Pawnshops or pawnbrokers are present in Skokie. These places offer secured loans to people in exchange of personal property such as jewelry, electronics and tools. The pawshop owner or manager assesses the items, determines its value, and that in turn helps determine the amount of loan that can be given. The item or property is left in the shop as a form of collateral. The creditor can come back and take the item back after paying back the loan, but if he does not, the owner can sell the items at prices he can independently determine. A pawnbroker may also trade goods and sell brand new items apart from his main activity.