No problem bargaining at pawn shops

[Blacknwhitepit]

Anyone else been to the pawn shops recently? Around me, almost no offer is refused.

I.E. - I got 1/2 off a valve seat grinder just for asking: $120 to $60.

Got a 5 pound bag of all USA made sockets for $3.00

A Brand new soft grip Snap on ratcheting screwdriver for $8.00.

An imported rolling tool cab bottom and top for $40.00

Many more deals, only hit two shops today. Going back out tomorrow.

Anyone else noticing this?

-BWP

 

[billymade]

I for one, have noticed that pawn shops tool inventory is higher then usual and they do seem more motivated to sell the tools...

 

[wrenchr]

The hockshops around me are turning stuff down, everyone is out of work here!! My Wife is going down to 35 hr work weeks starting Monday. We are both still working though and that is good!!

 

[Paladin]

99% of the time, I'd agree with you about talking them down, except today I got told "We don't bargin on bulk items" when I tried talking them down on some sockets. This was at a shop in Boise I'd never been to. Probably won't go back there. BUT, I did buy a "broken" Indestro Super ratchet that I brought home for $4. I cleaned and lubed it and it functions perfect. Most shops around here will wheel and deal. I made a KILLING at some Las Vegas pawn shops over the last couple weeks. I'm talking, for example, a Proto 1-1/8" deep socket for .50 cents and SK sockets for a quarter each!

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

99% of the time, I'd agree with you about talking them down, except today I got told "We don't bargin on bulk items" when I tried talking them down on some sockets. This was at a shop in Boise I'd never been to. Probably won't go back there. BUT, I did buy a "broken" Indestro Super ratchet that I brought home for $4. I cleaned and lubed it and it functions perfect. Most shops around here will wheel and deal. I made a KILLING at some Las Vegas pawn shops over the last couple weeks. I'm talking, for example, a Proto 1-1/8" deep socket for .50 cents and SK sockets for a quarter!

Funny you should mention cost of sockets.

Four of the pawn shops I frequent sell all sockets (USA included) for 25 cents apiece. I am very flush with sockets now; however I eradicated two pawn shops of all their USA made sockets.

-BWP

 

[LoneGunman]

Theres a pawnshop in my family, pawns are WAY up and so are default rates, they are running an average of 80% defaults on tools, obviously due to the collapse of the construction industry here. The time to buy is now. Guns are also coming in like crazy and being defaulted on for ridiculously low amounts of money.

 

[dps]

It is my opinion that this is just the first wave, and that you will find prices much lower this summer when folks really start getting pinched.

 

[Bolster]

Many more deals, only hit two shops today. Going back out tomorrow.

Anyone else noticing this?

-BWP

What are the exact words you are using? Tone? What are you wearing, what do you look like when you do these deals?

I am thinking I need to dress down more when pawnhunting. Not sure of exactly how to approach...just blurt out the price I'll pay, or...

 

[Bolster]

Guns are also coming in like crazy and being defaulted on for ridiculously low amounts of money.

Guns? What are those? We don't have those in California...

 

[Paladin]

I just go to the counter with a handful of sockets and say "Five bucks?" and 90% of the time they go for it. Or, I'll just say "sockets are a quarter a piece, right?" and most of the time they say yes. Except for the shop I went to today. $3 for a beat up SK 1-1/4" socket? No thanks, I can get it for .50 cents or less at any of the other shops...

 

[bmwpower]

No pawn shops near me.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

What are the exact words you are using? Tone? What are you wearing, what do you look like when you do these deals?

I am thinking I need to dress down more when pawnhunting. Not sure of exactly how to approach...just blurt out the price I'll pay, or...

I always dress down when I go out. I have been known to grab something else (a red herring) before I discuss or ask a price of an item that I really want.

But recently, It has been just "what is the best you can do?"

I was raised being told that whoever mentions a price first in negotiations, starts at a disadvantage.

I never offer a price first. I let them tell me the price then read their eyes.

Sometimes I will pay the first price if I think a guy is really down on his luck (I.E. the guy outside the flea market in 35 degree weather when it is raining.)

Just my techniques.

-BWP

 

[back2class]

The pawn shops here are a joke! They seem to think beat up used stuff is worth as much as it cost new. NO DEALS. That was not the case when I lived up north.

 

[Paladin]

I always dress down when I go out. I have been known to grab something else (a red herring) before I discuss or ask a price of an item that I really want.

But recently, It has been just "what is the best you can do?"

I was raised being told that whoever mentions a price first in negotiations, starts at a disadvantage.

I never offer a price first. I let them tell me the price then read their eyes.

Sometimes I will pay the first price if I think a guy is really down on his luck (I.E. the guy outside the flea market in 35 degree weather when it is raining.)

Just my techniques.

-BWP

I'll give your "what is the best you can do?" a try tomorrow. I'm going to hit the local shop in the morning. They've got some SO stuff there thats been collecting dust...

 

[Rigmaster]

I've noticed the pawn shops around here are FULL of stuff, but their posted prices for the most part are still stupidly high. For example- there's one nearby that will put the new price and their price, and the new price is usually MSRP and their price is usually about 20-25% off that. For most things this is the same or more than the price you can get this stuff for new from the usual sources.


And there don't seem to be many hand tools at any of the shops I know about. It's not stopping me from making the rounds every once in a while.

One local pawn shop had a 50% off all tools sale during the last 2 weeks of December. I picked up a big bag of sockets and misc wrenches, etc for cheap, plus a Milwaukee heavy duty right angle drill for $55 (great for drilling holes in studs to run wires- gonna need to do that to finish off my basement).

I've also seen several people come in trying to pawn stuff and they were told they could not buy or loan anything for the items these people had.

I did however see a guy bring in a hand-held electric pipe threader about 2 weeks ago to sell, I think they gave him $40 for it, then it was out on the shelf the other day with a price tag of $375!!!

 

[bmwpower]

I always dress down when I go out. I have been known to grab something else (a red herring) before I discuss or ask a price of an item that I really want.

But recently, It has been just "what is the best you can do?"

I was raised being told that whoever mentions a price first in negotiations, starts at a disadvantage.

I never offer a price first. I let them tell me the price then read their eyes.

Sometimes I will pay the first price if I think a guy is really down on his luck (I.E. the guy outside the flea market in 35 degree weather when it is raining.)

Just my techniques.

-BWP

Man, you're good. I use the "price first" technique, too. I laugh when I see other people doing ALL the wrong things during such a negotiation.

 

[krusty the clown]

most of the pawnshops i have been to lately have been so high to start with i don't even bother. $119 for gearwrenches? $150 for a set of cornwell sockets? i could buy new for less..........

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I was raised being told that whoever mentions a price first in negotiations, starts at a disadvantage.

I never offer a price first. I let them tell me the price then read their eyes.

Sometimes I will pay the first price if I think a guy is really down on his luck (I.E. the guy outside the flea market in 35 degree weather when it is raining.)

Just my techniques.

-BWP

I agree with that for the most part, but sometimes I think it can be advantageous to offer a price. Because whoever mentions price first sets the range. If something you're interested in doesn't have much of a market, and is of questionable value...maybe a wide range, for example, $100-500...you're willing to pay up to $100, and you offer $50, then that might make the seller much more unlikely to say $250 or $300...esp. if they want to sell it. They might counter with $100 to try and sell it, and maybe you can meet them in the middle.

Just a theory...and I think this really only works for stuff that doesn't necessarily have a concrete value. You might end up paying more for something by mentioning price first, but you also may end up paying a lot less. A lot of it has to do with how badly the seller may want to unload it. And a buyer can never have too much information.

 

[Bolster]

I use the red herring technique. I assume that by laying the item down and asking for subsequent stuff to be priced, you are telegraphing: "not low enough yet."

Of course, it could be really irritating and the seller could be raising prices instead. Don't know.

I have had some luck in getting prices on individual items, then offering a combined price for several, that is much less than the separate prices added. Often they go for it, I think it's because the price I am offering is MORE than any of the prices they mentioned separately. Generally in that case, I simply tell them how much I will pay for the combination and hand them the money at the same time.

If they say no, then I will put it all down, or simply take one item I want the most for the price they asked.

I have learned at the 'markets, NEVER ask the woman unless you are SURE she is the boss. (The men go shopping and leave their wives to sell.) Most wives will give you a much higher price than her husband will, because they have probably caught hell selling something too cheap. THey'd rather not sell than risk the ire of their husbands, I've found. In fact, I can't remember a woman EVER backing down on price, even if she is the boss. They just say 'no' and turn away, and that's the end of it. If anybody has advice on how to bargain with women, let me know.

Maybe SnapMom has some insights?

 

[Bolster]

One other weird thing happing at the 'markets...maybe someone can explain.

I see something nice, get a price for it, nod, thank them, lay it back down. All very polite.

Then I do the rest of the market. 90 minutes later I return and ask about the same item. "What was the price on this item again?"

It will almost always go up in price on the second ask.

All I can figure is that if you show too much interest, it goes up.

 

[wrenchr]

I use the red herring technique. I assume that by laying the item down and asking for subsequent stuff to be priced, you are telegraphing: "not low enough yet."

Of course, it could be really irritating and the seller could be raising prices instead. Don't know.

I have had some luck in getting prices on individual items, then offering a combined price for several, that is much less than the separate prices added. Often they go for it, I think it's because the price I am offering is MORE than any of the prices they mentioned separately. Generally in that case, I simply tell them how much I will pay for the combination and hand them the money at the same time.

If they say no, then I will put it all down, or simply take one item I want the most for the price they asked.

I have learned at the 'markets, NEVER ask the woman unless you are SURE she is the boss. (The men go shopping and leave their wives to sell.) Most wives will give you a much higher price than her husband will, because they have probably caught hell selling something too cheap. THey'd rather not sell than risk the ire of their husbands, I've found. In fact, I can't remember a woman EVER backing down on price, even if she is the boss. They just say 'no' and turn away, and that's the end of it. If anybody has advice on how to bargain with women, let me know.

Maybe SnapMom has some insights?

One time I found a snap on ratchet in the socket bin and then asked the lady how much and she said enough to cover my lunch
I walked out paying $5.00 for a new like 3/8 ratchet

 

[Bolster]

One time I found a snap on ratchet in the socket bin and then asked the lady how much and she said enough to cover my lunch
I walked out paying $5.00 for a new like 3/8 ratchet

Well I guess you have a way with women. Maybe she wanted you to take her to lunch!!

 

[wrenchr]

Well I guess you have a way with women. Maybe she wanted you to take her to lunch!!

I should have, I might have been able to clear out the tool cabinet

 

[Danglerb]

First step to getting a good price is to know what a good price is.

Second step is knowing what you are willing to pay for it, and how badly you want this specific one.

Most tools I look at I am in the happy position of want it, but don't need it, so I am flat out not buying unless the price is very good.

OTOH I can be kind of cranky if I spend hours looking for some things I want, find some, but never get to a price I like.

 

[Vinko]

most of the pawnshops i have been to lately have been so high to start with i don't even bother.

same here.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

Most of the ones I have been to recently, the tag on the tool is just there as a formality. I would walk out as well if I thought that was their final price and they would not negotiate on it.

My principle is that it never hurts to ask for a better price!

-BWP

 

[jay50]

If anybody has advice on how to bargain with women, let me know.QUOTE]

If women won't bargin, sometimes the only way with them is to "dic'ker" to get your way....

 

[Paladin]

If anybody has advice on how to bargain with women, let me know.QUOTE]

If women won't bargin, sometimes the only way with them is to "dic'ker" to get your way....

Good call Jay, except I guess you've never seen the ladies at my local pawn shop. I still have SOME standards, so I am not willing to "****-er" with them!

 

[wrenchr]

Good call Jay, except I guess you've never seen the ladies at my local pawn shop. I still have SOME standards, so I am not willing to "****-er" with them!

Alot of booze and some shiny tools might sway you

 

[Scooterfish]

Lady in charge, Humm:

Shiny tools, = booze & light switch we may have as deal

 

[jdcompman]

These are all pretty good suggestions. I haven't been to the pawn shops around here in at least 5 years. I think I might have to go check them out today. I think there are at least a dozen or so.

 

[toadjammer]

I usually go to swap meets or flea markets with someone else. If see something I may even send my kid up to it and stand far off to not get noticed give him the most I will pay and let him go with the money. If this doesn't succeed I will go back just before I leave for the day and offer a price. If the weather and sales are bad you can ussually get a deal at the end of the day. Most of the time it is stuff I can live without especially with the online markets we have now days I try not to pay more than I have to.

 

[64merc]

Most of the ones I have been to recently, the tag on the tool is just there as a formality. I would walk out as well if I thought that was their final price and they would not negotiate on it.

My principle is that it never hurts to ask for a better price!

-BWP

I go by that principle as well. A lot of the time I strike out, but sometimes I get lucky.

 

[arkangel06]

after reading these awesome stories im going to hit up my local pawn shop and flea market with in a few weeks

hopefuly i dont come out empty handed

 

[Keep]

After reading this thread I went looking at the local shops. Not much of a deal around here.

IR 231C $95
Mac tools 3/8 torque wrench $90 (I may go back for this)
Mac 3/8 air socket wrench $90 (I cannot remember model number)

Not a lot of hand tools, lots of power tools though.

 

[econoaddict]

Only a few pawnshops near me and one of them thinks they are new retail store.

The prices they post on items are usually at full retail or above.

I was looking for a specific guitar and was tipped off that a pawnshop had one, away I went, sure enough they had it and the price was $10 more than brand new.
I took it to the guy behind the counter and made a very fair offer and he told me they had a no haggle policy and if I didnt like the price tag to please put it back and be on my way.

Their tool selection looked like something from a dump site, alot of rusty stuff and peeling chrome, very very few items in "OK" shape.

I hadn't been in there for at least a year and will probably be longer before returning.

The other pawnshops nearby are pretty cool people and seems like they enjoy the haggling deals.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Only a few pawnshops near me and one of them thinks they are new retail store.

The prices they post on items are usually at full retail or above.

I was looking for a specific guitar and was tipped off that a pawnshop had one, away I went, sure enough they had it and the price was $10 more than brand new.
I took it to the guy behind the counter and made a very fair offer and he told me they had a no haggle policy and if I didnt like the price tag to please put it back and be on my way.

No haggling...at a pawnshop?!?

Odds are good that one will be out of business before long.

 

[econoaddict]

No haggling...at a pawnshop?!?

Odds are good that one will be out of business before long.

Thats what I would figure but it is one that has stood while others have closed their doors. About a year ago they bought a bigger building, I figured they would last long at that point.

Only thing I can figure is that they ebay or craigslist the "good" stuff and leave the worst stuff in the store.

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

I envy your pawn shop stories, in my town there are TWO and neither one of them wants anything to do with tools. When they do have tools in, all of their stuff is priced at or above truck price. ( ! ) Most of the time, the pawn shops are jewelry oriented above all else.

Adam

 

[jay50]

Thats what I would figure but it is one that has stood while others have closed their doors. About a year ago they bought a bigger building, I figured they would last long at that point.

Only thing I can figure is that they ebay or craigslist the "good" stuff and leave the worst stuff in the store.

They are probably still in business due to their "other" business....laundering drug money....