Is it my imagination, or do teams rarely to never go to pawnbrokers for these collection tasks?

Many things won't be there, but something like a pocket watch? It would be exactly where you'd be most likely to find one cheapest.

I'd get yellow pages, go to the pawnbroker pages, then work down the list giving each broker the whole list of items over the phone to see what they do or don't have.

I agree. Although I think Lizzie did suggest it this time.

Pawnbrokers were suggested when Zara & Hayley were in Croydon - but they didn't find one. I suppose they could be good for jewelry but often the brief is for an unused item.