Glendale Pawn and Jewelry as well as the finest Elvis Tribute Performer that our budget would allow, is proud to present our 2013 Mother's Day Sale and Gift Certificate Drawing!
Please watch our video (It's a "Show stopping Vegas-Style Performance") to see all of the tremendous savings for Mother's Day 2013 and click the contest graphic above to register for one of three chances to win!
This year, DON'T MESS UP MOTHER'S DAY!...just scoot on over to Glendale Pawn and Jewelry and let us take care of it for you...you might even win a nice gift certificate too!
Mother's Day or any day...you know..."We're glad you're here!"
Gpawn
Yes, it’s THAT time of year again…(drum roll please)…TAX TIME! Now for those of you loyal readers who got some money refunded to you from Dear Uncle Sam…CONGRATULATIONS! If you’re looking to make that refund stretch as far as possible, come see us! We have GREAT everyday deals and SUPER SPECIALS on fine jewelry, home electronics, tools, collectibles, designer purses…and almost anything you can think of!
However…if you are like Gpawn and thousands of others…this is NOT a fun time because we’re all gonna write a check to Dear Uncle Sam and we will of course wait until the last available moment before sending in our hard earned cash.
Now the topic of taxes, thinking about taxes or reading about taxes in the news is not usually a pleasant subject. It seems that every year we are reminded that rich folks don’t pay much in taxes whilst the poor working stiffs such as Gpawn, you and the crew here at Glendale Pawn and Jewelry seem to be paying for the bulk of government operations. This is not a “News Flash” it’s always been like this. It doesn’t matter who’s in charge or which political-party won the “Electoral Lottery”…we wind up picking up the tab.
(It’s kind of like raising teenagers except they never grow up…)
However, every once in awhile (Okay, it is admittedly VERY rare) my government surprises me by doing something that I feel is truly wonderful with my tax dollars.
For this year’s “Tax Time Happy Thought” I present the Curiosity Mars Rover. From a NASA press release:
Curiosity Rover: In August, NASA cashed in on one of its biggest gambles of the past decade when it successfully landed the $2.5 billion Mars Curiosity Rover on the red planet. In what had been dubbed the "seven minutes of terror," the rover detached from its space capsule and was lowered onto the surface via a hovering "sky crane." Since landing, the rover has taken high-definition photos of Mars' surface and has begun analyzing soil samples—it has even found evidence of an ancient stream that "once ran vigorously" on the planet's surface.
Pretty cool huh? We now know that there was once water on Mars, which could indicate that there was at one time some kind of life. Now while this is pretty earth shattering scientific news, I feel that the real value of this $2.5 billion dollar expenditure was the absolute proof that there are no MARTIANS on Mars. This discovery FINALLY puts to rest what is arguably the lamest genre’ in Science Fiction…the dreaded, yet laughably inept... “Martians”.
Okay, that’s the “Happy thought” that I am going to use this year to keep me smiling when I pay my taxes. What “Happy Thoughts” do you use when you’re whistling a cheery tune whilst writing a check out to our government?
If you need to put some cash in the bank before you write that happy little check, come and see us here at Glendale Pawn and Jewelry. We make fast, hassle-free pawn loans on firearms, jewelry, electronics, and collectibles and just about anything of value. We’re also cash buyers for old gold and gemstone jewelry, firearms, designer purses, iPods, iPads and anything else you have too much of or just don’t need any more.
So keep a smile on your face! Pay those taxes! Here at Glendale Pawn and Jewelry we’ll be here for you to make the process a little less painful and maybe even patriotic!
Just remember when you’re making out that check…”We’re glad you’re here!”
Gpawn
We decided to put up our sign on the grounds of the Smithsonian Institution for this edition of our Pawn Shop Blog.
The Pawn Shop as Museum?
By now everyone is aware that Glendale Pawn and Jewelry is THE place to get some fast, hassle-free cash for all of those OH NO! Moments…like when the lawn mower fires a rock through the patio doors or the dog decides to eat that thing that has been stinkin’ up the garage. (Hey, we’ve been there too…we’ve got kids that think they’re super-heros, animals that have open accounts at the vets and cars that will occasionally spew unknown liquids all over the road for no apparent reason.)
So we’re the place to make the mad dash for the emergency cash…but what’s cool is that we’re also known as the place that’s great fun to browse around in and find heretofore unknown “treasures” for sale. Yes, at least 50% of the fun of visiting Glendale Pawn and Jewelry (Some would probably say 75%) are all the unusual things that inhabit the shelves, nooks and crannies. Now we’re in the business of reselling things and eventually everything goes on to a new “home”, but it does seem that we also serve as a temporary “museum” of sorts.
Check out the great story that Heather Moore and TV5 produced about our Civil War Letters. Just click on the graphic.
Without too much effort, one can see the vast collection of jewelry, the majority of which could certainly qualify as fine art. Also on display is a variety of art work ranging from paintings, prints, sculptures and ceramics. By digging a bit deeper and asking one of our helpful staff members, “Hey! What’s your favorite thing in the store?” could result in seeing an antique firearm, a collection of Civil War letters or some very rare coins and print money.
Now where we differ from a museum is our attitude and feelings for these items. Now museums are great places and they’re absolutely vital to preserving our history and various different cultures. To a museum an object is just that…an object. It’s an artifact that helps preserves a specific culture or era. Nothing more…and nothing less. To a Pawn Shop, an item represents a connection to a person…a living, breathing entity with an emotional connection our store and our staff and a closeness to us that goes beyond being labeled a mere artifact. These items are important to us, because we know they were important to others. Regardless of how we came into possessions of these things…every single person here at Glendale Pawn and Jewelry understands that while these things mean a great deal to us, they will never mean as much to us as they did to the previous owners…and therein lies the fundamental difference between the Pawn Shop and the museum.
The majority of our more “Unusual” items are purchased from people who just don’t want them anymore. Perhaps they are collectors who are running out of room. Perhaps the items were inherited or maybe the interest in them has just run the proverbial course and cash is a much more useful commodity at that particular time. We would imagine that for most of the readers of our Pawn Shop Blog, a similar situation may exist in their homes. Do you have a drawer of old gold jewelry at home? Too many designer purses? Antique firearms? Home electronics? All of these and more can be turned into fast, hassle-free cash at Glendale Pawn and Jewelry.
Looking to acquire a genuine conversation piece? Look no further! We have artwork, antiques, vintage and retro items all presented by people who absolutely care about the items that we offer and the people who come to see us.
So next time you feel like visiting a museum, come see us and the chances are that you’ll go home with a new “Prize” for your collection and a conversation piece that will be talked about for generations…at least until it’s time to put it back into circulation…at the Pawn Shop. Can you do that at the museum? Didn’t think so…
Oh yeah and never forget! "We're glad you're here!"
Gpawn
Here at Glendale Pawn and Jewelry we LOVE music. All types of music. Almost anything that makes noise can be found right here, if you’re looking for it.
Music and this Pawn Shop have had a close relationship for the entire 25+ years of our existence.
If you’re a regular reader of our Pawn Shop Blog, “Glendale Pawn and Jewelry – THE BLOG VIEW!” you also know that we’re also heavily into video. We have an entire video page on our website of nothing but Glendale Pawn and Jewelry produced videos. So with these thoughts in mind we thought we would combine our video production capabilities with our love of music into something that we call, Glendale Pawn and Jewelry - The Pawn Shop Sessions.
If you’re a musician that would like some exposure and an opportunity to showcase your skills, this might be a great opportunity for you. We’re looking for Guitarists, percussionists, soloists, trio’s small groups, Mariachi, Rock & Roll, Country…everyone is welcome and ALL skill levels will be accommodated. Are you a beginner and proud of the single song that you’ve learned? We need you! Have you been playing for years and have a volume of music that is truly encyclopedic in nature? We need you too!
A Jam Session at Glendale Pawn and Jewelry…does it get any better than that?
So what do you need to do to get started? That’s easy…just drop us an e-mail or give us a call at 623.937.2294 or E-mail Gpawn at info@arizonapawnshops.com and we’ll fill you in on all the details. There is absolutely no charge to you for any of this. Your performance will be viewed online by a LARGE audience of Glendale Pawn and Jewelry fans and perhaps even a “Hollywood Type” or two. So….What do you have to lose? Guess what? “We’re glad you’re here!” 
Gpawn
IMPORTANT NOTE: The following are the opinions of our In-House Pawn Shop Blog Scribe, Gpawn. They are his alone. They may or may not be comments that we agree with. At Glendale Pawn and Jewelry, we are smarter than to agree or disagree with anything the resident curmudgeon has to say. Read at your own risk…because we do!
So where's MY Jetpack?
I know I’m a few days late, (I’ve had a nasty cold, etc.) but I just HAVE to say it…
The Super Bowl! Was that a monumental waste of time or what?
Beyonce at half-time, what the heck was that all about? Gpawn is old enough to remember…brace yourself…SUPER BOWL NUMBER 1…that’s ONE as in Numero Uno baby! You know what we had for a half-time show at Number 1? We had dudes flying around the stadium with jetpacks.
Yup, JETPACKS…cause that’s what the future was supposed to be like looking forward 47 years. So where’s my JETPACK? Why am I stuck in traffic burning $3.31 gasoline and going nowhere?
Anyway, THAT halftime was a LOT more exciting than Beyonce thrashing through some tired pop music that sounds like every third song on the radio dial these days. (For the record, Gpawn is a HUGE Beyonce fan…he’d just like to hear something GENUINELY new from her…perhaps a “break-out” single? Maybe something that will prompt me to say…THAT was Beyonce?)
Then the lights went out. They don’t have a decent pawn Shop in NOLA to get some cash to keep the lights on for awhile? I mean really?
Then the Niner’s made it look close before the Ravens won…just as it was scripted.
*YAWN*
Even the commercials were awful. Anybody have a favorite this year? Anybody? Anybody at all? Buhler?
But once again, we survived the thing. A couple BILLION dollars went somewhere and now the rest of us are back at work. Once again…no Jetpacks either.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT NOTE: Your team wasn’t in the Super Bowl this year? Well, I’m a Chiefs fan so let me give you a helpful bit of advice since my guys haven’t been there since 1970…yeah, let THAT sink in for awhile.
Our mission is to serve EVERYONE, not just sports fans, and to make EVERYONE comfortable with being at our store and doing business with us either in-person or online. We buy and sell firearms. We sell outstanding jewelry at -30% -60% off of retail. We also sell designer purses, televisions, home electronics, tools and just about anything you can imagine. Have too much stuff? We turn that stuff into fast-cash. Got too many iPads, iPods, designer purses and old gold jewelry? Come see us! We’ll turn anything of value into CASH.
OH! Did the car spring a leak? Did Power Company send you a little “Surprise” in the mail? Do you have a kid that just discovered that it’s not easy to fly like Superman? Well, we make fast, hassle-free cash loans on anything of value to get you through all those” OH NO!” moments. (We’ll even regale you with our collective “OH NO!” moments just to let you know that you’re not alone! We’ve been there too!)
But someday there WILL be Jetpacks and Glendale Pawn and Jewelry will be making loans on them! Perhaps people will one day have more Jetpacks than they need and Glendale Pawn and Jewelry will be buying them for hassle-free cash!
But until such time, we have some FANTASTIC February specials! (Click the graphic to learn more.) Okay, let's summarize. Gpawn is very old and he's a long-suffering Chief's fan who would really like to have a Jetpack. There's some FANTASTIC February deals here at Glendale Pawn and Jewelry and you need to get down here and stretch your tax-refund dollars at the very best place in town to make them go further!
Oh! Before we forget! (As if THAT would EVER happen...) "We're glad you're here!"
Gpawn
If you've been hanging out with us for awhile, you know that Glendale Pawn and Jewelry is well-known for making fast, hassle-free cash loans for life's "Oh NO!" moments, saving our customers a boatload of money (30% - 60%) on top quality items and turning unneeded items into CASH (Designer Purses, iPads, iPods, old gold jewelry, etc.) So if you've been with us long enough to understand how we help people every single day, then you also know that we're well known for our Pawn Shop Videos.
Now the quality of these videos ranges from:
1) "Wow! That was really good!"
2) "Uh...what did I just watch?"
We're guessing our Valentines Day video will probably fall solidly into category #2. We're okay with that and we had a lot of fun making this video too!
By the way...the message for this video is:
"Please take a look at all the wonderful discounted items that we have on SALE for the month of February!"
So, without further ado...please sit back and enjoy, "How will cupid find a way to make Valentines Day affordable?" Once in a great while the video will not show when the page loads. Please refresh the page
and it should work fine after that. Hey! It's technology! It happens!
This might be a first for us. I don’t believe we have ever re-posted anything from another blog before, but we thought this was really interesting. This is an excerpt from Bloomberg View, in a story that contains information from the book "In Hock: Pawning in America from the Revolution to the Great Depression."
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-09/a-brief-history-of-the-american-pawn-shop-echoes.html
Pawnshop loans were so essential to so many that there was one item in pawn for every man, woman and child living in New York City in the year 1828 alone.
While the brand names have changed, pawns themselves continue to be the same types of moveable property brought to the first pawnshops, including clothing, jewelry, watches, tools and entertainment devices. The list below comes from the only existing business records of a 19th-century pawnshop. It's just a sample of the 130 pieces of collateral that pawnbroker John Simpson took in -- and the amount he loaned on them -- at his pawnshop at 25 Chatham Street in New York City on Aug. 21, 1838, a typical day:
cloak .75
2 coats & razor 3.50
coat 4.00
accordion 2.00
pistol .50
blanket, coat, and book .75
apron .06
gown .18 3/4
3 books 2.37 1/2
pair spectacles .62 1/2
vest .25
tablespoon 1.50
rasp .12 1/2
2 sheets & petticoat .50
cloak & 4 books 1.00
silver watch with broken hands 2.00
lever watch 5.00
eyeglass .25
saw .37 1/2
shawl .25
shirt .50
broach .37 1/2
gold watch chain and key 18.00
fur 4.00
quilt 3.00
8 collars .37 1/2
pair of lamps .12
violin 4.00
pair of pants 1.00
box of jewelry 1.00
gown and cape .75
jacket, pants & vest 4.00
sheet .18 3/4
necklace 1.00
music box 1.00
handkerchief .12 1/2
coffee box 30.00
table cover 1.00
umbrella .50
silver medal 2.50
From the lowly 6-cent apron to the prized coffee box, they represent the great variety of commodities in circulation at the time. Although vastly different in particular from today's pawns, they are very much the same in nature. Yesterday's music box is today's DVD player; a violin has become an electric guitar; a silver pocket watch is now a Rolex; a wool cape like a leather jacket. Some items of predictable value -- such as guns, tools and goods made of precious metals -- remain pawnshop staples.
To read more from Echoes, Bloomberg View's economic history blog, click here.
To contact the writer of this post: Wendy Woloson at wewo99@gmail.com.
(Wendy Woloson is an independent scholar and consulting historian. Her most recent book is "In Hock: Pawning in America from the Revolution to the Great Depression," due out in paperback this spring. The opinions expressed are her own.) We'll be back with some of our famous/infamous original stuff a little later this week, but we thought you'd enjoy this.
By the way..."We're glad you're here!"
Gpawn
Gee, it’s been busy as of late? Lots O’ stuff going on! So! Let's review...shall we?
First of all, the final numbers are in on our annual Holiday Video. We are proud to announce that, "Glendale Pawn and Jewelry Saves the Holiday!" was the highest viewed video in our video production history. If you haven't seen it yet, you can still catch it at our website under the "Our Videos" category.
To continue our fine history of video production, we're issuing a "Casting Call". Do you have a unique talent? Do you play the guitar, organ, accordion or some other instrument? can you sing? Dance? Tell a good joke? Well! We want to hear from you! Just drop us a line at TALENT@ArizonaPawnShops.com (Attn: Gpawn). Let us know what you can do. If you have a tape, that would be great. if you don't, no worries we'll make arrangements to get you in and audition! So what's in it for you? TONS of exposure and endorsement. Will we make you a star? probably not, but we COULD be a "Stepping-stone" to a successful career! The really important news is…drum roll please…It’s getting close to SUPER-BOWL SUNDAY! The official position of Glendale Pawn and Jewelry is that this should be a NATIONAL HOLIDAY! We support the right of ALL Americans to have an awesome flat-screen television, huge supply of food/munchies and enough beverages to make sure that no matter which team wins…everyone will still cheer!
(IMPORTANT NOTE: If your television has seen better days…get down here to Glendale Pawn and Jewelry and we’ll fix you up with more television than you ever dreamed of…at a price that will make you feel like YOU won the game.) Speaking of National Holidays, it’s getting close to that important time of the year…TAX TIME! Now if you have to pay every year, this is not a happy occasion. However, if you’re one of those people who always gets money back (Gpawn is scowling at you as he writes his annual check to our dear Uncle Sam)…well, Glendale Pawn and Jewelry is the absolute BEST place to stretch your tax refund dollars. In fact we have been CERTIFIED as “The best place to get MORE with your tax refund dollars”.
Our official position regarding Tax time is: You work hard all year long. It’s a genuine struggle and the staff of Glendale Pawn and Jewelry faces the same challenges as you do. So, when the tax return check arrives, it’s important to use that money wisely and purchase items that improve your home, car and lifestyle. There is no better place to stretch your dollar than Glendale Pawn and Jewelry. We’ll save you 30% - 60% on fine jewelry, home electronics, computers/gaming systems, tools, designer purses and almost anything else you can imagine.  (In the interest of transparency and honesty, our marketing department came up with the whole “Certified” thing…to our knowledge there really isn’t any independent or government agency that certifies any Pawn Shop as the “Best place to stretch your tax refund dollars”…but here at Glendale Pawn and Jewelry we feel strongly that there SHOULD be...FYI.) Do you have an interest in the Internet? Do you enjoy technology? Are you fascinated by the sheer amount of information that is available at the click of a button? (This is kind of a rhetorical question because the only way to read our famous/infamous Pawn Shop Blog, or to shop at our E-Bay, Amazon and Gunbroker stores is online…)
Well, the big news is that Facebook (Have you heard of them?) is getting ready to unleash their new search engine, “Facebook Graph Search” on the general public.
Here at Glendale Pawn and Jewelry our Internet Department has had the opportunity to preview this new search engine and all we have to say is…whoa. This thing is something else. Now the Internet community is known to be full of hype (and other things) and other reviews have ranged from, “So what?” to “This changes everything.”
Our official position regarding Facebook Graph Search is: While Facebook Graph Search is probably not the best choice for answering a question such as, “What was the population of Mauritania during the most recent census?” (Google will always be THE source for such things) Facebook Graph Search will undeniably be THE source to answer the question, “Where is the best pawn shop in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area?” or…”Which Pawn Shop is the brightest, cleanest and has the friendliest staff?” It is the most unique and original thing we’ve seen online since…well…uh…a LONG time.
While we have official positions on just about everything and this Blog Post represents only a FRACTION of these official positions…our most important official position is…”We’re glad you’re here!” 
Gpawn
Just a Mouse Click Away…
I suppose it’s only normal that there would be a bit of a “let down” after the Holidays. I mean when all you’ve been doing for the last six weeks or so has been focused on shopping, baking, family and friends it’s only normal for everyone to be draggin’ just a bit and such is the case for your humble Pawn Shop Blog Scribe…Gpawn.
Since a large portion of my job involves cranking out posts for the greatest Pawn Shop Blog this world has ever seen…I spend a fair amount of time wrestling with the musical question of…”What am I going to write about now?” So whilst stareing a a blank computer screen…with an equally blank brain…it dawned on me that it would be fun to load up Google Images, enter “Pawn Shop” as the search term and see what happens. Now the following represents ONLY the results of my search from my location. Your results may vary…if you actually wanted to replicate this “experiment”.
Here are examples of some of the more…uh…interesting images from the 1,000’s that were returned from my Google search:
(Note: You might want to set your Google search preferences to “Safe” because some of the images that were returned without this “Safe” setting could be somewhat damaging to sensitive, innocent bystanders…just sayin’.)
Superb Black & White photography, coupled with an outstanding blog…Bill Emory. One of the best!
Then there’s the immortal Charlie Chaplin from the 1926 silent film, “The Pawn Shop”…a glimpse into the somewhat gritty past of the Pawn Industry and more stereotypes than you can imagine. A fascinating and classic film by anyone’s measurement. This was certainly news to me…Virtual Doll House offers a nifty Pawn Shop for your Doll House collection!
Apparently “Dave’s Pawn Shop” has a “genuine” Chupacabra, for sale. Wow! We have a genuine “Bigfoot” here at Glendale Pawn and Jewelry, but sadly he’s on staff here and works in our shipping department…and eats BBQ ribs. Okay, it’s not a pawn shop, but it comes up when you do a Google Image Search. It looks like a repurposed Long John Silver’s, but it’s a pub in Indianapolis that by all accounts has some awesome food and a nice vibe.
Immediately to the left of the Pub is a sample of two worn out Stock Pawn Shop images? Is Glendale Pawn and Jewelry the ONLY Pawn Shop that doesn’t use these tired images in their promotions? Is it THAT hard to be original? It can’t be, because we’re original every day! Chinese, Indonesian and Indian pawn shops have been a part of the culture for generations and in many cases these pawn shops can date back 400 years or even more.
Here’s a Baltimore Pawn Shop from the early 1960’s that may very well have instigated store signage regulations single-highhandedly! So why did we take the time to put all of this together for you? Well, Pawn Shops are mainstream now. They have become "The Bank" for a large portion of Middle-America, since the banks no longer seem to care about anyone other than large institutional investors. Pawn Shops have come a long way from the the "Good old days" and Glendale Pawn and Jewelry is proud to have led the way. We work hard every single day to change the way people perceive Pawn Shops...and we're winning!
Need some fast, hassle-free cash for an unexpected expense? Have some items that you don't use anymore such as, iPods, iPads, firearms, jewelry and maybe designer purses? We can turn them into cash for you faster than you thought possible. Want to save 30% - 60% on fine jewelry, home electronics, collectibles, tools and just about anything else you can think of?
Well, just come see us!
"We're glad you're here!"
Gpawn
As you know, we do this once in awhile. It's called, "Give Gpawn a camera and have him find some fun stuff on the floor!" Hopefully, this qualifies as some pretty good "Fun Stuff"! We talk a lot about all of our fantastic deals on fine Jewelry (30% - 60% off of retail) and we also cover how we can get you some fast, hassle-free cash with an easy Pawn Loan. So it's nice to occasionally show case some of the more unique and lesser known items from the shop just to give everyone a sampling of our broad selection.
ENJOY!
A genuine medical grade microscope and some RARE neon beer signs...on the same shelf! Suppose this scene exists anywhere else in town? probably not!
The best guitar selection we've had in quite awhile...do you see the Mandolin there?
Okay, it looks like Tony has an itch in a very sensitive spot...so I'd advise you not to make him mad...
Don't you want to buy a bunch of these and slide them across a serious expanse of tile floor?
Super wood carving that would be GREAT for the patio or someone's "Man-Cave"...
The Cap'n is busy rounding up some runaway Barbies...we have a LOT of Barbies by the way.
"Gather round children...Back in the day folks would gather at the neighborhood bar or tavern and play some rousing video games whilst enjoying some adult beverages. You see, video games were quite LARGE back then and were actually kind of like furniture in some regards..."
Okay, enough of that. This REAL, FULL-SIZE Ms. Pac-Man game has a LOT of people lusting after it..Gpawn included. If YOU want it...get down here...NOW!
Hope you enjoyed today's tour and commentary from Glendale Pawn and Jewelry. Have any questions, comments or suggestions? You can make them here on the blog or feel free to contact us at 623.939.2107 or info@arizonapawnshops.com
Oh yeah...In case you were wondering...
"We're glad you're here!" 
Gpawn
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