Yeah, pawn shops want way way way too much for their stuff around here. I have no idea how they stay in business.
Craigslist is also getting full of stuff at near full price. Not much in the way of deals around yet.
jb
I would call myself a veteran pawn shop hopper for over 20 years now. Bought just about everything you can imagine from one, jewerly, guns, scopes, tools, TV, bikes, welding stuff, AC, nail guns, vaccum cleaner, and the list goes on. Before we moved downtown, I had about 10 near the office I made the rounds to weekly. Before we moved to a new neighborhood back in 2003, the old house had a nice supply within several miles. The new house not as many, little better part of town...hence the move
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Some things I've found...
They make some money by selling the stuff, of course, but they also loan money on items. Pawn shops can leagally charge you 25% or MORE per month on your loan.
You have to know what items cost new to properly compare.
Don't be afraid to ask for a test, they have an AC to test a nail gun, or a plug to plug something in.
Judge something by its condition to.
NEver pay list price, at the least if the item is really sweet I'll ask for the list price "out the door". IE no tax which translates to a 8.25% discount around here.
Look at the tags, sometime you can figure out a date it was put out. If its only been out a couple days, they probably won't deal much.
Don't be afraid to ask if something you need is "comming out soon". Ask them "I'm looking for an AC/Dc welder, got one comming out?". They will know and might tell you in a couple days...come back.
Look for those mis marked items. Some pawn shop owners miss things(not many). I once was making the rounds and spotted a Rem 600 Mohawk in .243 with a 3x9 Leupold. Had a few scratches but not a well known gun since they stopped making it years and years ago(the 600 was my first deer rifle...I still have that one, had as many as 6 at one time). the price was $150. I just said "I'll take it...add the tax". I was able to contain myself until I got to the truck.
Don't try and convince yourself this is a "reptuable" pawn shop and NOTHING is hot. Some of it is, some of it isn't. If there is no DL engraved on it, or SS#, who is to say it's hot of not. that's between the pawn shop owner, the cops, and the person who got robbed.
IF IF IF you get robbed...ALWAYS file a police report with serial numbers if you have them. And if you happen to see your stuff in a pawn shop DO NOT APPROACH THE PAWN SHOP OWNER!! Just look at the item, memorize the serial number, double check, obtain a copy of your police report (easy to get), then call an officer and walk in with him and produce the report. The pawn shop owner will gladly give you your stuff. These guys really don't want trouble with the cops and try not to take in hot goods. My Dad sold Senco for many years and did this numerious times with nail guns.
Don't be afraid to shop the parking lot. I bought 2 guns on separate occasions when the guy was walking in. He asked a price, we dickered, I paid the man. In Texas two folks can buy/sell guys with no paperwork. Its different if one person is a dealer or FFL holder.
And lastly don't be afraid to dicker. This is sort of gift, I don't have the full gift but am not afraid to ask. If it's $100, I'll give you $75 out the door. You have to be prepared to walk if they say no. Several times I was about to hit the door and they called me back. If I really want it, I can always come back later and buy it. This is usually on something I know is a super deal and I'm just getting a bit greedy. Or it's something I'd like to have but don't really need. I don't mind tucking my tail and caving in when I know it's already a good deal!
Have fun and happy shopping!!
