Pawnshop, Payday Loan, or Title Loan: What's Right For You?

In the current economy, many people are faced with low credit scores that inhibit their loan options. Without a strong FICO score, very few options are available for those in need of a loan or line of credit. This leads a lot of people to seek out the options that are available: namely, pawnshops, payday loans, and title loans. Although all of these options provide fast cash without a credit check, they are not the same. It is wise for consumers with low credit scores, who are already in a fiscal bind, to thoroughly research the limited options that they do have and to make an informed decision based on what is the best possible service available for them.

Pawnshops are an option often utilized by those with poor credit. At a pawnshop, an individual can obtain a loan for collateral, meaning that the individual provides the shop owner with a valuable item in exchange for money. The amount of the loan exchanged for the individual's item is usually only a portion of the item's monetary worth, not to mention any sentimental attachment associated with said item.

If the borrower cannot repay the loan, the pawnshop gains ownership of said item, potentially costing the borrower the actual value of the item. In such a case that the borrower cannot repay the debt, the loan is forgiven, but the item is also lost. Since the item is worth significantly more than the loan, the borrower can potentially lose a lot of money if a loan cannot be repaid. Thus, anyone utilizing this service should make sure that the loan can be repaid prior to pawning any item. Like all loan lenders, pawnshops charge high interest on their loans, making it a less appealing option for the frugal minded.

A payday loan is a solid option for people who don't have great credit but do have steady employment. Based upon one's income, payday loans are granted in small amounts for short periods of time. Because the loan amount is small, it is more manageable to pay off when the time comes. Like pawnshops, payday loans have high interest rates.

Unlike pawnshops, however, no collateral is required for this type of loan, so the borrower is not at risk of losing valuable items if unable to repay on time. Needless to say, a borrower should always repay on time, regardless. Additionally, reputable payday loan lenders are also government regulated, meaning that the borrower can be sure that contracts will be upheld to a higher set of standards. A borrower should always read reviews and research loan lenders prior to borrowing to confirm their reputations and terms.

Title loans are another option; yet, in order to obtain a title loan, a borrower must own their vehicle and be willing to offer said vehicle as collateral should the loan go into default. This means that one's car, which may be the source of one's livelihood, is potentially at risk if the loan isn't repaid. If a borrower needs a large loan, title loans may be the way to go, as they offer bigger loans than their payday loan or pawnshop counterparts. On the downside, a bigger loan means more to pay off and they do have extremely high interest rates, making them difficult to pay in full.

All in all, payday loans are generally the best bet for small loans, but, depending on one's situation, another option may work if treated responsibly and paid off in full.