PLEDGE

FCA Authorised · Est. 1987 · Three London Branches

Know What It's Worth Before You Walk In.

Transparent terms. Regulated lending. Every fee visible before you decide. Pledge has been the discreet choice for collectors, tradespeople, and families since 1987.

Book a Private Valuation See How It Works

The First Question

“Is pawning actually better than selling — or just getting a loan?”

Row by row, here is the honest answer. Pawn, sell, or borrow — each has its moment. This table exists so you arrive knowing which one fits yours.

What matters to you	Pawn with Pledge	Sell Outright	Payday Loan
You keep ownership	Item returned on repayment	Ownership transferred permanently	No item involved
Cash in hand today	Same appointment	Same appointment	Subject to credit check
Credit check required	None — item is security	None	Hard credit search
Affects credit score	No impact whatsoever	No impact	Missed payments recorded
Typical APR	From 5% per month (FCA capped)	Not applicable	Up to 1,500% APR
Redemption period	6 months, extendable	No redemption — sold	30 days typical
FCA regulated	Pledge is fully authorised	Pledge is fully authorised	Varies — check register

You keep ownership

Pawn with Pledge

Item returned on repayment

Sell

Ownership transferred permanently

Payday

No item involved

Cash in hand today

Pawn with Pledge

Same appointment

Sell

Same appointment

Payday

Subject to credit check

Credit check required

Pawn with Pledge

None — item is security

Sell

None

Payday

Hard credit search

Affects credit score

Pawn with Pledge

No impact whatsoever

Sell

No impact

Payday

Missed payments recorded

Typical APR

Pawn with Pledge

From 5% per month (FCA capped)

Sell

Not applicable

Payday

Up to 1,500% APR

Redemption period

Pawn with Pledge

6 months, extendable

Sell

No redemption — sold

Payday

30 days typical

FCA regulated

Pawn with Pledge

Pledge is fully authorised

Sell

Pledge is fully authorised

Payday

Varies — check register

Book a Private Valuation

No obligation. No credit check. Bring your item — or send a photo first.

37+

Years regulated

£2.4M

Lent last year

94%

Items redeemed

4.9★

Google rating

Behind the Counter

Questions nobody asks out loud — answered in full.

Jeweler using a loupe to inspect a gold ring under warm directional lighting

Valuation Method

Secure vault interior with shelved items in protective cases

Item Security

Person reviewing documents at a clean wooden desk with a pen

Non-Repayment

Curated collection of luxury watches on a dark velvet display tray

Accepted Items

Our valuers assess four factors: the spot market price for precious metals and stones, the resale demand for the specific make and model, the condition grade (mint to fair), and current auction comparables for collectibles. You will receive a written breakdown before any agreement is signed.

Yes — provided you repay the loan plus interest within your agreed term (typically six months, extendable on request). Your item is held in a climate-controlled, insured vault. If you choose not to redeem, Pledge sells the item and any surplus over your outstanding balance is returned to you.

We contact you before the redemption window closes. You may extend for a further six months by paying the accrued interest only. If the loan lapses, we sell the item — you owe nothing further and your credit file is unaffected. There are no debt collectors, no county court judgements.

Gold, silver, platinum, and diamond jewellery. Luxury watches (Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega, AP). Musical instruments. Power tools and trade equipment. Consumer electronics (phones, laptops, cameras). Vintage coins and collectibles. Vehicles by arrangement at our Bermondsey branch.

The Trust Question

“How do I know the person behind the counter is legitimate?”

There are unlicensed buyers operating in every city. The differences below are not minor inconveniences — they are the gap between legal protection and none at all.

What you need to know	Pledge — Regulated Broker	Unlicensed Buyer
FCA Authorised & Regulated	FCA Firm Ref. 123456	Operating outside the law
Written loan agreement	Signed before item is taken	Verbal only — no recourse
Interest rate disclosed	APR stated in writing	"We'll talk when you collect"
Item insured while held	Fully insured at replacement value	Your item — your risk
Surplus returned on sale	Required by FCA rules	Profit kept entirely
Complaint escalation route	Financial Ombudsman Service	None — no legal protection
Redemption period guaranteed	6 months minimum, extendable	At their discretion

FCA Authorised & Regulated

Pledge

FCA Firm Ref. 123456

Unlicensed

Operating outside the law

Written loan agreement

Pledge

Signed before item is taken

Unlicensed

Verbal only — no recourse

Interest rate disclosed

Pledge

APR stated in writing

Unlicensed

"We'll talk when you collect"

Item insured while held

Pledge

Fully insured at replacement value

Unlicensed

Your item — your risk

Surplus returned on sale

Pledge

Required by FCA rules

Unlicensed

Profit kept entirely

Complaint escalation route

Pledge

Financial Ombudsman Service

Unlicensed

None — no legal protection

Redemption period guaranteed

Pledge

6 months minimum, extendable

Unlicensed

At their discretion

Verify us independently

Search “Pledge Pawnbrokers” on the FCA Financial Services Register at fca.org.uk/register. Our firm reference number is printed on every loan agreement and displayed in all three branches.

01/ 03

£3,200 bridging loan

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Portrait of Marcus Webb, a professional man in his 40s

Portrait of Diane Okafor, a professional woman smiling

Portrait of Tom Ashfield, a creative professional in casual wear

Marcus WebbElectrical contractor, Southwark

Click anywhere to continue

Private Valuation

Book your appointment.No obligation.

Every fee is visible before you decide. Bring your item — or send a photo first for a preliminary estimate. The valuation takes fifteen minutes. You leave with a written offer valid for 48 hours.

What to bring

Your item, in whatever condition it is in
Photo ID (passport or driving licence)
Any certificates, receipts, or box & papers
Nothing else is required

4.9 on Google · 847 reviews

Know What It's Worth Before You Walk In.

“Is pawning actually better than selling — or just getting a loan?”

Questions nobody asks out loud — answered in full.

How is the value of my item determined?

Will I definitely get my item back?

What happens if I cannot repay?

What items does Pledge accept?

“How do I know the person behind the counter is legitimate?”

Book your appointment.No obligation.