How Pawn Loans Work
People have been getting loans this way for hundreds of years, and it's still the fastest, most private way to borrow a few hundred dollars. Here's exactly what happens when you walk into an Acme Pawn store.
The Four StepsRates & TermsA Pawn Loan in Four Steps
Bring in your item and your ID
Jewelry, a gun, a laptop, a guitar, tools — anything with resale value. You need to be 18 or older with a valid government photo ID. No appointment.
We look it over and make an offer
We check condition and what it would sell for used, then tell you the loan amount. It takes a few minutes. You can say no and walk out — no obligation.
Sign the ticket, take the cash
Your pawn ticket lists the item, the loan amount, the finance charge and your due date. You leave with cash. Your item goes into secure storage.
Come back and pick it up — or don't
Pay the loan plus the finance charge any time within your term and take your item home. Need more time? Renew for another month. Decide you don't want it back? Keep the cash, and the debt is gone.
How We Decide What to Lend
A pawn loan is a portion of what the item would bring if we had to sell it, not the price you paid new. Three things drive the number:
Condition
Does it work? Is it clean, complete, with cords, cases or boxes? A guitar with its case or a drill with two batteries is worth more than one without.
Demand
Popular brands and current models move fast and bring more. Gold and silver are priced off the day's spot price.
Resale value
If you don't come back, we have to sell the item to recover the loan, so the offer leaves room for that. Selling outright usually pays a bit more than pawning for the same reason.
We don't give quotes over the phone — every item is different — but bringing it in takes only a few minutes.
What It Costs and How Long You Have
Full details, a cost table and examples are on the Loan Terms & Rates page. When it's time to renew or pay off, see Renew or Pay Off a Loan.
What You Can Pawn
If it has resale value, bring it in. These are the categories we see every day — each has its own page with what we look for.
Firearms
Handguns, rifles, shotguns. A CBI check is done when you pick it up, and some semiautomatic rifles now need more — read the 2026 gun law guide before pawning one.
Guns →Pawn or Sell? You Decide at the Counter
Pawn it
You want the item back. You get cash now, pay the loan plus the monthly charge later, and pick it up. Your item stays yours the whole time unless you choose to let it go.
Sell it
You don't want the item back. You get cash now and the deal is done. Because there is no loan to carry, selling usually pays a little more than pawning the same item.
Not sure? Ask for both numbers. Plenty of people pawn first and decide later.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a pawn loan work?
You bring in something of value, we agree on a loan amount, you sign a pawn ticket and leave with cash. The item is stored securely as collateral. Pay the loan back with the monthly finance charge and you get the item back; if you choose not to, we keep the item and you owe nothing.
How much can I get for my item?
A pawn loan is a portion of what the item would sell for used, not its retail price. We look at condition, demand and resale value, and we tell you the number before you decide. We don't quote over the phone because every item is different.
Do pawn loans affect my credit?
No. There is no credit check to get the loan, and nothing is reported to a credit bureau whether you repay it or not.
What can I pawn at Acme Pawn?
Jewelry, gold and silver, coins and bullion, firearms, electronics and game systems, laptops and phones, musical instruments, power tools, sporting goods, designer bags, collectibles, and vehicles through auto pawn. If it has resale value, bring it in. Pawning a firearm? Since August 1, 2026, Colorado treats certain semiautomatic rifles and shotguns with detachable magazines (AR-style rifles, for example) and gas-operated semiautomatic handguns as "specified semiautomatic firearms." Getting one of these back out of pawn may require the state's new eligibility card and firearms course. Before you pawn an AR-style or similar rifle, read our Colorado Gun Laws 2026 guide — it explains which firearms are affected and what you'll need to redeem yours.
What is the difference between pawning and selling?
Pawning is a loan — you get cash now and can get the item back. Selling is final — you get cash and the item is ours. Selling usually pays a little more because there is no loan to carry. You choose at the counter.
How long do I have to pay back a pawn loan?
Loans are written for 30 days with a 30-day grace period. You can renew month to month for as long as you need by paying the finance charge.
Do I need an appointment or good credit?
Neither. Walk into any of our four Colorado Springs stores with the item and a valid photo ID. You must be 18 or older.
Ready to Get Started?
Four Colorado Springs stores, open Monday–Friday 9–6 and Saturday 10–5. Walk in with your item and your ID.
Original (719) 633-2579Super Pawn (719) 633-8787East (719) 638-4461North (719) 596-0722
Read more: Loan Terms & Rates · Renew or Pay Off a Loan · Pawn Loan FAQ