I recently had my first experience in a pawn shop. I stopped at Vegas Pawn in Scottsdale, partly because I had never before visited  a pawn shop and partly to see what sort of inventory they carried. I would never have thought about stopping in had I not watched a news show talking about businesses that do well in economic downturns – gun stores, gold brokers, pawn shops, check cashing stores, etc..

The shop is located next to Skin Cabaret in south Scottsdale. It kind of looks like it belongs in Vegas with the glitzy sign and the limos parked outside of the strip club next door.

There is no missing the amount of security in the place. In order to enter the interior of the pawn shop you first enter a cage that sort of resembles the shark cages that divers use. Once your inside of these security gates an employee will buzz a gate open to allow entry into the shop.

I was surprised at their inventory. I had expected jewelry, gold, diamonds, stereos, computers and things but I had no idea that they also buy and sell cars, boats, atvs, and other vehicles. Nor did I know that you can buy or sell loose diamonds at their Scottsdale location.

It’s a friendly place and interesting place to stop in and browse. I didn’t buy anything or pawn anything but if I need to in the near future that’s where I would go!