Pawn Shop socket/wrench hunt

[The Fall]

I've lurked for a while and really appreciate all of the knowledge I've gleaned from this site.

One tip I picked up on was checking pawn shops' "loose bins." Having seen beat DeWalt orbital sanders going for $5 off retail, I avoided the places for years. This weekend I went out and found some screaming deals. $40 got me over 40 CMan, Proto, Blackhawk and S-K sockets, as well as six offset box wrenches (Cman, S-K and Proto). Prices ranged from $.10 to $.25 a socket. While I occasionally buy Snap-on with my student discount, this is a nice way to build up a second US supply on a budget. I've got more time than money.

Just wanted to say thanks.

 

[D.J.]

Your welcome and welcome to the board. Please put the area you are from in the profile so we can see where you are from.

 

[Richard Cranium]

When you have more time then money there is a lot of deals to be found.
Craigslist and ebay.

 

[The Fall]

Done. And likely back to lurk mode! Also, the Proto/Blackhawk stuff was essentially nothing. But the Mac wrench I found was apparently worth its weight in gold (or roughly retail).

Back on the hunt next weekend.

 

[The Fall]

When you have more time then money there is a lot of deals to be found.
Craigslist and ebay.

Definitely. It's all about the high-quality tools less remembered.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Welcome to the boards, you'll find a wealth of information out here, Most of these folks have forgotten more than I am ever likely to know

 

[The Fall]

Thanks, Empty Pockets. The wealth of arcane knowledge on tools here is unparalleled. Definitely one of my favorite sites.

 

[BigT69]

Welcome to the boards, you'll find a wealth of information out here, Most of these folks have forgotten more than I am ever likely to know

 

[1badbird]

Love hunting the local pawn shops for sockets, lots of good deals to be had.

 

[chris142]

Not here. They price all tools 50%-75% above new. I saw one of those $90 2-stroke hf generators on sale for $279

 

[The Fall]

Not here. They price all tools 50%-75% above new. I saw one of those $90 2-stroke hf generators on sale for $279

They sell complete sets for more than retail here as well. HF offset box wrenches for 15 bucks. Ridiculous. Same for the high-end truck stuff. That's why I never went. The loose stuff is a total steal. With patience, I can see putting together some sets over time.

My wife rules and she went with me this weekend. She mentioned camera lenses selling for 150% over retail. I only went because I heard a few people on here mentioning the loose bins. And they were right. If it's not Snap-on, Mac or Matco, it was pretty much all the same to them.

 

[Bierisch]

They sell complete sets for more than retail here as well. HF offset box wrenches for 15 bucks. Ridiculous. Same for the high-end truck stuff. That's why I never went. The loose stuff is a total steal. With patience, I can see putting together some sets over time.

My wife rules and she went with me this weekend. She mentioned camera lenses selling for 150% over retail. I only went because I heard a few people on here mentioning the loose bins. And they were right. If it's not Snap-on, Mac or Matco, it was pretty much all the same to them.

You CAN find SO, Mac, and Matco in the loose bins, and it can be worth it to buy it lumped in with some others just so they don't spot it when you set them on the counter and offer $2 for 20 sockets. Helps if you find the cutest girl in the shop to talk to.

 

[The Fall]

Yep. It varies. Some didn't even look at what I brought from the bins. I just hope to get those folks when I do find the really awesome stuff. It was a totally new experience. I always avoided pawn shops for their outlandish prices.