How to crack Pawn Shop Codes

[biscuit141]

OK, I need a little help with this one. i went to my local pawn shop, they are a small chain in the area, and got all ten letters.

O G X E R T S I C B

B took me a while to find, it was only on the expensive TVs. The problem is, I have no idea what word or words this could be. Below are some pictures of some of the tags, any help would be appreciated. I believe X=0 as a lot of codes end in an X. Here is also the price cose and the matching for sale price of a few commonly priced items.

code= RGXX, sale price 19.99

code= OIOB, sale price 419.99

 

[Kracin]

go to a scrabble word generator, it could giv eyou a start, it is probably two words

http://www.scrabblewordmaker.net/?letters=OGXERTSICB

 

[biscuit141]

Yeah there are a bunch of 2 or 3 word answers, no one word answers, and none of them make much sense. I don't know if looking at what the item is versus the selling price helps, but i am not too good at this puzzle.

 

[Kracin]

well if you look they have a few items where the buy amount that they bought it for has 1 x on the end, and a G before it, i would bet money that the G is a 5, doubt they would piddle around with paying 20 cents or 80 cents on something but meet someone in th emiddle of something at 50.


also, willing to bet they use some sort of sentence association to recognize their letter combination, you probaly wont get too far with it unless you get a few better hints as to what 4-5 letters mean

 

[biscuit141]

http://wordsmith.org/anagram/anagram.cgi?anagram=O+G+X+E+R+T+S+I+C+B&language=english&t=1000&d=&include=&exclude=&n=&m=&source=adv&a=n&l=n&q=n&k=1

Here are the results I found, if G=5 and X=0, that helps, but still leaves a lot of choices.

 

[RCStocker]

All the pawn shops in SoCal I have been to stink, nothing, or junk at 75% of retail. Just low enough that if you were down to your bottom dollar and needed tools right away you might buy them.

OTOH my guess is none of there clientele are very smart or they wouldn't be there.

I have had a home in Redlands for 35 years. I only live here part of the year. I am shocked you find tools for 75% off retail. I can't find them that cheap. Our local pawn has 3 larger size Craftsman screwdrivers for $19.99 You can buy them in a set of aboud 15 pieces for about $1.50 each. They wanted $275 for a 40 year old radial arm saw with mising parts, no legs and no table. I have seen nice ones for $50 and I just picked up another 12" dewalt like new for $100. I use them in construction and for dato in the shop. The new owners of our Pawn shop are young. There must be 5 in there under the age of 25 or 30 and one middle aged women. The key boards are more expensive than you can buy them new and so are all the other insterments. I really don't get the Pawn shops in California. I know things are expensive out here. But dang. I have spnt $60 in them in the past 35 years. I go junking evry week and to about 3 swap meets a week and the Mexicans get more then the white people selling. LOL They know what they have and ask crazy prices. Some of them have had the same things for over 6 months. I asked about 4 C man wrenches last sunday. All the woman could say is the man will be right back. They were the 6-9mm I figured 50 cent or a dollar at most. The man never came and she finaly said $4 each. I broke out laughing and tossed them back on the table. She started cursing at me in Spanish and I replyed in Spanish. I will not tell you what I called her. Things are really drying up out her in California. There is more along the coast than there is inland. I don't care what you are looking for it just is not showing up.

 

[op_06]

Thanks to ya'll, I'm on my way to mastering the art of the pawn shop code. Stopped by Cash America today and was amazed at the pricing of items based on their code, marylouise.

I went to another shop and was able to decipher their code in about 20 minutes, HONESTBUCK. I got a great deal on a Dewalt pneumatic finish nailer and corded ridgid reciprocating saw. Had tools in hand after offering 40 bucks on top of what they paid.

 

[10ekips]

It has been a while since I posted this... Some members may find this interesting and we have quite a few new members.... So I will put it out there on a thread...



When you look at the price tags you will see a price and a Alphabetic code.

I.E. $29.99 coded with RNNN (10.00)
$99.99 coded with LNNN (60.00)
$35.99 coded with EBNN (25.00)

Quite simply they are codes for how much the Pawn Shop has in them.


The Simple way to figure them out is to figure out what 0,1 and 2 are. The rest is easy.

By looking at the codes you can get the 0's the easiest in this case it is an 'N'

A 1 would be a 'R'
A 2 would be an 'E'



You go around to the rest of the store and find out what all 10 letters are.

When I did this I found RE were 1 and 2 (I guessed that B was 5 by looking around enough) the other letters were AULPCI and that 0 was N.

Hence REPUBLICAN was the code

R-1 E-2 P-3 U-4 B-5 L-6 I-7 C-8 A-9 N-0

You now know how much the shop has in on the item.

If you are not good with anagrams, then just get all 10 letters and get online and go to an anagram decoder. Put the letters in and it will figure out the word for you.

other common codes:

MONEYTALKS
MARYLOUISE
BLACKHORSE
VOLKSWAGEN

By the way, it is best not to let them know you have cracked their code.... I almost got the bums rush out of one place when I told them I knew what they had in on a certain tool.



-BWP

I used to do repair work for some shops in the Fayetteville NC area. Their code was:

WATCHUSGROW (X's were used for 0's)

"you're welcome"

 

[jeffmoss26]

At the drugstore I worked at in high school, our code was BREADMILKX.

 

[jakemac]

the code at the hardware store I used to work at was :

COME AND BUY
1234 567 890

 

[jd_1138]

All the ones by me are seriously overpriced. Generally higher then new, a set of Cman raised panel wrenches from 10 mm to 3/4" mixed metric and SAE $139.99. I dont even bother trying to haggle with these guys.

There was a set of Snap-On wrenches for $150 at the local pawn shop. There were 8 wrenches from 9mm to like 19mm -- with dupes and skips in between. And they were well used. There was a tag on them that said: "these are Snap-Ons! These sell for $400 on the Snap-On truck!" with about 5 exclamation points at the end. I wonder if some of these pawn shops like money? Instead of letting inventory sit around unsold at ridiculous prices.

They also had a Black & Decker circular saw covered in crud for $69.99.

 

[softailgarage]

Back in High School I worked at the local Sav On Drugstore. Their code...on drugs sav.
The last time I was in a pawn shop there was a Harbor Freight Air Dye Grinder for $75.00 . You should have seen the look on the guys face when I told him the brand and how much he could get a brand new one for

 

[lalligood]

Forgive me for bringing back an old thread, but I think I have something interesting to offer for anyone who can't seem to crack a particular store code...

My dad was a pharmacist many years ago for a chain that used a code to obfuscate the cost of the item like many of the ones that are mentioned in this thread. As an additional measure of hiding the cost, they would use a 'X' as a way of saying "use the previous letter/number again". Once you get your head around the concept though, it's just as easy to break the code as not using the additional character!

Let's say the store uses a code of PLAYGROUND for the numbers + X for the repeat character.

Example 1: The item cost is $5.00. The code would be GDX, meaning G=5, D=0, X=repeat the previous character (D). (Without the 'X', the cost would be GDD--and more easily deciphered.)

Example 2: The item cost is $11.50. The code would be PXGD, meaning P=1, X=use P again=1, G=5, & D=0. (Again, without the 'X', the code would be the more obvious PPGD.)

Example 3: The item cost is $22.00. The code would be LXDX. Here it's easy to be fooled into thinking that the cost might be $20 or that 'D' isn't really a zero. But it is. And this is a great example of where that extra character can really shine...right up to the moment where you do know the code ;-)

Example 4: The item cost is $30.00. The code would be ADXX. With the repeat character you can again be lulled into thinking that D isn't what you thought it was...and you would be wrong. Which is why the repeat character can be so valuable in its use.

Keep in mind that with my example, the role of the "use the previous character" could be played by any letter, as long as it is not one of those already used for 0-9.

HTH,
--Lance

 

[scaron]

very, very interesting thread. i've never worked retail so this is all new to me. bookmarked! i've never gotten any tools from a pawn shop but i did once get my girl a mink for less than a hundo! score!

 

[warmpancakes]

Im stumped Local pawn shop has a older snap on box. Code on the box is BAU, they paid 250.00 cant figure out word

 

[monomach]

I'm just giving up on pawn shops around here. None of them seem to have these codes on the tags. Some of them don't even use tags. A lot of the time, tool prices are higher than new. The one I went to today has made me give up all hope.

Guy told me he wanted $90 for this (no tag): http://www.sears.com/craftsman-17191-19.2-volt-c3-cordless-drill-driver/p-00917191000P

He had 5 of the Harbor Freight free screwdriver sets for $8 each (tagged).

This was $125 (no tag): http://www.harborfreight.com/60-piece-sae-metric-tap-and-die-set-35407.html

This was $120 (no tag): http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...-Saw-with-Case-6519-31/202438078#.UnFSLHDB0dM

I checked the price of each item brand new on my smartphone before I even asked him. I figured he had probably 30-40% of the new price in them and that we could work from there. Not so much, lol.

After a while, I flat out asked him whether he was giving me these prices because I look like a sucker.

 

[chris142]

Here they use a magic marker and write the price on the product. no codes involved and they will not deal.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Here they use a magic marker and write the price on the product. no codes involved and they will not deal.

And they don't get any sales as a result, I imagine.

 

[The Cobbler]

OK, so far we have :

MONEYTALKS
MARYLOUISE (CashAmerica)
BLACKHORSE
BLACKMONEY
REPUBLICAN
VOLKSWAGEN
DAYORNIGHT
NIGHTORDAY
CHARLESTON
PHARMOCIST
ABCDEFGHIJ
WORKSTEADY

...any others??

Seems that looking at repeated letters toward the end of the price tells you what the zeroes may be, so the fast way is to keep this list on you (I keep this list in my smartphone), and look for the code that matches your guess at the zeroes, as a first attempt.

auto parts place that I worked at many years ago used BUCKINGHAM with B being 1 for the cost code

 

[Pinhook]

I imagine that Pawn shops make $$$ on the loan and if they sell any junk that they got for pennies on the dollar its just gravy on top.

 

[Lambo nut]

I imagine that Pawn shops make $$$ on the loan and if they sell any junk that they got for pennies on the dollar its just gravy on top.

This ^^

Kevin

 

[Professur]

Only one near me just uses bar codes. It's all in the computer.

 

[zkling]

Im stumped Local pawn shop has a older snap on box. Code on the box is BAU, they paid 250.00 cant figure out word

What box was it? What were they asking for it?
Hum, B, 2nd letter --> 2? Maybe they do a multimple system or not count the cents? Do you have any other examples of their codes for a pattern?

After a while, I flat out asked him whether he was giving me these prices because I look like a sucker.

What was his response?

 

[thoraudio]

After a while, I flat out asked him whether he was giving me these prices because I look like a sucker.

Most of these guys don't like window shoppers. In their mind, you're costing them time. Put the item on the counter with cash in hand, and he'll be a lot nicer.

Not that that is the way it SHOULD work, but it's the way it DOES work.

 

[ffjosh]

Most use Computers now...

wonder how many put codes on there to screw with you now

 

[JasonCAT]

Pawn shops here in the Peoria area blow, too. Even well-used tools that people engraved their initials into are almost the same price as new.

 

[monomach]

What was his response?

It was something like "What do you want from me? I can't just give the stuff away, bro."

Can't remember the exact words.

Most of these guys don't like window shoppers. In their mind, you're costing them time. Put the item on the counter with cash in hand, and he'll be a lot nicer.

Not that that is the way it SHOULD work, but it's the way it DOES work.

If he's not going to put price tags on anything, he should probably expect people to ask.

 

[WildwoodChuck]

I hit 3 shops today 1st barcode, second the code below, the 3rd just paper tags no codes.

This is what was on the tags. any help cracking the code?

BKTS 27.95
AKTS 79.95
BTSS 24.95
LKTS 49.95
RTSS 169.95
CTSS 119.95

 

[jd_1138]

You can haggle at pawn shops. The prices are not set in stone. Most pawn shops around here are owned by douche bags, however, so not sure how much they will haggle. They won't give the stuff away at a bargain if they think they can sucker people who don't know their butts from a hole in the ground.

Seems like the pawn shops around here make most of their money on pawn loans. They can charge like 20% interest. When I am at pawn shops, a lot of people are coming in to pay off pawn tickets before they lose the item, and then a lot of them re-pawn the item right then and there. A $150 loan on a diamond ring would be like $30 in interest that the pawn shop receives for one month. Get 100 customers like that, and that's 3 grand/month. Not bad.

 

[rusty65]

Pawn shops here in the Peoria area blow, too. Even well-used tools that people engraved their initials into are almost the same price as new.

Hey I'm also from Peoria but now live in Pekin. If you want good deals on tools hit up Daves trading post he has tons of tools including stuff like 3/4 drive and he will give you good prices if your are nice to him and if you don't excessively haggle.


Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

 

[BJ42LX]

A $150 loan on a diamond ring would be like $30 in interest that the pawn shop receives for one month. Get 100 customers like that, and that's 3 grand/month. Not bad.

Rent, insurance, heat, cool, light, accounting, taxes, employees. Sounds like the owner might just break even.

 

[unslow1]

Pawn shops here in the Peoria area blow, too. Even well-used tools that people engraved their initials into are almost the same price as new.

I was in one today. The HF 3/8 torque wrench was $25. You can get them for $10 new. On some of that stuff I think they just are to lazy to check. I bet they gave the guy $10 for it.

 

[RV77]

Went to a PS today and found a set of Snap-on Metric deep impact 1/2 dr. sockets 10-24( some never used ) on a time saver rail for $150

Also a 3/4 IR composite impact looked barely used for $200

It was all I could do to not make an offer ( dont need them )

 

[WildwoodChuck]

Anyone?

 

[JasonCAT]

Hey I'm also from Peoria but now live in Pekin. If you want good deals on tools hit up Daves trading post he has tons of tools including stuff like 3/4 drive and he will give you good prices if your are nice to him and if you don't excessively haggle.


Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

I'll have to check that out. The places I've been going to are in Peoria, the one in Creve Coeur, and the really bad one on Washington St. in East Peoria.

I was in one today. The HF 3/8 torque wrench was $25. You can get them for $10 new. On some of that stuff I think they just are to lazy to check. I bet they gave the guy $10 for it.

Yeah, I've been kind of shocked at how much HF stuff the pawn shops carry. They're mostly trying to get more than HF charges, too.

 

[JasonCAT]

Hey I'm also from Peoria but now live in Pekin. If you want good deals on tools hit up Daves trading post he has tons of tools including stuff like 3/4 drive and he will give you good prices if your are nice to him and if you don't excessively haggle.


Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

I stopped by Dave's right before he closed today. Picked up a couple of things. Going to make a list of the wrenches I need to complete my basic set and go buy them all on Monday. Seems to be the place I've been looking for hand tools. Not much in the way of premium brands, but plenty of the kind of stuff I need just to get started at decent prices.

 

[keywestpoppi]

Is it working for all companies using the same database?

 

[keywestpoppi]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jd_1138 View Post
A $150 loan on a diamond ring would be like $30 in interest that the pawn shop receives for one month. Get 100 customers like that, and that's 3 grand/month. Not bad.
Rent, insurance, heat, cool, light, accounting, taxes, employees. Sounds like the owner might just break even.
__________________

Plus the costs for advertising! Pawn broker ads seem to be very expensive. Visiting a site like reDollar costs the pawn shop up to $5, I heard. Crazy how much this guys have to afford for ads.

 

[panknuckshovel]

It has been a while since I posted this... Some members may find this interesting and we have quite a few new members.... So I will put it out there on a thread...



When you look at the price tags you will see a price and a Alphabetic code.

I.E. $29.99 coded with RNNN (10.00)
$99.99 coded with LNNN (60.00)
$35.99 coded with EBNN (25.00)

Quite simply they are codes for how much the Pawn Shop has in them.


The Simple way to figure them out is to figure out what 0,1 and 2 are. The rest is easy.

By looking at the codes you can get the 0's the easiest in this case it is an 'N'

A 1 would be a 'R'
A 2 would be an 'E'



You go around to the rest of the store and find out what all 10 letters are.

When I did this I found RE were 1 and 2 (I guessed that B was 5 by looking around enough) the other letters were AULPCI and that 0 was N.

Hence REPUBLICAN was the code

R-1 E-2 P-3 U-4 B-5 L-6 I-7 C-8 A-9 N-0

You now know how much the shop has in on the item.

If you are not good with anagrams, then just get all 10 letters and get online and go to an anagram decoder. Put the letters in and it will figure out the word for you.

other common codes:

MONEYTALKS
MARYLOUISE
BLACKHORSE
VOLKSWAGEN

By the way, it is best not to let them know you have cracked their code.... I almost got the bums rush out of one place when I told them I knew what they had in on a certain tool.



-BWP

MAKE PROFIT is also a very popular code.

 

[slyonedoofy]

MAKE PROFIT is also a very popular code.

So is BLACKWHITE.