His descendants became silk merchants and pawnbrokers. Some game shops, pawnbrokers and supermarkets provide a disc repair service. Many pawnbrokers were professional or semi-professional and operated from private shops. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of pawnbrokers. Many pawnbrokers attempted to modernise their image and diversify their businesses. Although pawnbrokers in the United States are strictly regulated, legal violations are frequent. Their loot was distributed to a network of fences, street market traders, and pawnbrokers. Some pawnbrokers have trained in identification of gems, or employ a specialist to assess jewelry. These gradually replaced the private licensed pawnbrokers throughout much of Europe. In the canton of Bern there were once two pawnbrokers. Sylvia apologises and Roy gives her back her watch from the pawnbrokers. Pamphlets published at the time referred to pawnbrokers charging 30 percent. E-fencing is an activity that criminals often mix with sales to pawnbrokers. Some pawnbrokers also sell brand-new self-defense items such as pepper spray or stun guns. Schwed wrote about his time there in the book "God Bless the Pawnbrokers".