Think of a pawnbroker and you may drift into fantasies of dark London times, Dickensian back alleys infested with rats and unseemly characters lurking around every corner. It may seem a very Victorian image, but to what extent do pawnbrokers exploit the poor even now?

It is not at all difficult to get a loan from a pawnbroker, providing you have suitable collateral as security. In times like these, we are all strapped for cash and whether you want to find decent items are good prices, or whether you need to make a quick penny or two, a pawnbroker can prove to be a very useful business. The best part is, there is next to no waiting.

However, you need to remember that, when it comes to using a pawn shop, the amount of interest they charge on these loans is much higher than a bank would charge. So really, this type of financing should only be used for a short period of time, for example, if you find yourself without some money until your next pay cheque arrives.

The National Pawnbrokers Association (the NPA) is an association that abides by strict rules and guidelines and will not exploit. As a company that is over 100 years old, not only do they safeguard the interests of over 900 members, but they take into consideration the interests of their customers, too.

Those who do become members of the NPA are provided with an operations manual along with a code of conduct manual to which they must adhere at all times. Plus, as pawnbroking is in fact part of the credit industry just like other financial institutes, banks and lenders adhere to the regulations set out in the Consumer Credit Act of 1974.

In order for someone to run a pawnbroking business, they must obtain a license from the OFT (Office of Fair Trading) in the U.K. If they fail to get this then they are committing a criminal offence and as a result, this could lead them to either being fined or sent to prison.

Just as with other forms of providing credit or lending money, this Act requires that the arrangements for such loans should be set out in a certain way. Also, before the loan is approved and after it has been approved then certain information must be provided to us. All these legislations and regulations help to ensure that pawnbrokers are not out to exploit us.

Pawnbroking business Uncles Money offers loans against cars and other motor vehicles.