Pawn shops see high end possessions

TAMPA - Doris Sempert and her husband Bob like coming to Capital Pawn every once in a while.

"I am here to get a little extra money today," Sempert said with a smile.

Times for them, like a lot of other people, are tough. Sempert is hoping to get a few hundred dollars for a gold ring she's had in her jewelry box for a while.

"When you lose close to half your nest egg, like we have, you have to think about some other ways to get discretionary money," Sempert told FOX 13, "I'm sure we aren't the only ones that have that issue."

That's where Joe Cacciatore comes in. He says he's helped a lot of people lately in a bind.

"We are the oldest loaning institution on this planet. Pawn shops have been around since the medieval times," Cacciatore explained.

What he's noticing is a new trend, higher end stuff coming through his Busch Boulevard store – Rolexes, for example, by the dozens.

"It's called a Pearl Master Ladies Rolex most expensive one they make," Cacciatore said as he showed off the diamond studded stunner.

Diamonds, jewelry by David Yurmin and John Hardy are also among the items for sale. Not long ago, a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, who will remain anonymous, pawned his Super Bowl ring.

"These are things you don't see often," Cacciatiore said, "Because they belong to wealthy people that don't have to get in this situation but they're here too because the economy affects everybody."

Everything from ivory statues to family heirlooms, people are selling it— or pawning it for a little extra cash.

"Believe me we've helped a lot of people save their houses, their cars, their businesses," Cacciatiore added.

Business owners come to him in trouble needing to make payroll and willing to sell their own personal items to make it
"These are people that have been in business for 30 and 40 years in Tampa Bay area," Cacciatiore told FOX 13.

The market's tough... but there's is one thing right now that is still hot-- and it's gold. Doris knows that, and luckily for her, she can take the money or leave it. The nest egg is going, but right now they're using this money to have a little fun.

"I can go through my jewelry box, find the things I don't like, don't wear and they give me money so I can buy something I do like," Sempert said.