A pawnbroker (or pawnshop) is an individual or business that offers secured loans to people, with items of personal propriety used as collateral.  The word pawn is derived from the Latin pignus, for pledge, and the items having been pawned to the broker are themselves called pledges or pawns, or simply the collateral.

If an item is pawned for a loan, within a certain contractual period of time, the pawner may purchase it back for the amount of the loan plus some agreed-upon amount for interest.  The amount of time, and rate of interest, is governed by law or by the pawnbroker's policies.  If the loan is not paid (or extended, if applicable) within the time period, the pawned item will be offered for sale by the pawnbroker/secondhand dealer.  Unlike other lenders, though, the pawnbroker does not report the defaulted loan on the customer's credit report, since the pawnbroker has physical possession of the item and may recoup the loan value through outright sale of the item  The pawnbroker/secondhand dealer also sells items that have been sold outright by customers to the Pawnbroker or secondhand dealer.

We have brand name used rifles for sale, stop in and see us!

Assessment of Items

The pawning process begins when a customer brings an item into a pawnshop or pawn shop. 

Common items pawned (or, in some instances, sold outright) by customers include jewelry, electronics such as televisions, car stereos, speakers, computers and video games, DVD movies, music CDs, musical instruments (often popular music instruments such as electric guitars and basses, and keyboards), and used tools (both hand tools and power tools).  In the US, Pawnshops with firearms licenses sell pistols and used rifles and hunting guns to customers who meet state and federal acquisition criteria.  In other countries, though, such as Canada and the UK, pawnshops do not sell firearms.  Gold, silver, and platinum are popular items which are often purchased; even if the source (such as a piece of broken jewelry) has little value, the metals can still be sold in bulk to a bullion dealer or smelter for the value of the gold , silver, or platinum content.  Similarly, with jewelry that contains genuine gems, even if the jewelry is broken or missing pieces, the jewels may have value in their own right because they can be reset into a new item of jewelry .

The pawnbroker assesses an item for its condition and sale ability by testing the item (in the case of electronics or instruments) and examining it for flaws, scratches, or other damage.  Another aspect that affects sale ability is the supply and demand for the item in the community or region.  In some areas, the used goods market is so flooded with used stereos and car stereos, for example, that pawnshops will only accept the higher-quality brand names.  Alternatively, a customer may offer to pawn an item which will be difficult to sell, such as a surfboard in an inland state or a pair of snowshoes may be offered to a pawnshop in a southern state.  the pawnshop owner either turn down hard-to-sell items or offer a very low amount of money for these items  While some items will never get outdated, such as hammers and hand saws, electronics and computer items can quickly get out of date and become un-salable.  As such, pawnshop owners have to learn about the different makes and models of computers, software, and other electronic equipment so that they can discern between items which are salable, and those which are obsolete (e.g. a 80386 computer.)

Webster's Trading Company in Lewiston, ME.  Family owned and operated, has been in business for over 20 years.  Buying, selling & trading all general merchandise.  Just about anything anyone could want!  2,000 square feet of everything - items sold for much less than anywhere!

If you are looking for a particular item, it is possible that we have it or we would know where to find it.  Call if you are looking for anything special.  207-795-6402.

We are also an Authorized Dealer in Budget Truck Rental.  Please visit our location to see all we have to offer.  207-783-3419.

Proudly serving Lewiston, ME and the surrounding areas

Brand Name Items At Low Low Prices....

Assorted Caliber Rifles & Shotguns

Used Handguns & Revolvers 

New Handguns & Revolvers

 Personal Defense  - Whoop Ass Pepper Spray - Whoop Ass Stun Devices      

Pepper Spray $8.99 each

Stun Device $59.00 each

Name Brand Laptop & Desktop Computers Starting At $99.00

 Wii Games Starting At $8.99

Guitar Hero Starting At $9.00

I-Pod 8GB Nano's At $49.00
I-Pod touch starting At $99.00
Assorted LCD TV's Starting At $29.99

Brand Name Stereos, Speakers & Car Audio On Sale Starting At $29.00

We have so many Hand & Power Tools We Cannot List Them All. Brand name Tools at Unbelievable Prices...

DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Porter Cable, Bostich, Hilti, Ridgid, Paslode, Ryobi, Hitachi, Werner Ladders, Planks, Brackets, Staging, Drywall Stilts, Hammer Drills, Mitre Saws & Many, Many More.............................................

10, 14, 18 Kt Gold Jewelry At Low Low Prices - Diamonds, Rubys, Emeralds, Pearls
Pay Top $ for Gold & Silver 

Name Brand Guitars Starting At $99.00 Hundreds Of DVD's Only $2.50 each

Lawnmowers Starting At $49.00

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Websters Trading Co