A pawnshop like no other

Established in 1995, Agencia de Empeños de Makati Inc. is now known as a specialist in giving out quick cash against high-end collaterals like Swiss watches, branded jewelry and diamonds, important Southeast Asian paintings and other collectibles like Murano vases.

Agencia de Makati managing director J Michael Dizon started the business with one employee: himself. "I was the appraiser, the accountant, the vault custodian, the janitor and the security guard," he said.

On his first day, he processed five quick loans–three for jewelry, one for a camera and one for a painting. "I gave out P10,000 for the painting from a walk-in customer I recognized. He put down his address in the pawn ticket–South Forbes, Makati. I started with P500,000 to lend out and the company has grown since."

While other pawnshops are geared to take in jewelry and cell phone pawns, Dizon has carved a niche for his versatility in appraising practically anything. In its early years, customers brought in irons, television sets, video players, play stations, fogging machines, comic books and even golf sets. This is why he saw to his staff’s training to become experts at appraising all kinds of goods brought to them.

The company is a member of the US National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors or NAWCC, and employees including Dizon trained with the Gemological Institute of America or GIA.

As a result of its good reputation, Agencia de Makati counts the rich and famous among its clientele. Corporate executives, showbiz personalities, sports celebrities and society matrons come to pawn their Patek Philippe, Rolex and Omega watches, Cartier and Henry Winston jewelry, Amorsolo paintings or other valuable collectibles for cash.

"Most everyone will need cash sometime. We just make it easier and more comfortable for them. Confidentiality is guaranteed. There was a time when you had to go to a seedy neighborhood to pawn your jewelry, not knowing if you’re safe, much less if you could still get back your precious possessions after repaying the loan," explained Dizon.

At Agencia de Makati, clients are served with Lavazza coffee as they wait for courteous and friendly staff to process their transaction. They are assured that their valuables are protected with the latest security equipment and the best fireproof safes. Aside from the safety and security systems that are in place, all items in custody are fully insured against theft and fire.

In the end, clients keep returning because they are confident that they can get the pawned item back after the loan is repaid.

"Most people think that when times are hard, pawnshops do better. This is not actually the case. It’s a question of whether people are liquid or not. If the economy is depressed for a long period of time, people will run out of things to pawn. More than 90 percent of our customers repay their loans. It is a long-term business that aims to help customers. With this kind of business attitude, our prospects for the future are always good," Dizon said.

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Agencia de Empeños de Makati, Inc.
Ground Floor, Almeda Building
1014 Pasay Road, Makati City
Telefax: 889-7956
Email: [email protected]