Pawn Shop Blues

[Nebraska03]

Has anyone ever been to a pawn shop to search for loose tools (random stuff in bins), and depending on who rings you up at the counter, the price might increase significantly?

I like the selection that my local shop has, but predictably, when a particular employee rings up my order, (I'm assuming the manager/owner), he always seems to double whatever anyone else behind the counter would've charged me. I understand it's a business and he can charge whatever he wants, but some of the stuff in those bins has been there for several months, is either grungy or rusty, and doesn't appear to move.

I'm starting to think that perhaps he assumes that I am putting my purchases on eBay after I get it. Rather, I just clean it up, and then give it to friends or family who might need a wrench or screwdriver for a project.

I'm not trying to rant, I've just wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience.

 

[zakmartin]

Just buy your tools somewhere else.

 

[Nebraska03]

I try to, but there has been 2 other pawn shops in the area that have closed in the past year and a half. It's not so much that I need the tools I find, but they're nice to have when you do need them.

 

[lwlobo]

You have to be willing to say, "I was thinking more like $10 or $12 (if he's at $20)." Be willing to leave the tools on the counter and walk out and more often than not you'll get your price or something much closer to it.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I've seen pawn shops that price things openly and those that pile stuff everywhere without prices and you have to ask for them. I prefer the first type since I can tell if it's even worth bothering to look.

I haven't seen a bin of sockets or similar yet, but then I'm not even sure what a reasonable price for sockets and wrenches would be at a shop.

 

[Imcrazy]

Ask them what they want and haggle before you put it on the counter.

If its more than I want to pay I say its too high and walk off. For example they have a Warn pullzall at the local pawn shop for $249. I can buy it brand new at Northern down the street for $199.

 

[ChevyEFI]

It sounds like you need to either: walk, or be sure to go there when someone else is working and then eBay it, or not buy tools you don't explicitly need since that practice is penny wise, pound foolish.

 

[hickmlg09]

The local pawn shop I go to sometimes does that. I usually just deny the price. Haven't been their for awhile since i have been in school and busy, but when I go you know I am digging in the bins for a long time. I maybe am their for like 20 mins in each bin. The bins arew big totes of tools! The owner is nice and always gives me a deal, but the other guy who works sometimes jacks the price double.

 

[Nebraska03]

I usually would pick up a few small odds and ends, and most of the time when I'm there it's not too busy. I don't go for big ticket items because I'm on a budget. Usually I'll get a short chat, "hey, how's it going? how's the family?" from an older employee when I come to pay at the counter, etc, and then I get charged some really good deal. Instead, I got charged double, and the lady in line behind me started laughing because she thought he was joking. But when he said the price again is a serious, flat tone, she looked at me and was like, "he's serious?!" So I told him I didn't need them that badly, put the loose tools back in the bin, nodded to him and left.

Oh well, it's life, right?

 

[hickmlg09]

I usually would pick up a few small odds and ends, and most of the time when I'm there it's not too busy. I don't go for big ticket items because I'm on a budget. Usually I'll get a short chat, "hey, how's it going? how's the family?" from an older employee when I come to pay at the counter, etc, and then I get charged some really good deal. Instead, I got charged double, and the lady in line behind me started laughing because she thought he was joking. But when he said the price again is a serious, flat tone, she looked at me and was like, "he's serious?!" So I told him I didn't need them that badly, put the loose tools back in the bin, nodded to him and left.

Oh well, it's life, right?

What was the price? Usually I get like 4 or 5 named brand sockets for like $1. I always look for odd and ends also because at some point I usually will need them. The pawn shop I go to keep the snap on behind the counter. Sometimes you can find them in the bins.

 

[jbighump]

i dont buy unless there willing to move on the price a little....just 2 weeks ago i picked up a snap on hard handle screwdriver,,snap on brake spring tool and a 3/8 metric craftsman socket set for 11 bux cash....its easy to deal when u pay cash

 

[KEH]

Random thoughts: "..maybe he thinks I'm going to put them on Ebay." I doubt if he cares what you are going to do with the tools, anyway, it's not his business what you do with them after you pay for them and walk out. Like the other posts said, if the price dosen't suit you put the tools back and walk. They will be easier to deal with after you do that once or twice.

Prices for used, non truck tools seem to vary across the country, remembering that condition is important. Here they want about $1.00 each for common sockets, less when bought in quantity. Wrenches up to 19mm about the same. Common non truck ratchets $10-$12. I/4 drive ratchets less. I paid $18 for the Cornwell ratchet i posted about earlier, argued about it, but wanted to complete a 3 ratchet set.

Pawn shops and tool jockeys recognize Snap on stuff and charge more. Other tool truck stuff they don't get too excited about, usually. There has not been much tool truck tools avaliable lately. Recently at a flea market that has 2 fairly large dealers and a couple of small ones there was only one Snap ontool availiable, a 17mm combination which I bought at a reasonable price, $2.00. I think a lot of mechanics are out of work and have already sold their tools, or are sitting on them. Somebody has new Craftsman tools, don't know the story on them. No, they are not NOS.

KEH

 

[Nebraska03]

On average, I can get a handful of items, i.e.- a couple screwdrivers, a handful of loose sockets (5-8 sockets depending on size), and a 2 or 3 wrenches (3/8-3/4 size) for around $5.

Today I had two old 4-in-1 screwdrivers and half a dozen timing wrenches, and the guy wanted $10.

 

[Nebraska03]

Two of the timing wrenches were Craftsman, and the screwdrivers were US made. Other than that, the other four timing wrenches were no-names.

 

[justanengineer]

The pawn shops around these parts all seem to want new prices for almost everything and dont like to haggle. The only time I tried haggling with them over a tool (flooring nailer), the employee told me the standard price if it wasnt already in their system was the highest ebay sale they could find. I've seen them price individual sockets for the truck brands, the bins of random tools are reserved for Chinese rust.

I still go "hunting" regularly tho as they have DVDs for $1 and DVD seasons for $10-15 quite often. I also go somewhat for the comic relief of seeing the crazy **** ppl bring in that they resell. One of the local shops had not one but two of the Garrett walk through TSA style metal detectors they were selling a few months back.

 

[Gary S]

I've had bad luck at pawn shops. I've never found any tools there worth taking home, so I never got to the counter to find out that they might want for them.

 

[zuk123]

Pricing is totally inconsistent employee to employee. I go to a lot of different shops. The best one for me is down the street from my house. They mostly sell tvs, tires, and jewelry, but have a couple of bins full of loose tools and hundreds of pounds of loose sockets. I stop in pretty regularly, find a handful or a bucket full and usually get a good price. Several of the guys recognize me on sight, and that helps. If they don't know the tool and have to ask a person hidden behind a wall, then the price tends higher but still good.

This store is part of a regional chain, and I have gotten bucketloads of good stuff for a buck or two a pound at all their stores.

Where I have the worst luck on prices are the one or 2 store family places. I'm convinced that some people get in the business to justify their hoarding tendencies, and don't actually WANT to sell the stuff.

My approach is always the same. Take a pile, or the item to the counter, ask "what were you thinking for all this?" and wait. If they start looking at brands, and counting, it will usually be too high for me. I rarely try to bid them down. I either say "yep, I can do that" or I say "wow, that's a lot more than I was thinking." If it's too much, I put the stuff back and thank them as I leave. No point in getting angry, or emotionally involved, and if I couldn't afford the time wasted, I shouldn't have stopped in.

You can build a really nice tool collection for pennies on the dollar if you are patient, lucky, and always looking.

zuk

 

[PECVD2]

Pawn shop sockets:
I never give more than a buck for USA made non truck. 3 bucks max for truck brand sockets. If they want more I walk
On wrenches I go see this guy. (picture complements of OLDMAN NM). He charges 2 bucks for most USA made non truck wrenches. He doesn't display his truck wrenches, ratches and sockets but has them. He will try to get 10 bucks or more for each until he gets to know you as a regular then he will work with you some.

 

[gol4]

I go to the same one of a chain here in town they have many bins and tools boxes to dig through. The price varies by employee as well. Each time I go I ask how they price loose tools and each time they say just let them know what you want and they will give you a price. I went one weekend had 2 fist fulls of wrenches and pliers. One was a plumb double box shorty. I guessed 15-20 bucks. The gal at the counter yelled across at the old guy. Charged me 3 bucks. Next time I had a hand full of some wrenches etc the young guy Charged me $10. I protested but he was firm. I paid him and left kind of pissed off. I priced one of the wrenches I bought on ebay and I was $10 plus shipping. Turned out he had stood firm at $1 a tool. I keep going back because I can't get a better deal consistently.

One thing I did notice about them is each time I go there I pay cash and they never charge me sales tax or give me a receipt.

 

[biscuit141]

Just make him an offer. I always ask first what is there best price regardless of what the price tag says. Then I tell them what I am thinking. Tell them you have cash and wait for their answer. Hold to your price and if they wont budge you have to be prepared to walk. I bought a 1/2 Cman wrench and a 14 piece Cman allen set I think they were asking $9 for both and I offered $5, she said $8, I said $5, she said $6.50, I said nothing, she finally said OK $5. But you are right it also depends on the luck of the draw with who you deal with. I have dealt with people who think they were doing me a favor by taking off the sales tax.

 

[JASTECH]

I normally pay .05-.10�0„4 for sockets, then .25 or so for wrench's. I have not been in a while so starting to have withdrawls. I will take my son Wensday on our Man's Day Out, as he (6) calls it to a Frosty and then pawn shop.

 

[Danglerb]

I like to test the water before I dig in the bins too much. Pick out a few items, get a price, if I like it look for more, if I don't then I cull what I have picked and get a price on maybe just one or two items.

I try not to burn bridges, never tell somebody their price is too high, just over my budget, or nicer than I need. I also try to buy at least something, helps them remember me as a customer.

Sometimes I may prime the pump a little, tell the person on the counter I'm looking for a few decent tools for a truck bag etc.

In SoCal I have had no luck at any pawn shop, or thrift store, but sometimes the swap meet guys have a good deal.

 

[camarotoolman]

The net killed good deals in pawns. Most of them sell on line or at least look up prices. Cl has hurt the pawns too, people don't pawn, they sell it themselves.

 

[capswin]

Pawn shops are probably selling tools that were stolen from people who need them to make a living! I would stay away.
I know there is always someone willing to profit off of someone else's misfortune. Not me.

 

[honcho]

For dealers, one of the best things about selling tools like loose sockets, ratchets and wrenches is that you can have a LOT of them in stock and they don't take u a ton of floor or shelf space. Especially if they display them in bins or something similar. Plus, for the most part hard tools don't deteriorate or become obsolete if they sit on the shelf for months or years. A 19mm socket will still be a 19mm socket when a mechanic needs it.

Consider a digital camera. Those 2-3 megapixels cameras that were $700-1000 new are worth $10-20 IF you can find someone willing to buy it.

Or, consider a power paint sprayer of the kind that has the big pump for commercial painting. They retain their utility and an older one in good working shape will paint just like a new one. However, seems like the manufacturers stop supporting older models and the tips, seals, etc... get harder to find and the older ones just aren't as desirable. Plus they take up a fair amount of floor space to keep on hand.

My point is that a pawn shop or other dealer can afford to have a lot of common hard line tools and ask whatever price they want. Sure, they may not sell many but one $10 tool is the same as 20 $.50 tools. With the digital cameras they need to move them before the value drops and so there's more motivation to get them out the door. Similar with the power sprayer. Of course, every seller has their own method of valuing their inventory and how much their cost is to keep some item on hand. Some stores believe in turning inventory and other stores believe in maximizing individual item revenue.

I've made a few great deals at pawn shops but they've generally been on esoteric items that probably wouldn't have sold quickly anywhere. I miss being near a big Army post with tons of pawn shops and lots of turnover. Made for interesting pickings!

 

[fatfillup]

You definitely need to get the people to recognize you as a regular. Always be nice. Negotiate politely. In my store, people who negotiate politely and are regulars get good deals. Many of my regulars don't even negotiate any more cause they know I will discount to them automatically. If you come in as an ******, you will be shown the door quickly.

 

[sk farmer]

You definitely need to get the people to recognize you as a regular. Always be nice. Negotiate politely. In my store, people who negotiate politely and are regulars get good deals. Many of my regulars don't even negotiate any more cause they know I will discount to them automatically. If you come in as an ******, you will be shown the door quickly.

he phil, shouldn't you be taking pictures for that 10,000 post tribute thread? are you stalling for time by hanging out here?

 

[fatfillup]

he phil, shouldn't you be taking pictures for that 10,000 post tribute thread? are you stalling for time by hanging out here?

Busted

 

[sk farmer]

Busted

you can run but you can't hide from the farmer!

 

[Scooterfish]

I see what the fatman is up too. He should spend more of his time taking pics.

 

[onemore]

The rise of TV shows seems to be driving up the prices. A good bargin is getting harder to find.

 

[TwoInch]

i always ignore price tags at pawn shops. ill offer a bit less than im actually willing to pay, and come up once to what i am willing to pay. if they dont accept. i leave the item there.

pawn shops generally double the amount of what they gave for the item, so figure they have 50% of their sticker price to come down generally before losing money. in my experience, if you offer 75% of their asking price, they are generally going to accept it, or be close to that number anyway.

as for loose tools in bins and such, i generally grab a couple and do a test run with an employee and see if they will play ball. if i pick up 5 or 6 sockets, ill offer something like 6 bucks, and see what they say. finding the right employee is probably the biggest factor in getting deals at pawnshops.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I am a pawn shop fiend. My local ones are great, and know me well. Last week I stumbled across a 13A Milwaukee Sawzall, excellent condition, listed on Amazon for $189.99--pawn shop price $110.99, but 50% off all tools. I took it home for $60 with the tax. Nearly new and 1/3 of retail? I'll keep buying them for that price.

I posted about it here, but a few weeks ago I bought a Marson M-4 pneumatic riveter for $45 OTD. Retail is $450. Condition was "good" but perfectly functional. 30 day warranty on everything I buy too, as they know I won't "borrow" stuff and break it in order to return it. People should be hanged for that kind of nonsense.

 

[camarotoolman]

Because of the net, its harder to get deals. The shops all sell on line or look up the retail prices. Because of cl they don't get stuff coming in because people sell it themselves, which you can't blame them at 10 cents on the $1.00

 

[camarotoolman]

Because of the net, its harder to get deals. Shop all sale on line or look up prices. Also because of cl, they don't have stuff coming in, people sell it themselves.

 

[skyking]

A pawn shop makes it's money on the stuff in the back room.The interest is around 20% per MONTH !! 240% per year .All that **** up front is the junk they didnt pick up. All pawn brokers would love to have "0" merchandise for sale.
I owned a pawn shop and I would loan or pay 25% of the new cost of an item and sell it for 50% ,hoping to double my money . Pay day loans , gun laws ,wal mart China ****, are what have hurt the pawn brokers the most.The shows you see on TV are **** ! we just dont see the high end stuff, more like a broken toaster.

 

[Jason280]

Its all in building a relationship with the people behind the counters, and going from there. I've gotten some ridiculous deals at pawn shops, on everythig from guns and tools to TVs and computers. That being said, I am pretty firm with what I am willing to pay, and have no issue leaving the merchandise behind if they aren't willing to budge. I've learned which shops are willing to deal, and generally stay away from the ones that aren't flexible.

Personally, I love pawn shops, and there is one locally that I probably visit 2-3x per week.

 

[kc-steve]

Speaking of relationships, do you suppose Pawn Stars will ever fire ChumLee? That guy gets away with "murder." Might as well be a guberment worker.

Steve

 

[PECVD2]

Speaking of relationships, do you suppose Pawn Stars will ever fire ChumLee? That guy gets away with "murder." Might as well be a guberment worker.

Steve

Yeah I have been in my business (R&D) for 30+ years. Every place I have ever been, gubberment, industry and most ma&pa places I have worked with have at least one Chummer on staff. Ours is actually a critical component to our team. He doesn't mind doing all the shiot work, getting dirty, picking up the breakfast burrittos etc. Without him our place would be totally out of balance. Yup he screws up every excel maintainence file and every small machining job he he has ever touched but when the real **** needs to be done the guy just makes it happen.

 

[NWphotog]

At this point all the Characters in Pawn Stars are rich. For example Chumlee drives a Maserati. I think most people don't realize how well paid reality TV stars are paid.