Nolo.com, a website that answers legal questions, estimates pawnshops will lend you about 25% to 60% of resale value.

Across the board, jewelry (authentic, real jewelry - not costume jewelry) generally yields the most amount of cash. This is because jewelry is made from precious metals, such as gold and platinum, and often incorporates diamonds and other precious gemstones. Jewelry also tends to hold its value over long periods.

Pawning or selling is a personal choice. It boils down to two options: wanting to get items back or not wanting them back. If customers want their items back, then pawning is the best option. But if they want to get rid of their items, selling is the better choice.

Pawn shops that buy TVs will also pay more for a bigger screen. If your TV's screen is less than 26 inches, you'd be lucky to get over $50 for it. If your screen is greater than 42 inches, though, a pawnbroker like GEM might offer you over $200, provided the TV is one of the brands mentioned above.