It depends on your situation. If you need cash fast, pawning is a good option, as you can usually get your item back by paying off the loan plus interest. If you're looking to get the most money possible for your item and don't need cash immediately, selling is a better option. Pawn shops will typically give you 30 to 60 percent of an item's value. However, you can often get more by selling online or through a consignment shop.