Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

     (1) Melted metals means metals derived from metal junk or precious metals that have been reduced to a melted state from other than ore or ingots which are produced from ore that has not previously been processed.

     (2) Metal junk means any metal that has previously been milled, shaped, stamped, or forged and that is no longer useful in its original form, except precious metals.

     (3) Nonmetal junk means any nonmetal, commonly discarded item that is worn out, or has outlasted its usefulness as intended in its original form except nonmetal junk does not include an item made in a former period which has enhanced value because of its age.

     (4) Pawnbroker means every person engaged, in whole or in part, in the business of loaning money on the security of pledges of personal property, or deposits or conditional sales of personal property, or the purchase or sale of personal property.

     (5) Precious metals means gold, silver, and platinum.

     (6) Secondhand dealer means every person engaged in whole or in part in the business of purchasing, selling, trading, consignment selling, or otherwise transferring for value, secondhand property including metal junk, melted metals, precious metals, whether or not the person maintains a fixed place of business within the state. Secondhand dealer also includes persons or entities conducting business at flea markets or swap meets, more than three times per year.

     (7) Secondhand property means any item of personal property offered for sale which is not new, including metals in any form, except postage stamps, coins that are legal tender, bullion in the form of fabricated hallmarked bars, used books, and clothing of a resale value of seventy-five dollars or less, except furs.

     (8) Transaction means a pledge, or the purchase of, or consignment of, or the trade of any item of personal property by a pawnbroker or a secondhand dealer from a member of the general public.

     (9) "Loan period" means the period of time from the date the loan is made until the date the loan is paid off, the loan is in default, or the loan is refinanced and new loan documents are issued, including all grace or extension periods.

[1995 c 133 § 1; 1991 c 323 § 1; 1985 c 70 § 1; 1984 c 10 § 1; 1981 c 279 § 3; 1909 c 249 § 235; RRS § 2487. FORMER PARTS OF SECTION: (i) 1909 c 249 § 236; RRS § 2488, now codified as RCW 19.60.015. (ii) 1939 c 89 § 1; RRS § 2488-1, now codified as RCW 19.60.065.]