Pawn Shops
After visiting a local gun shop and a local pawn shop i was stuned to find that a pawn shop had better prices on new guns than the gun shop. same model and year of make, i wonder why that is? any thoughts?
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So I saw the other post about a stolen gun bought at a pawn shop. I didn't want to hijack the thread. What is the resposibility of the shop in cases like this. I was under the impression if you bought the gun from a FFL licensed shop, they took the responsibility and you have no liability. Is that not the case? Just wondering. I don't really like pawn shops anyway because they just seem like an outlet for stolen merchandise. 0 -
Anyone own or work at a pawn shop, ever?
Just had a bizarre idea about going into business. I have an eye for good stuff, I'm a hell of a haggler and I'm a pretty affable kind of guy.
Only setback would be getting startup money. Right now, I'm in a bit of a pickle. Went back to my old job after school and a few unsuccessful attempts at pursuing my hobbies as a job. Problem is that I hate it, and being a mechanic, while I enjoy the work, is becoming increasingly difficult due to some physical problems (rotator cuff injury, carpal tunnel in both hands, what could be some gnarly arthritis in my left foot, etc.), and the driving aspect wrecks my injured shoulder nightly, and it sucks.
Seems that pawnbroking would be a wise business venture in troubled times, not that I want to take advantage of the unfortunate, I'm just looking for something where I will make enough to get by without killing me.0 -
I had the day off today so figured I would do a liitle ramblin lookin at guns. I went to 3 different shops and I must say they have lost their minds. First the handguns they had looked like they had been dragged behind a pickup truck and second their prices were rediculious. I guess it depends on the clientel. I have noticed that the rifles and shotguns are always nicer than the handguns at a pawnshop 0 -
Most pawn shops around here up the sticker price on firearms. I guess it may discourage some or may be there waiting for a sucker. Its amazing what CASH can do at some of these places. 0 -
I had the day off also and went to the pawn shop. Same thing happened today as it did a month ago, no keys to unlock the long guns. They lost a sale today, I was really interested in one gun. 0 -
Yeah you are right about that. The last gun I bought at a pawn shop was a sks. I made him like a insane low price so I thought pulling my money out of my pocket he says hang on a minute goes in the back and comes out after like 30 seconds and says ok. I was like dang, I could have got it cheaper than that. Paid $105 for it. I was marked for 175 on the shelf. I did have to buy a new 30 rd mag for it the lips were in bad shape on it so I bought a 15 dollar clip from sportsmans guide 0 -
Most pawn shops I go into looking for a deal or such are almost as high as new. Most are total rip off artists. 0 -
I bought a Mosin Nagant M44 a while back for 69.95 from AIM. Shot the crap out of it, cleaned it up, sanded and oiled the stock and took it in to our local pawn shop. I traded him that my old paintball gun, some 7.62x54 ammo, and the sling/oil can that came with the M44, srtaight up for a Stratocaster. I went back in later, it's still there with a $255 tag on it. WOW! It's nice dealing with jack asses like that that screw everyone else over and wind up gettin screwed themselves.
HA![:D]0 -
I've bought quite a few guns from Pawn Shops.
I think they price them high so they can come down and make you think you're getting a better deal -- but they also do that to tools, jewelry and anything else! I don't pay much attention to their asking prices; if interested - I make them a reasonable offer. All they can say is no.0 -
Most pawn shops are too unrealistic on the value of then guns they have. I have one I go too that when I see something I am interested in I ask for the low ball and it usually is a good deal. Don 0 -
I have a couple that I like to deal with, I have never paid sticker price[8D]
Don0 -
I just don't get it....you can have twenty guns in your store and the rest is filled with tools, electronics, jewelry, and people still think the guy behind the counter KNOW something about guns.
Pawn shops usually fall into some kind of "specialty" where they have a lot of one category of things. We are a gun store...not really a pawn shop. We carry brand new guns and do a lot of trades and some pawns. Where another store down the road is mainly jewelry and another is music.....we have one counter of jewelry....some shelves with some tools on them and ten counters filled plumb full of handguns. Try searching for one that knows guns.....and doesn't just search the internet for what they have thier hands on.
The guys that are mainly a pawn shop and don't really know guns aren't BAD guys....they just aren't a gun shop. All they have to go by is "book value" and the internet to guide them. Make an offer...have CASH...maybe even see if you have a trade. Who knows what you might walk away with. Remember....the REGULAR CUSTOMERS get the best deals.0 -
I have one that I get good deals from. Havin cash (real green paper money) can always help lower the price also. 0 -
Best places to buy DVDs too.... 0 -
you are correct the dvd prices are cheaper than the flea market 0 -
I can buy brand new guns from gunshops for the same price or less than pawn shops ask for used guns. The pawnshops I have been in have the same guns year after year. 0 -
You guys need....REALLY NEEEEED....to stop in if you are ever in Birmingham. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Locust Fork
You guys need....REALLY NEEEEED....to stop in if you are ever in Birmingham.
If you sell them for a fair price and not above what a new one would cost I would absolutely love to. Also, please try and spread the sanity in the pawnshops in Houston.[:)]0 -
Not trying to offend you locust fork, I didnt know you were a pawn dealer and I am definitly not speaking on how you run your store but the ones I have been in lately here in SC have been pitiful. Hell one of them should even be condemned for the mess. It was awful I couldnt even get to the gun case. The others were all somewhat neat and organized but the sticker prices are crazy. I think like someone said earlier they are hoping some sucker will just pay it 0 -
In my past life I worked at the largest volume gun/pawn shop in Georgia (remember per volume, according to BATFE). Anyway, most people do not understand know how to negotiate properly and convince the pawnshop dealer to accept what they are wanting to spend. Most dealers want to get the most out of what they are selling, like most of us when we sell a personal item. Those dealers that have that mentality usually have a crap load of inventory that they cannot move, they are too proud of what they have. However, there are some that just want to double or triple out for what they have in it. ALL pawn shop dealers will negotiate on used items, no matter what it is. However, if they sell new products that is purchsed from a distributor their margins are much narrow.
The biggest thing is to learn to negotiate and be prepaired to walk away if they are not willing to negotiate.0 -
In early 80's, was on extended TDY (temp duty) at Ft Benning. Sent wife paycheck, lived on my TDY pay. When payday came, took whatever CASH I had left, and went pawn shopping. Found a LOT of pawn shops in Columbus GA and Phenix City AL I liked. Friendly negotiation, got some good deals, enjoyed it. Won't find a good deal in every shop, but pawnbrokers by nature tend to be friendly folks (if they are sucessful)- except this one lady that used to scream at folks that were eating in her shop (Sorry- just could not resist that![:p]) 0 -
That Pawn Shop reminds me of "Hard Hearted Hannah's" pawn shop in Clarksville, TN out side Ft. Campbell. She didn't like anyone eating in her shop either. I did find a lot of deals there, especially on tape recorders, etc. that had been brought back, and bought a .38 shrouded hammer Chief from there. 0 -
The sole proprietor or mom and pop pawnshops are the best for getting good deals. The chain shops have a lot of shoe clerks working there and have no idea what the gun is, much lest the actual value of it. It can go either way. I picked up an completely original M1A1 (paratrooper carbine) at one for $600. a couple of years ago. I sold it for $1600. a year later. On the flip side, a ragged out, mixed parts Luger was priced at $1100 at another store of the same chain less than 50 miles away.
Regular customers do get the best deals.0 -
it all depends on the pawnshop. i checked the pawnshops in Fargo yesterday and they were all really high priced. 350.00 for a yugo sks. but when i go back home to watertown i usually see really fair prices. last year i was in watertown i bought a s&w 44 mag that came in a factory wood case. i don't remember what model but i paid 350.00 out the door. i couldn't afford the gun at the time but i couldn't pass on that price so i drove 5 miles down the road and sold it to the other pawnshop for 575.00 0 -
I used to live in SLC and there where 2 shops i frequinted, one was totally dedicated to selling guns. Gallensons in downtown SLC was a great stash of fine used guns and most anything else you wanted to go with it. very little tools and they where very far on prices.
the other was Vanwagenen Finance Co. Orem. guy that runs the place can be a dick but he has over 20,000 new used and antique guns. and alot of other junk. but he Can beat anyone/everyone buy at least 40 bucks on a NIB gun. dick or not 40 bucks is 40 bucks.
I had been hunting for a Red Label for some time not going to give Sportsmens 1100 bucks for one. walked into Vanwagenens one afternoon after work and he had three one look near new for 800 bucks so i took it across the store had him pull a brand new one out of the box and gave them both a good looking over. like i said looked brand new and have had it for 5 yrs now and i bet i can still sell it for the 800 bucks i paid for it. had i not had the option of going to a couple fine pawn shops in the area. as is not the case wear i now live not a pawnshop for 100 miles. and not a big one for nearly 300 miles. I would have paid at least 1000+ bucks for that shotgun at Sportsmens Warehouse and i know that i would not be able to sell it today for 1000+ bucks. in the last 10 yrs i have bought some 20 guns, only both 3 that i can think of came from a "gun shop." all the rest from one of those two pawn shops.
I will say that some pawns are good most are bad do to the clientel in which supplies thier product. Just as one member said that some of the things look as if they where drug behind a pickup. And the prices are ridiculous...if it looks like it probably was.
As everyone here knows you must do your homework if your going to buy a used gun. i am always looking to save a little money and a pawn shop is one way that the little guy can sometimes save. i have been able to save 1000's of dollars over the last 10 yrs.
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The shop down the street from my office gives me pretty good deals. 870 Wingmaster 12ga. 26" vent with Remchock for $220 in 90% condition. But I help him put his guns on Gun Broker and sometimes put a value on a few that he's buying for him since his gun guy quit. 0 -
I went in a local pawn that is the biggest on guns. The guy was a, well, not willing to deal. He had a 98/48 (Yugo captured Kar98k re-barreled and reworked post war) but someone had ground off the commi crest roughly.
However, it had a prewar German walnut stock I wanted for my RC 1938 JP Sauer so I was interested but not at $180 plus tax.
A friend shops there and met me there and I dealt with the owner who sold me the gun for $125.00.
I ground down the poor crest botched job touched up the blue swapped the walnut stock (I refinished that and it came out sweet, could get $250.00 for that stock alone now) and put the Laminate stock from the JP Sauer on the 98/48.
The gun shoots very nicely and would easily sell for $200-250.00 if I wanted (but don't).
But, he would not let a rusted M98k go for less than $150.00 and I can buy those from SAMCO or Classic like new for $199.00 so even with the right guy it's not always a sure thing.
They can simply make a mistake on what the pay for something like any of us.
If you do not know, really know not just think you know, what the value is, do some research first or expect to be taken and you deserve it.
All one has to do is ask on a variety of forums and check GB auction prices to at least be in the ball park.
Most prices are ridiculous at most pawn shops but they are for suckers and if one knows prices and that shop will not be reasonable be glad you found out they are not worth dealing with in the future.
Wulfmann0 -
I never go into pawn shops but I have a friend who goes to all of them every day and they all know him by name. His latest pawn shop find was a pair of Brand New Swarovski Binoculars for a $20 bill.
He sold them about a month ago at the gun show for 1200.000 -
I am seeing the pawn shops around here closing. The owner of one I go to about 30 miles away was telling me his pawns have been going down at a rate of 10 to 15% the last few years. He too is thinking of selling out and moving out of the state. His prices are about right for items but as some have said cash talks. I have bought a bunch off him and always have gotten a good deal. The others shops are a rip off. One which is closing its doors had a winchester post 64 .22 lever action for 475.00 she had a closing sale and I looked at the same .22 it was marked 950.00 with 40% off not much savings. The kick is I use to work for this woman and I know her code for what she gave for the gun in pawn 40.00 buck 0 -
...boy I miss the pawn shop I used to trade at...I got to know the manager and made some REALLY good gun buys, he knew gun prices, KNEW I knew gun prices...and some great buys. I was unaware the shop sold, I walked in and was the only one who spoke english...PISTOLA? PISTOLA?...[:(!] 0
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