Pawn shops: Do you actually shop at one? (credit card, price, best)

[titaniummd]

I have friends who go there to shop for 'deals'. I went to one playing naive and the guy was wanting to charge full price. It made me lose confidence in the concept. However, people being hit hard are probably pawning their stuff, left and right.

Can you actually haggle on the price? What is your approach? I look at the price tag and I can figure out when they acquired the item and how much they paid for it.

[LoneStarJerry]

Originally Posted by titaniummd

Can you actually haggle on the price? What is your approach? I look at the price tag and I can figure out when they acquired the item and how much they paid for it.

I can't speak for every Pawn Shop but I have haggled at one before, and they accepted, I also worked out a deal once where I broke up something in payments without a credit card, I don't remember exactly how I did it as this was many years ago, but it was great.

Basically don't be afraid to ask things, worst they can tell you is no. You can get some good deals on things, but like anywhere you can also get ripped off to. Just use good judgment, and be a smart shopper as you would at any store.

[Nelly Nomad]

Back in the day, I shopped a bit at the shops. Bought mostly rings and necklaces. No earrings, though. A bit too intimate. I've moved several times since then. In my current city, I don't even know where the pawn shops are.

I stopped pawn shopping on the day I saw a H U G E cockroach scurrying around in the jewelry display case. Done.

[109*]

i got a really nice gold cross from a pawn shop fo $10.00. i went in to the local pawn shop to buy a guitar and they were really expensive so i went to a music store and found the same guitar(new) for like $50 less.

[Katie1]

Best way to go about pawn shopping is to price the item New at several stores then check out pawn shops for the item & of course check out the item. Then make them an offer.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by titaniummd

I have friends who go there to shop for 'deals'. I went to one playing naive and the guy was wanting to charge full price. It made me lose confidence in the concept. However, people being hit hard are probably pawning their stuff, left and right.

Can you actually haggle on the price? What is your approach? I look at the price tag and I can figure out when they acquired the item and how much they paid for it.

I went to a couple and found the prices on things more than you can buy them new for in Wal*Mart!

[titaniummd]

It was 15 years ago, but I was looking at a Soloflex at the time, and they had it priced at $1999 which was about full retail.

However, my friend gets CDs and Movies for cheap and it caught my attention.

What if the thing was stolen and you bought it though, what happens?

[Katie1]

Chance you take! A friends house was broke into ALL her stuff was found at a local pawn shop!

[fnord]

Most items at pawn shops seem to be overpriced. However, I get great deals on VHS and DVD movies - like 50 cents to $3. Have also found good deals on TVs, microwaves, and vacuum cleaners. The high ticket items like guns and musical instruments are always overpriced - cheaper to look in your local classified ads.

[Prettygyrl777]

I haven't but I would probably pick Goodwill, Mustard Seed or any of those places before I go to a pawn shop. I've always been under this impression that the majority of that stuff was stolen goods. I could be wrong but you never know.