FAQs

What is required to pawn my item?

Along with your item you will need a government issued picture ID and you must have at least one finger for us to get a print from.

Do I have to wait a certain period of time to reclaim my item?

No. We're happy to return your merchandise to you once your pawn is paid. There is no waiting period.

What happens if I can't repay my pawn by the due date?

You can extend the time of your pawn by simply paying the fee due. If you do not intend to repurchase the pawned item, we will put your item out for sale after the pawn maturity due date and you owe us nothing. 

What about confidentiality?

State and Federal law regulates the privacy of your transactions with us and we have procedures in place to safeguard your information. We will only contact you with your permission.

Will you contact me if I am late in paying my pawn?

We respect our customer’s privacy and will not write or telephone our clients for any reason unless you have given us permission. It is up to the customer to remember to pay on their agreement.

I already have a pawn with West Michigan Pawn, can I get another? 

Absolutely! You are welcome to have as many pawned items with us as is necessary for your situation. You are also welcome to borrow money even if you have chosen to not repay previous pawns with us.

If I pawn an item, am I guaranteed to get it back when I repay my pawn?

Yes. We are bound by State Statute to carefully and responsibly care for your pledge while in our possession. Your items are safer in pawn than they are in your own home.

Can I just sell my item? 

Yes. We will purchase most items outright if that is what you prefer to do.

Can I borrow what my item is appraised for? 

Pawn amounts are based on current values and market conditions for merchandise. Appraisals are based on retail or replacement costs and are generally used for insurance purposes. We always try to base pawns on fair market value keeping in mind that we must also be able to sell the item for a profit.

Okay….I’ve got to ask….what about stolen goods?

Pawnshops are a business just like any other. But unlike many other businesses, pawnshops have a special set of laws that keep them on the straight and narrow.

Pawnshops are specially licensed and cooperate with police to prevent the movement of stolen merchandise. When you pawn an item at West Michigan Pawn, we take your name and address, verify it with your valid driver's license and then inspect the item carefully. We test diamonds and gold for authenticity. If you are bringing in something like a TV or DVD player, we test it to make sure it works properly. If there is a serial number on the item, it's also recorded on the pawn ticket. There are three reasons for this level of scrutiny: Every day, we must submit a list of all merchandise received, including serial numbers, to the police. The police compare the serial numbers against records of stolen merchandise. Why do we do this? If a stolen item is found in our shop and the item was not reported to the police by the pawnshop when it came in, we can be charged with receiving stolen merchandise. Quite simply, it’s in everyone’s best interest to keep stolen goods OUT of pawn shops!

Unlike someone running a garage sale or a booth at a flea market, West Michigan Pawn is a stable business in the community and we keep a close eye on our reputation.