AUGUSTA, Ga. - Most everyone is looking to save some money this holiday season.

Pawn Shops may not be the first place you think of when searching for discounted gifts. But owners say give it a try you may find more than you bargained for.

“The last part of November and the first of December it's the best start I've had in three years to the holiday season,” Alan Kortick said.

His pawn shop in downtown Augusta has seen an increase in business lately.

"I would say 25 percent," Kortick said.

He says the unstable economy has plenty to do with that.

Allen Ralston says his pawn shop has also seen an increase because customers are looking to save anyway they can.

“They really have to watch their nickles and dimes because of the way the economy is,” Ralston said.

Many customers are turning to the shops to pick up gifts for the holidays. It can be a time of year that can be expensive.

Big ticket Christmas items like flat screen televisions can be found on the shelves of many pawn shops and owners say at as much as a 50 percent discount.

“You can go out and get the same items in a pawn shop up to 50 percent cheaper than you would in original stores,” Kortick said.

For example, a JVC 42 inch flat screen TV at Ralston’s store cost $689. On JVC's website and amazon.com the same television cost between $885 and $1500.

At both stores DVDs can be found at a discounted price. At Ralston’s store they are $3.00 each and at Kortick’s store they are 3 for $10.00.

Both shops also specialize in musical instruments ranging from drum sets to guitars.

Kortick says pawn shops may not always offer what you want or need but it can't hurt to look.

“You always check a pawn shop first even if you're not going to buy there because you don't know what you're going to find,” he said.

If you are interested in visiting a Pawn Shop there are some in our area.

Downtown Pawn Shop
564 Broad Street
Augusta, Ga. 30901
(706) 724-7392

Mr. Pawn
501 Broad Street
Augusta, Ga. 30901
(706) 823-6336‎