realistic pawn shop prices

[yellowbox]

what do you guys consider decent pawn shop prices vs new ?
i found a snapon instinct soft handle screwdriver set # sgdx80bg
for 109.00 at local shop hell they sell new for 138.90
of course i asked if they could do better and the owner said 82.00 plus tax
these were very very lightly used no not brand new but close
me i am kinda thinking 50% of retail at the most so bout 65.00 to 70.00
i may offer this and see what happens
would this be a low offer or bout right?
he has a few other items but seems like his tools are on the high side

 

[Boiler]

for snap on I've only seen them price them at about 75-80%, which is NOT good. Ebay / classified here you can find near new for 50-60% pretty regularly, especially for ratchets. More oddball stuff maybe a touch more but 65% is the max for anything IMO.

Here is your choice: is this THE ratchet you want? Can you find this exact ratchet on ebay or somewhere else, in that condition for much better? Don't forget shipping, and don't forget unseen issues like condition problems and such on ebay. I think ebay your best will be 45% plus $10 shipping for a total of $72. Do you take the ebay gamble for $10? Also, would you like to break the ice with this pawn shop guy? Being a regular customer has its advantages too.

If its the one you want and its condition is really great, I'd pop the extra $10, forgo the unknown, save yourself time searching, and get a little goodwill with a dealer.

 

[catfish]

i notice they price say a japanese made makita circular saw 15-20%% more than a chinese made makita circular saw even though the saws are identical in model and condition

i've found you can get high quality tools at these places but be prepared to pay almost new price.

 

[Ed_EOD]

I agree with Boiler.

I would maybe offer $80 out the door, but if I wanted them I would pay the 82+tax. Ebay or here would be a little cheaper but I would pay a little more to see exactly what I am getting. Also being a known customer does have some benifits sometimes. I occasionally buy things from one local pawn shop and they usually agree if I say I'll pay ** because they know I am guaranteed return customer. I also usually look around and find things to sweeten the deal.

 

[Red Green]

It varies wildly from shop to shop. One shop near me has prices that average about 60-70% and if I buy a few things at a time they negoiate. The other has the price at 80% and they don't negoiate.

Boiler is right that he has shown that they are willing to negoiate and after they get to know you or if you buy more at the same time you can get better deals.

 

[Hiball]

I love to buy at <40% but realisticly it doesnt happen very often at Pawn Shops, Normally 60-80% is how its Priced and depending on How long its been there you can sometimes do some Negotiating. I will say that Snap On screwdrivers, Even the Instinct Handle Hold there value very well on Ebay and you wont find a 8pc set for $82 bucks there. I watch daily and have never seen them that Cheap, Unless they are severly Jacked up.

 

[bonneyman]

The thing that plays against you with Snap-On at pawn shops is their name recognition. Typically the S-O tools are locked up in a separate display case. Right next to that case on the floor in a plastic bin I routinely find Bonney, Craftsman, S-K, Proto, Plomb, New Britain, etc. And my price for rats is $1-3 3/8", $5 or 6 for 1/2".
So, unless you gotta have Snap-On, sit on the floor and dig thru the "bin tools" - there are some great deals in there.

 

[therealwormey]

i wont pay much over 50-60% of retail unless they're like new and i really need it.pawn shops truly have a license to steal and i dont like making them rich.if you ever noticed what they offer somebody thats trying to pawn or sell something.they offer two bowls of rice and some chop stix and when they sell it they ask an arm and two legs.i drove a truck so i went to a lot of shops if i had down time.some are good but some think they are a retailer.if they refuse to haggle i walk out.its a pawn shop,thats half the fun.
and i agree with bonneyman,that name makes them think thay can charge full price.i had a jerk in charleston pull out a S-O book,i told him thats nice but my book is newer and this dont feel like i'm standing on a snap on truck

 

[Toolhorder]

My biggest complain buying used tools is the Snap On deal. I prefer Snap On tools but I'm not paying truck prices for used tools. Apparently the warranty makes them "new" to some people as you can "just get a new one" whenever you want according to sellers. It's pretty annoying. I just looked at a Craigslist ad where a guy is selling a FAR72 air ratchet with a broken anvil and he stated in the ad you can return it to Snap On for a new one. Huh?

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/tls/2062001013.html

 

[Major Ramifications]

As stated, it varies wildly from shop to shop. I like Cash America. They usually price things at 50% of new, but sometimes much less than that.

 

[Knipper]

This is just my $.02 but if you go into a pawn shop, it's either a last resort, or for a great deal. Therefore, if you buy anything there without setting the price yourself just consider yourself had. I'm assuming they probably paid about $15 to get that SO stuff from some poor schlub, or the guy who stole that stuff from some poor schlub. In my few experiences with pawn shops I've usually been able to get an item if I want it bad enough for well under what they are asking. Sometimes I'll get laughed at but at least I can walk out of the store knowing i'm not the crook.

My apologies if anyone here works for or knows anyone that does work at a pawn shop, but i just don't like the places.

 

[zer0cell]

A pawn shop down the street from my house wants about $450 for a snap-on chest that looks kind of like this one from what I remember. Well... at least it says snap-on... I don't know how to tell if it is authentic or not. Anyway it seems to be in good shape aside from some light scratches.

1. Is he asking way too much for a used one like this? What's a good price?
2. How would I know if its authentic or not just some cheapo one that someone put the snap-on markings on?
3. Snap-on won't warranty these right? ... like if the slides break or welds come apart etc.

 

[Packard V8]

After much consideration, I'll say "realistic" and "pawn shop prices" are mutually exclusive terms. I mainly cruise the tool pawns to know how high is too high when I go to garage sales, estate sales and flea markets.

jack vines

 

[Danglerb]

Before buying anything in a pawn or otherwise, ask yourself this question, does my Truck tool guy happily warranty everything? If not then maybe you should make some purchases off the truck and get some good will going.

I buy used Snapon when something I like turns up a good bit less than 20% of truck prices, but I've got almost everything I actually "want", in the past I've paid as much as 50% for something almost new I really wanted.

 

[King Bojack]

The pawn shops in my area carry **** tool selections and will ask like 95 bucks for a Fluke 115 with no rubber protector or case or box/manual and torn up leads etc. This is also assuming that they have something other than carpentry ban saws and claw hammers. I guess if I had an endless need for jig saws they'd be great.

Are every body else's pawn shops like this?

 

[Lump]

I agree with Packard V8, and I also agree with Danglerb.

If I need a Snap On tool really bad, and I need it for my career, then I will buy it from my Snap On dealer. I'll take advantage of his credit program, and pay it off on time. I'll expect great service from a full-time professional Snap On dealer, who really gives a damn whether I am satisified with my Snap On tool(s) or not.

If on the other hand, I am a collector or casual hobbyist who is looking for a bargain price on a quality tool, then I would NEVER pay anything over 40-50% of retail price for a used tool. Hell, hunting for a fabulous price is way more fun than trying to buy every Snap On tool I might find somewhere for sale.

If you are a serious, full-time professional wrench-turner, then a GOOD Snap On truck dealer is your friend. And if you are his regular customer, then he is the very guy who will help you if you have a problem with a Snap On tool which you found in a pawn shop or flea market. As long as you really are a good customer, and are honest with him.

 

[crewchief888]

i avoid pawn shops for the most part.
they always seem to full of worn out, broken junk with a nearly retail price tag on it. i have better luck at swap meets and flea markets.

if it's something i need, i usually buy it new,
something i want, i'll scrounge for it.