It seems everything in the "real world" eventually makes its appearance in Cyberspace. So too with pawnshops. You can find a wide range of items for sale at SuperPawn's Web site http://www.cyberpawn.com. Gold, diamonds, watches, fine jewelry, cameras, electronics, tools, sporting goods and collectibles are some of the goods available at prices below retail.

SuperPawn started as a family business in 1875. It is now "a corporate enterprise with over 30 stores with more than 300 employees in Las Vegas, NV, Reno, NV, Renton, WA, and Phoenix, AZ," according to the Web site.

What is a "pawnshop"? If you need cash in a hurry, you can bring an item to a pawnshop and use it as collateral to get a loan. If you default on the loan, the pawnshop then sells your item to get back their money. Pawnshops are regulated by state laws.

Despite the stereotypical view of pawnshops, they avoid accepting merchandise that they believe might be stolen, since they lose out if law enforcement officials seize the goods.

I spoke to Diane McKinney, Director of Communications at SuperPawn. "Today's Pawnshop is a place where diverse consumers - from college students to young families - come to procure quick, easy loans that are usually far too small to come from banks. Our loans are always made on collateral - usually jewelry or electronics - although we will loan on anything that has a resell value."

Diane said that the rate of default is low, but when it does happen, they will resell the merchandise in their stores or at auction. "To ensure that we are offering the consumer a quality product, we test all merchandise to make sure it is in good condition before we loan on it - and again before we sell it." She said that SuperPawn stores offer a full merchandise guarantee.

Some pawnshops are targeting "yuppies," according to this article from the February 2, 2001 edition of the Puget Sound Business Journal http://seattle.bcentral.com/seattle/stories/2001/02/05/smallb1.html. An interesting tip offered in another article is to keep the serial numbers of your property, or mark it in some way with an identifier, such as a driver's license or Social Security number. In the unlikely event that your item shows up in a pawnshop, law enforcement officials may be able to recover it http://www.texnews.com/news/pawnshopcop082696.html.

The biggest drawback to purchasing on SuperPawn's Web site is the dearth of pictures and detailed descriptions. There is an "ask a question" button, however.

It may be worthwhile finding pawnshops near you. You never know...you might just find a new source of inventory.