Pawn Shop tips - Page 2

ntenny · #21 12-22-2012, 05:19 PM

Serious zombie thread, but I guess the topic is of perpetual interest.

I think the great deals are mostly a function of just being in the right place at the right time. Pawn shops mainly live on volume, not profit margin, so they depend on turning items around quickly. It's not worth their while to leave the item on the wall for six months in an attempt to squeeze another five bucks out of it.

And occasionally they flat-out make a mistake. My wife got a full toolbox once for a price appropriate to the toolbox itself; apparently no one bothered to consider the value of the tools inside, and there was a *lot* of value in those tools. They may just not have known what a set of die cutters was, I suppose.

-NT

mpdd · #22 12-22-2012, 06:42 PM

i saw a really nice orange bass practice amp for 75 bucks, unfortunately i didn't need one, i guess they thought orange was a discount brand cause all of the ancient peavey and randall stuff was priced a lot higher

Demonjrx · #23 12-22-2012, 07:24 PM

I snagged a $400 dollar Esp bass for about $70 at a pawn shop once. The apparently had it since March and couldn't sell it. I was honestly going to make an offer for $100, then I went in and the price had dropped. I think you need to 1. Know the value of a bass (Make sure they aren't trying to convince you an Sx or Squier is a Fender, or that an Epiphone is a Gibson.) 2. Take notice of how long it's been there, the longer it sits, the less valuable it becomes to them, which makes them lower the price out of desperation. Also if you do make an offer be firm. If they reject it, come back in a few weeks later, they might change their minds if it's still there.

Demonjrx · #24 12-22-2012, 07:26 PM

I should mention that same pawn shop from my last post also had a Squier Affinity Bass priced at $250. They swore up and down it was a Fender Jazz bass. I'm still not sure if they got ripped off or if they're trying to rip someone off, either way it was funny.

abstractart06 · #25 12-22-2012, 07:32 PM

Good deals can still be found everywhere. I look every chance I get, where ever I am. The key is to know what you are looking at and be ready to deal today.

I always offer 25 to 30 percent less than they are asking and always get it. I have found instruments and gear in almost new condition. It also helps if you are handy and can do your own setups and touch up work.

You can turn a modest investment into a gem with just a little knowledge and effort.

scrimjer · #26 12-22-2012, 07:34 PM

You have to hang around buy other things to break the ice with some shops, they know you can buy stuff and, always, have the wad of cash ready when you go in, because they want to make a fast deal. Not wait for you to make up your mind or get money.

ryco · #27 12-22-2012, 07:45 PM

Start by offering a price really low. Usually these guys are pretty motivated to get cash and and get stuff out of their shop. I picked up a Sunn Concert head a few years ago for $125. I would've paid over double that, but I told the guy $100 was all I had. After acting like I was really digging through my wallet I "managed" to come up with another $25. He wasn't pleased - but I sure was!
GREAT head! Love it! Running it through a GK 410MBE and it's sounds awesome! Dang simple, pure, and LOUD!

oleskool · #28 12-22-2012, 09:02 PM

Good deals can still be had. If you are going into a place of business that buys and sells things looking for a steal, good luck with that. Know your stuff, set a price that you will not go above, start below that price, show them the cash, thank them for the time and walk if they are above your set price.

I told this guy $65, he tried to pull the plus tax, I said that's ok, sorry to waste your time, and started walking to the door. He stopped me, and asked was I going to walk over a few bucks.... my answer was if a few bucks is not worth walking for give it to me for $60 +tax, now is a few bucks worth walking. Look at the price. The case alone is worth that. Fits T40 bass, T60 guitar.

Kmonk · #29 12-22-2012, 09:08 PM

I haven't seen a decent guitar or bass in a pawn shop in over 15 years. Then again, there really aren't any in my area. The closest one is 10 miles away and is very small. Most of what they have is very low price beginner level instruments.

Demonjrx · #30 12-23-2012, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmonk

I haven't seen a decent guitar or bass in a pawn shop in over 15 years. Then again, there really aren't any in my area. The closest one is 10 miles away and is very small. Most of what they have is very low price beginner level instruments.

Regardless of how nice an instrument is new, 9 times out of 10 if it's in a pawn shop it isn't being taken care of properly. Nothing is gonna be good coming out of a pawn shop hahah

MarkMgibson · #31 12-23-2012, 05:50 AM

I drop into pawn shops all the time, and every now and then it does pay off. With big name brands, they usually know what they're worth, but when it comes to less common "boutique" brands, I've come across a few bargains over the years. As others have said, you have to be more knowledgeable than they are, and then it's a matter of luck.

Stormer · #32 12-23-2012, 06:28 AM

having worked for years in one of these shops, my tips are:

Have good knowledge of the item.
For the love of God, test it. (take as long as you need)
Bring cash.
Dont come across as to "know it all".
Dont come across as too dumb.
Dont quote prices in other shops/ebay, etc.. (the staff dont care)
Any warranty or guarantee??? get it in writing (cannot stress this enough)
If wanting to haggle, dont mess around, come straight out with the price you want to pay. Start about 15-20% lower than you are willing to pay.
Dont ask "whats your best price?". The price on the tag is their best price.

Another good idea is to try and get to know the guys/gals that work there, i not only managed to get some really great stuff for myself ('95 mia pbass mint condition for £130) but i would offer better deals to people i got to know.

Brad Johnson · #33 12-23-2012, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonjrx

Regardless of how nice an instrument is new, 9 times out of 10 if it's in a pawn shop it isn't being taken care of properly. Nothing is gonna be good coming out of a pawn shop hahah

That does not match my experience.

Brad Johnson · #34 12-23-2012, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormer

having worked for years in one of these shops, my tips are:

Have good knowledge of the item.
For the love of God, test it. (take as long as you need)
Bring cash.
Dont come across as to "know it all".
Dont come across as too dumb.
Dont quote prices in other shops/ebay, etc.. (the staff dont care)
Any warranty or guarantee??? get it in writing (cannot stress this enough)
If wanting to haggle, dont mess around, come straight out with the price you want to pay. Start about 15-20% lower than you are willing to pay.
Dont ask "whats your best price?". The price on the tag is their best price.

Another good idea is to try and get to know the guys/gals that work there, i not only managed to get some really great stuff for myself ('95 mia pbass mint condition for £130) but i would offer better deals to people i got to know.

While I agree with most of this, I've repeatedly gotten amazing deals by asking "What's your best price?". For example, I wouldn't offer $79 for a Bag End S15 cab, GK 800RB or Polytone Minibrute III but that's what I paid for each.

Smallmouth_Bass · #35 12-23-2012, 10:44 AM

I was surprised to have answered a Kijiji ad in Montreal only to later find out that it was a pawn shop. I got a pretty good deal on a virtually new set of high hats.

**mjac28** · #36 12-23-2012, 11:02 AM

I stayed in pawn shops back in the day local music stores didn't have the internet competition and there was no eBay so prices were take it or leave it on occasion the local newspaper had a few used instruments for sale so unless you knew someone was selling some of their gear the pawn shop was it. I wouldn't call pawn shops sleazy I just think it's the nature of the business you have to know what something is worth it's best to pick a few things out and go do some research impulse buying is not a good idea and if you can take someone with you that has knowledge about necks etc that is a plus good luck.

**mjac28** · #37 12-23-2012, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Johnson

That does not match my experience.

+1 with this economy people want a quick loan on their gear thinking they can get it back out right away sometimes it doesn't work out that way.

Smallmouth_Bass · #38 12-23-2012, 06:03 PM

With the Internet and all the resources available, it's surprising that there may still be any pawn shops that wouldn't do their research and try to get market value, at least to start.

Brad Johnson · #39 12-23-2012, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smallmouth_Bass

With the Internet and all the resources available, it's surprising that there may still be any pawn shops that wouldn't do their research and try to get market value, at least to start.

I've found the best deals on more obscure stuff that may not readily show up in closed auctions on ebay, etc. And when they can't find info on an item they usually don't risk too much on a loan and don't require as much if that loan tanks and they have to sell an item. The 800RB I bought was tagged "no name home stereo", the Bag End cab was tagged "no name speaker". It's funny how often people who say there are no deals don't actually know what a deal is. Not speaking about anyone in particular.

I'm far more knowledgable than most on the items I tend to look for and for things I'm ignorant about I don't bother unless I've done rock solid research. I know musical gear, audio/video, electronics, tools and computers and I've had excellent luck at pawnshops, consignment and thrift stores because I know what I'm looking at. And thanks to the internet I can look up items while I'm at one of those places in case I'm short on recent info.

I don't look at pawnshops as sleazy because they are not a monolithic establishment, that would like looking at car dealers as sleazy as if there's just one type. And tbh I don't know why many folks do. I've seen credit cards from big banks that charge higher interest rates and for many folks who for whatever reason don't have access to other funds it can be a way to secure funds quickly.

I was at a pawnshop one day when a youngish guy pulled up in a BMW with high dollar athletic wear on and he came to get a loan against a Rolex watch. On his arm was another Rolex watch. So pawnshops are sleazy.

two fingers · #40 12-23-2012, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pamlicojack

The best place to go nowadays are pawn shops in military towns. I used to get the best prices back in 1990-91 when I lived in Eastern NC. When the troops deploy, the prices magically drop.

Works well with auto dealers too...

Yep! I still live there. Military towns are known for deals right after a big deployment. Marines in particular will by a bass or guitar just because they are a gagillion miles from home with disposable income. Then once they try to learn the thing..... not so easy is it? Just before they set out on a long deployment, they will pawn off all the stuff they bought that they really don't need for some extra cash. Hey, Pamlico, I was in Havelock during that time myself.