish to just come in and get whatever someone says it’s worth.”“A typical pawn shop might give somebody a $1,000 for a Rolex,” Crawford said. “We can give $4,000 because we’re not waiting for someone to just by happenstance walk in the door to buy a watch.”
Crawford’s shop specializes in musical instruments and high-end items such as jewelry, watches, and diamonds. However, within the store you will find other items such as big screen TVs and lawnmowers. Since Heritage Jewelry is also utilizing the internet to reach customers, Crawford has been able to grow the business significantly and can offer top dollar. Most cash loans are on pawned jewelry and average $1,000.
“A typical pawn shop might give somebody a $1,000 for a Rolex,” Crawford said. “We can give $4,000 because we’re not waiting for someone to just by happenstance walk in the door to buy a watch.”
Today, anyone can search for an autographed item to check its current market value and to authenticate it. Thanks to eBay and Google, customers can check to see what cash value their item will bring in real-time. On the pawnbrokers side, shops that might not be familiar with a particular item can within minutes determine its potential resale value.When you enter a pawn shop, it is important that you feel comfortable, safe and that your items will be put in storage correctly. Pawn shops like Heritage are well lit, very clean, and have friendly service.
“That’s the way it is nowadays, and pawn shops that don’t adhere to this are going to fall at the waist side,” Crawford says. “That model of ‘take what I’ll give you for it or else’ is going away.”
For individuals looking into pawn shops for the first time, Crawford advises them to read reviews from previous customers and also to check out their ratings with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Also, every pawn shop should be licensed, and this can be verified by contacting the office of the county in which the pawn shop is located.
“If you are entrusting your valuables with a pawn shop you need to make sure that they’re on the up and up,” Crawford said. “See if they have any complaints against them, it’s a free phone call and they answer them every day.”
Successful pawn shops often have repeat customers because of the relationships they have established within the local community. When you enter a pawn shop, it is important that you feel comfortable, safe and that your items will be put in storage correctly. Also, pawn shops like Heritage are well lit, very clean, and have friendly service.
“PawnGuru has opened many doors for us,” Crawford said. “ It has reinforced the value proposition that we do, everybody markets that ‘we pay the most’ or ‘we’re the greatest,’ but PawnGuru is allowing folks to go out and say ‘hey this is what I got, tell me how much it’s worth?’ It helps the customers make a better-informed decision. They can get a chance to figure out what’s going, make a phone call and say ‘hey can we talk a little more about it.’ It saves them much headache and heartache.”
Heritage Jewelry once helped a customer who was in desperate need to relocate. The customer had a bundle of jewelry and visited multiple pawn shops nearby looking for the best cash offer, but was being let down with offers that would be of no benefit. Crawford heard her story and evaluated her collection of jewelry with sensitivity and offered her a $15,000 loan that.
“We gave her 5% over the melt value of her gold in the form of a loan at 1% interest,” Crawford said.
If you are in a financial challenging situation make sure to explain your predicament when to visit your local pawn shop. Established pawnbrokers with a good history will likely take the time to listen and work with you.
Did you enjoy this post? Click here to read our previous post about Spring Cleaning and how to pawn used items!
