March 7, 2008
Valdosta - Gas prices have skyrocketed to more than $3.00 a gallon, and drivers are feeling the pinch.
"It's ridiculous. I don't like it. Its hard, because it's so much," says Rhendy Thaxton.
"Your stomach kind of drops, especially when you are traveling. You know you've got to be somewhere and knowing you have to pay that much more to get there, it's kind of a sick feeling," adds Christina McCleod.
It's a pain that's driving people to search for new ways to deal with the rising prices at the pump. "We've seen a big increase in business. A lot of people are coming in and pawning stuff to get gas money," says Ed Mullinax of Valdosta Pawn.
"I never thought about it, but that sounds like a good idea. It sounds like a really good idea!" Thaxton exclaims.
From diamonds to electronics and tools, pawn shop employees say they are seeing it all as more and more people are hocking their goods for gas money.
"A lot of construction workers are having to work out of town. They are pawning their tools to get gas money to get back and forth from their jobs," Mullinax says.
Business this pawn shop doesn't see slowing down any time soon. "Its not a trend I've seen a lot until now. Gas prices have really gotten higher now then its ever been, and they are saying it will be $4.00 by the time summer gets here, which is going to hurt a lot of people."
Business at pawn shops will continue to increase, along with gas prices, as drivers of all ages continue to pull into the pawn shops before paying at the pump.
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