http://www.mlive.com/grpress/news/index.ssf/2008/10/pawn_shop_shelves_full_of_toug.htmlPawn shop shelves full of tough-luck economic stories
by Tom Rademacher | The Grand Rapids Press
Thursday October 16, 2008, 8:46 AM
Tuesday afternoon, Jeremy Swanson bought back a leaf blower he hocked to a Wyoming pawnbroker.
He pocketed $50 two weeks earlier, and now he forks out that plus 35 percent interest to get it back -- a total of $67.50.
Welcome to hard times in Anytown USA, where a rough economy has some people digging deep to sell treasures and necessities in last-ditch efforts to pay for everything from gasoline to utilities.
"I needed the money back then more than I did the blower," said Swanson, who is 28 and works in construction.
"I did what I had to do," the Wyoming resident said. The quick cash went "for diapers and food."
If every item sitting on shelves in pawn shops tells a story, you can bet most of them are sad ones, linked to unhealthy unemployment levels, a sagging stock market, challenging fuel costs and crises in housing, banking, retail and more.
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