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I hate pawn shops
- Thread starter Torkk
- Start date
"Predatory" is right - where I live (Florida), they're allowed to charge more than 300% APR on pawn loans. Then on top of that, they're allowed to keep stolen properly (Florida Statutes 539.001 (15)(a)) and are allowed to charge the legitimate owner to get it back, despite laws against trafficking in stolen goods. Only way around that is to go through the time and expense to file an action against the shop and get a court order to force the shop to return the property (and if you screw up the procedure and don't get that court order, you're on the hook for the shop's legal fees), only after which the law *finally* says that it's the pawn shop that eats the expense if they can't get paid by the thief.
I'm not a big fan of pawn shops.
So it's sad that those of us that have a love for something get priced out by those looking for to make a cheap dollar on eBay. It's a fact of life but still sad.
I hate pawn shops around my neck of the woods (Ya gotta have pawnshops for all the dope heads around here!). All I see is junk instruments that's less than $200.00, even if it were new. Finding a Squier Bass around here, would be the equivalent to finding a Carl Thompson for $300.00 at a pawnshop anywhere else in the country. Because nobody around here (a) Can get a job, or (b) They're just a lazy piece of **** that won't get off their ass and go get a job. And, a lot of the people that do go to work around here, they're just workin' just to support a damn pill habit. Man, this place is ****** up, bad. It's really depressing. People will even pawn their own kid's XBox off for $50.00. Ain't that some sh!t? But, that's the kind of couples that can get spit kids out just for pastime. And, here I can't have kids 
. I just don't get it. I really don't. Damn, I'm gettin' bummed out. Now I need a pill for depression.....
. I just don't get it. I really don't. Damn, I'm gettin' bummed out. Now I need a pill for depression.....
The condition issue doesn't bother me - I always thought the whole grungy beaten-to-hell thing was what pawn shop instruments were supposed to be about.
But I agree with what's been said, that the internet changes everything. You're a lot less likely to find anything really good, because people with good stuff are putting it on CL or ebay or the TB classifieds rather than going down to the pawn shop with it. What's left is a lot of starter-kit stuff, and probably stolen goods. You're not likely to get a great deal either, because the shop can google what it is and get a good price estimate for what it's worth same as you or I can.
But I agree with what's been said, that the internet changes everything. You're a lot less likely to find anything really good, because people with good stuff are putting it on CL or ebay or the TB classifieds rather than going down to the pawn shop with it. What's left is a lot of starter-kit stuff, and probably stolen goods. You're not likely to get a great deal either, because the shop can google what it is and get a good price estimate for what it's worth same as you or I can.
So don't go there. Problem solved.
There are too many who think there are super deals to be made, both in physical shops and online auctions, that what's sold goes for way too much money. Maybe there is a once in a lifetime find but from what I've seen most stuff is way overpriced. I'd much rather spend a little bit more and buy new, or directly off a person to cut out the middleman.
I have purchased two basses from Pawn Shops. I passed on a Jaguar Bass that a was offered to me at a very good price from a local pawn shop. I suppose it all depends on the shop and the clientele. My MIM was from a pawn shop in one of Baltimore's less desirable neighborhoods. I had cash & the owner wanted to move it out of inventory.
I love to browse Pawn Shops. I just found my Ampeg BA 112 in pretty much mint condition for $145 at a Pawn Shop. I could not pass it up.
I really enjoy browsing Pawn Shops I found my AMPEG BA 112 for $145 bucks pretty much in mint condition. But they don't seem to have the amps and basses they once had.
Because they aren't what they used to be, I don't visit pawn shops so much anymore. But.... the other day I did have time to kill and dropped in on one across the street from where I had to be. They had a black MTD Kingston CRB with maple neck. It had been marked at $249, which is right for a piece that goes for $500 new. It was marked down to $100, and as soon as I touched it, one of the clerks was right behind me saying "I can take more off that" Walked out with it for $75 tax included. He did not give me a receipt saying "it's as is, you don't need one" so maybe my money went straight into his pocket, or lunch for the staff, will never know.
So maybe deals are fewer and farther between, and maybe your odds are still best on lesser known brands.
The bass by the way plays amazingly well. Did change it out to flats, dress some fret ends, and swap the pots for 250k's to get a little more vintage sound. But even at $250 it would have been worth it, for $75, just crazy.
So maybe deals are fewer and farther between, and maybe your odds are still best on lesser known brands.
The bass by the way plays amazingly well. Did change it out to flats, dress some fret ends, and swap the pots for 250k's to get a little more vintage sound. But even at $250 it would have been worth it, for $75, just crazy.
The Internet. It changed everything. As was stated, five minutes worth of online research (as simple as browsing eBay's "completed listings") will give you a fair price ballpark.
But, for the more obscure instruments, knowledge is power, and if you KNOW what to look for you still might score.
Pawn shops are just a reflection/product of the socioeconomic conditions of their local clientele.
But, for the more obscure instruments, knowledge is power, and if you KNOW what to look for you still might score.
Pawn shops are just a reflection/product of the socioeconomic conditions of their local clientele.
I miss pawn shops of yesterday. I scored some cool deals in them 10 or 15 years ago. Nowdays they are more like eBay consignment shops. They have everything listed on eBay for sale. If you want to compete with the ebay idiots, pony up. So I pretty much don't go to pawn shops anymore.
I disagree with the comment about pawn shops taking advantage of the misfortunate. Those who sell to pawn shops are either too lazy or too stupid to market their item in the normal channel. Like any venue of convenience, there is a price to be paid. There are no laws stating that if you want to sell your personal property, you have to do so through a pawn shop.
I DO feel that because the pawn shops buy at such a low price under market, they should be held more responsible for receiving stolen property. All items and moneys should be held in escrow for 10 days. No legal action on the item, release money for loan. I once witnessed a woman frantically trying to recover her jewelry that a family member stole / pawned. Because she was not the original payee of the loan, they were not obligated to talk to her. They were being such pot lickers that I almost butted in on her behalf. I totally lost respect for my favorite pawn shop that day. They could have helped that lady but didn't.
I disagree with the comment about pawn shops taking advantage of the misfortunate. Those who sell to pawn shops are either too lazy or too stupid to market their item in the normal channel. Like any venue of convenience, there is a price to be paid. There are no laws stating that if you want to sell your personal property, you have to do so through a pawn shop.
I DO feel that because the pawn shops buy at such a low price under market, they should be held more responsible for receiving stolen property. All items and moneys should be held in escrow for 10 days. No legal action on the item, release money for loan. I once witnessed a woman frantically trying to recover her jewelry that a family member stole / pawned. Because she was not the original payee of the loan, they were not obligated to talk to her. They were being such pot lickers that I almost butted in on her behalf. I totally lost respect for my favorite pawn shop that day. They could have helped that lady but didn't.
Hopefully if you are ever down on your luck, other people will have a more charitable attitude. Some people did not have a very good upbringing and no one taught them essential life skills that many of us take for granted.
Stick_Player
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- Nov 13, 2009
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Sad for who?
It's called: "Free Market".
If one needs/wants more money... go and get more money. Otherwise...
I disagree. Whoever sells something to a pawn shop was going to sell it anyway, and if they get less for it than they would have gotten on the street, then it's their choice. They pay for not having to deal with placing ads, taking bids, setting up meetings, checks and/or credit card hassles, etc.
I love visiting pawn shops been doing it for 35 years
I know where every one in the state is. I use to do my Christmas shopping there. I find all kinds of new items for half the cost.
But it's not the same since EBay popped up
The resale market for the pawn shops was locale before EBay but now it's international and they can action there wears at the highest price now.
I know where every one in the state is. I use to do my Christmas shopping there. I find all kinds of new items for half the cost.
But it's not the same since EBay popped up
The resale market for the pawn shops was locale before EBay but now it's international and they can action there wears at the highest price now.
I lost my 1st P bass ( it was a parts bass that I bought in 1980 that had a serial number that dated to 61, but was highly modded) to a pawn shop when my wife was ill. I pawned her for 150 and made 2 payments on it for so they had $96 in it. When my wife passed, I had some money I went back and they had it hanging with a $1200 price tag , I offered them $600 and they refused, they thought it was all original, they wouldn't come down so I built a new one. That being said, I also have made some great buys at pawn shops. It is much tougher now as everyone knows what everything is worth by doing an ebay search. People who would never play a guitar or bass that scout for deals will buy them just to flip if they beat you to deal.
I find the key to getting a deal is being nice and checking the date on the price tag, the longer it sits the more likely they are to flip it. The chains have the best prices and are more likely to haggle.
I find the key to getting a deal is being nice and checking the date on the price tag, the longer it sits the more likely they are to flip it. The chains have the best prices and are more likely to haggle.
