MARTINSBURG, WV - Pawn shops have the reputation of being a place for criminals and for those in desperate need to sell their heirlooms and prized possessions.
Frazier's Pawn Shop in Martinsburg, W. Va. has customers that vary from that stereotype.
"When the economy went bad, yeah, that's about the time I started coming here," says Sherron Chatman, a customer at Frazier's Pawn Shop.
She started using the pawn shop when gas prices rose and the economy sank.
"People think that the people that come here are drug addicts and or thieves and crooks and all that," says Chatman. "I'm a 100-percent disabled vet. I have an undergraduate degree in computer science and master's degree in criminal justice."
For some people, pawning is similar to getting a loan from a bank. They use an item as collateral to get money. Once they have the money to pay the pawn shop back they do so, but with interest.
"Some people get rid of stuff because they need extra money, not just because they're down and out," says Chris Page, Frazier's Pawn Shop manager. "They just need extra money for gas or to help somebody on their birthday."
Page says his customers usually come back a lot. He says these days most of them aren't embarrassed about it.
"As far as allowing shame to keep me from being able to give myself a chance, because basically that's what it is," says Chatman.
Chatman plans on continuing to come to the pawn shop to get good deals. She considers this a loan that is easier than one you'd get at a bank.
Read more at your4state.com.
Pawn shop are for everyone......
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