FirstCash is the leading international operator of pawn stores with 3,300+ locations across 29 U.S. states, the UK, and Latin America, offering pawn loans secured by personal property.
Data compiled from public sources · Google rating shown when a stored review count is available
FirstCash, Inc. is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and operates as the leading international pawn store chain with over 3,300 retail locations across 29 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the United Kingdom, and Latin America (including Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, and El Salvador). The company employs approximately 22,000 people and is publicly traded as a component of both the S&P MidCap 400 Index and Russell 2000 Index, indicating significant scale and operational maturity in the consumer lending space.
FirstCash's core business model focuses on serving cash and credit-constrained consumers through pawn loans and retail merchandise sales. Their stores buy and sell a wide variety of items including jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, and musical instruments. Pawn loans are non-recourse loans secured by pledged personal property—customers can retrieve items by repaying the loan amount. Beyond pawn loans, FirstCash offers layaway services (with 10% down), gold and precious metal buying programs, and retail sales of merchandise. The company also operates AFF, a subsidiary providing lease-to-own and retail finance payment solutions through over 15,000 merchant partner locations.
FirstCash distinguishes itself through its massive geographic footprint and scale—with 3,300+ locations, it offers unprecedented accessibility compared to independent pawn shops. The company provides layaway alternatives alongside traditional pawn loans, giving consumers multiple paths to acquire merchandise or secure short-term cash access. Their gold-buying program specifically targets customers with precious metals researching short-term cash access. The breadth of merchandise categories they purchase creates flexibility for consumers with diverse items to pledge.
As a pawn lender, FirstCash serves an important function for credit-constrained populations but operates within the traditional pawn model: loans are typically short-term (30-90 days), interest rates on pawn loans can be substantial depending on state regulations, and consumers risk losing pledged items if unable to repay. While the non-recourse nature adds borrower-protection context from debt collection, the real cost of borrowing via pawn loans is often higher than advertised rates suggest when calculated as APR. The layaway service requires upfront capital (10% minimum), which may be challenging for the poorest consumers.
This is state-level context for Pawn Shops consumers in Phoenix, AZ. It does not confirm that Aztec Pawn & Jewelry or this specific location is licensed.
State regulator
Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions
Consumer protection
Short-term lending status: Banned
General rate context: 36% APR cap on consumer loans; payday lending banned since 2010
Arizona banned payday lending in 2010, providing strong consumer protections against high-cost short-term loans. Consumer loans are capped at 36% APR under state law. Residents can file complaints with the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions or the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.
Aztec Pawn & Jewelry offers 11 services including Pawn loans secured by personal property (jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, instruments), Retail sales of merchandise from pawn inventory, Gold, silver, and precious metals buying (customers paid cash on spot), Layaway plans with 10% down payment for merchandise purchases, Cash payment for items pawned or sold to store, and 6 more.
Aztec Pawn & Jewelry has profile signals associated with Cash-constrained consumers needing immediate funds who own valuable items to pledge, People with damaged credit or no credit history who may not meet traditional loan criteria, Consumers wanting to buy merchandise through layaway without credit requirements, Individuals with gold, jewelry, or precious metals they want to convert to cash quickly.
Key strengths: 3,300+ locations across 29 U.S. states and international markets ensure accessibility for consumers comparing profile details; Non-recourse pawn loans mean no debt collection or credit report impact if you don't repay; short-term cash access on the spot for pledged items—no waiting periods or credit checks. Areas to consider: Pawn loans carry high effective interest rates when calculated as APR, despite appearing reasonable on a flat-fee basis; Risk of losing pledged personal property if unable to repay loan within 30-90 day term.
In the Pawn Shops category, comparable providers include Express Pawn Shop, First Class Jewelry and Loan, Sunbelt Pawn Jewelry & Loan #11. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.
CreditDoc Profile Note
FirstCash is profile signals for cash-constrained or credit-challenged consumers who own valuable items and need immediate funds with eligibility claims to verify or debt obligations. The primary caveat is that pawn loans are expensive when calculated as true APR, and you risk permanently losing pledged items if unable to repay within the loan term—this is a short-term emergency lending solution, not a sustainable financial strategy.
Express Pawn operates 9 locations across San Diego offering collateral-based loans on jewelry, watches, electronics, tools, and luxury items with over 40 years of experience.
Google rating from 550 reviews
Profile signals: Individuals researching emergency-cash options with eligibility claims to verify or bank approval, People with valuable jewelry, watches, or electronics willing to use them as collateral
Houston-based high-end pawn shop specializing in designer jewelry, luxury watches, and precious metals with 35 years of experience. Offers collateral loans, buying, selling, and appraisal services.
Google rating from 567 reviews
Profile signals: Individuals with luxury watches, designer jewelry, or precious metals needing quick short-term cash without credit scrutiny, Luxury watch and jewelry sellers seeking fair market valuations from experience context-based buyers
Family-owned pawn shop chain with 19+ locations across Houston, Dallas, Irving, and Fort Worth since 2006. Offers collateral-based loans, jewelry repair, and merchandise sales.
Google rating from 2,339 reviews
Profile signals: Individuals needing immediate small cash loans with tangible assets to pledge, People with poor credit, no credit history, or who may not meet traditional loan criteria
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