I posted on another thread this week about the time in Feb. of 2004 that I was in Jacksonville, and the large number of pawn shops with all kinds of cheaply priced quality tools. Not sure what it's like now, but it was wonderful back then. Only had a few hours to look around, but I could have easily spent $500 or so and quickly double or triple my money.
Up here, most of the pawn shops have been put out of business by the car title loan people.
Beerman