I spend a good bit of time in pawnshops tool shopping. I keep a list of tools I need as well as a lift of pawnshops in my truck. If I get a weekday off of work or school, I'll generally go by a couple on my way home.
Last week, I bought a set of Cornwell shallow metric 1/4-drive sockets, complete, on the rail, for $10. I also bought a Mac 1/2 drive ratchet for $1 (Yes, one dollar!), and an almost complete set of like-new Snap On 3/8 deep metric sockets for $15. The socket prices are pretty typical, but the ratchet was an incredible score. The sockets I'm keeping to replace some Craftsman stuff, and the ratchet I gave to a buddy of mine who needed it more than me.
I don't even look at the tools that are in display cases or that have prices right on them. I go to the big 'bins' of loose tools, and sort through them to find the good stuff.
Is it like walking on to the truck and being able to get exactly what you need instantly? Of course not. The extra time is worth it for me, though, and I enjoy rifling through the junk to find the goodies.
adam