The short version
PawnGuru is a free, read-only directory. We don't require you to sign up, log in, or create an account to use the site. We collect the minimum information needed to run the site and understand how it's used — that's standard traffic analytics, plus anything you voluntarily send us through our contact or submit-a-shop forms.
What we collect
Automatically, when you visit the site
- Traffic analytics via Google Analytics 4 — pages viewed, approximate location (city-level, derived from anonymized IP), device type, referring source, and time on page. IP addresses are anonymized before storage.
- Server logs from our host (Netlify) — standard request logs retained briefly for security and debugging.
When you fill out a form
- Contact form: your name, email, and message, so we can reply.
- Submit-a-shop form: the shop details you provide, plus your email if you want a confirmation.
- List-an-item form: the item details you describe (title, category, description, condition, your estimated value), any photos you upload, your 5-digit ZIP code, your email, and optionally your phone number. We use your email to send a confirmation link and relay messages from interested shops. We use your ZIP to match shops in your city.
Contact and submit-a-shop forms are processed through Netlify Forms. Item submissions are stored on Netlify Blobs (our hosting provider's storage). Confirmation and message-relay emails are sent through Resend. We do not sell, rent, or share this data with third parties.
How item submissions work, specifically
When you list an item for sale:
- We store your submission on our servers (Netlify Blobs) under an unguessable identifier.
- We email you a one-time confirmation link. Clicking it verifies your email and publishes the listing to shops in your city.
- We send a notification to up to 10 pawn shops in your city with the item details and photos you posted. Your email and phone number are never shown to shops. Shops only see what you describe on the form and the city/state/ZIP.
- Shops reply through a private page we host. Their messages are delivered to you by email and shown on your item page. When you reply, your message goes to the shop the same way.
- We keep submissions and messages indefinitely by default so the thread stays available to both sides. You can ask us to delete your submission at any time by emailing us — see "Your rights" below.
What we don't collect
- We don't ask for a Social Security number, financial account number, or government ID.
- We don't track you across other websites.
- We don't build advertising profiles on you.
Cookies
PawnGuru uses a small number of cookies, all for basic site function and analytics:
- Google Analytics cookies (_ga, _ga_*) to measure visits and understand usage. IP anonymization is enabled.
- Preference cookies (if you use features like dark mode) to remember your choice on subsequent visits.
We do not use cookies for cross-site tracking or third-party advertising networks. You can clear cookies any time in your browser, and the site will continue to work.
Affiliate links
Some outbound links on PawnGuru are affiliate links. When you click one and complete an action on the partner site, we may earn a commission. These links may set cookies controlled by the partner (LendingTree, Upgrade, Express Gold Cash, etc.) — their privacy policies govern what happens after you leave PawnGuru. We encourage you to read them.
Your rights
If you live in a U.S. state with a consumer privacy law (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, Utah, and others) or in a jurisdiction with similar rules, you have the right to:
- Know what personal information we hold about you.
- Request that we delete it.
- Opt out of any "sale" or "sharing" of your information. We don't sell or share your information, so this opt-out is already your default.
To exercise any of these rights, email us at hello@pawnguru.com. We'll respond within 30 days.
Children
PawnGuru is intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13. If we learn that we have, we will delete it.
Data retention
Analytics data is retained in Google Analytics per our default retention setting (14 months) and then auto-deleted. Contact and submit-a-shop form submissions are retained in Netlify Forms for as long as we need them to respond and operate the site. Item submissions (including photos and messages) are retained until you request deletion or until the listing is closed — whichever comes first.
Security
The site is served over HTTPS with a current TLS certificate. Form submissions are transmitted encrypted. We work hard to keep data safe, but no system is perfectly secure — if you ever suspect a security issue, please email us.
Changes to this policy
If we materially change how we handle data, we'll update the effective date above and post a note on this page. For substantive changes, we'll also mention it on our homepage for a reasonable period.
Contact
Questions about privacy? Email hello@pawnguru.com.