Buying guns at pawn shops

[mmitch]

MidTenn,

If you work in the 'boro or Twangtown, we've probably crossed paths. I was looking in the Madison Berry's, just yesterday.
I have learned, in some shops, the price on the tag may be just a "suggestion!"



This 3" dick special was purchased from Toliver's Pawn on Gallatin road before they were robbed, shot and, subseqently decided to no longer sell firearms from that location.
I paid low book, for it's condition, but how many do you see?

It has been accumu-lected. Resistance (on-the-part-of-the-buyer) is futile

Mike!

 

[ngnrd]

Pawn shops make money on the buy, and they make money on the sell. So, I don't see why they consistently feel the need to price their merchandise above market value just in case there's a sucker out there. I know that most shops will haggle, but I don't want to have to practice my negotiation skills every time I walk in the door. Listen, not every gun is a collector's item, or has some historical significance. Sometimes it's just gun. Price it accordingly and I might buy it.

 

[Walkalong]

Deals at pawn shops are getting slimmer these days, but they are still there from time to time. It takes patience persistence.

 

[CZguy]

I'm struck by how many people don't seem to understand the system for purchasing from a pawn shop. It's an art best learned from a Turkish rug merchant, but you can learn it on your own. The price tags in a pawn shop are simply opening bids to start the ball rolling. You have to know the actual value of the gun in order to play this game, it won't work if you just throw a number out there. For example lets say we are looking for a good used Marlin model 60. In this area they are worth $60-80 dollars. (the price tag in a pawn shop will read $125-150 dollars) Depending on the condition of the gun I would make a cash offer, of say $55-60 dollars. The owner would the look in his book to see what he had paid for it. He might or might not make you a counter offer. You still have room to negotiate, you say say that would be fine but it has to be out the door, meaning he would be the one to pay taxes. It doesn't always work, it depends how much you want to buy and how much he wants to sell. You can always walk away and come back in a week. Don't be scared to walk away, if it's more than you want to pay. If this doesn't sound like fun to you, then pawn shops may not be the place for you.

 

[JohnBlaze]

I've bought from a pawn shop before, but it wasn't where I live now. The town I live in now has one pawn shop, and all their prices are through the roof. One time they had a very used and abused ruger new vaquero and they wanted 650 for it. I ended up going home and getting on gunbroker and bought the same gun in .44 mag for $365, in like new condition. The one they were selling was a .357 mag. But then again one of my good gunner buddies has an ffl and he receives and transfers for me for free. I've gotten the best deals i can speak of on gunbroker or from individuals. My best deal ever was a Schmidt Rubin .308 for 50 dollars, and man does that gun shoot beautifully. All I had to do was clean it. Another time I was looking for a little plinking .22 for my little brother and the cheapest one they had was a beat to sh*t Marlin Model 60 for $195. I bought the same gun brand new at WallyWorld for $135, with taxes.

 

[Flynt]

I'm struck by how many people don't seem to understand the system for purchasing from a pawn shop. It's an art best learned from a Turkish rug merchant, but you can learn it on your own. The price tags in a pawn shop are simply opening bids to start the ball rolling. You have to know the actual value of the gun in order to play this game, it won't work if you just throw a number out there. For example lets say we are looking for a good used Marlin model 60. In this area they are worth $60-80 dollars. (the price tag in a pawn shop will read $125-150 dollars) Depending on the condition of the gun I would make a cash offer, of say $55-60 dollars. The owner would the look in his book to see what he had paid for it. He might or might not make you a counter offer. You still have room to negotiate, you say say that would be fine but it has to be out the door, meaning he would be the one to pay taxes. It doesn't always work, it depends how much you want to buy and how much he wants to sell. You can always walk away and come back in a week. Don't be scared to walk away, if it's more than you want to pay. If this doesn't sound like fun to you, then pawn shops may not be the place for you.

CZ, that's a great primer on buying @ pawn shops -- when they're managed intelligently. I've been amazed at how owners are apparently content with letting an item gather dust for a year or longer. They'll put a high price on a gun and let it sit there. I don't know how you can run a business that way, because they're tying up their investment for a long period of time.

 

[Quaamik]

I used to, not anymore though.

Here in Michigan pawn shops cannot take handguns on pawn. I'm not completely sure if they can buy and sell them, but I never see them in any near here so I assume not.

As for rifles and shotguns, only one shop near me ever put them out for display. The rest wanted to know what you were looking for, then would go in the back, find one or two they thought you might like, and let you see them. a waste of time if unless you are looking for a specific type of gun.

The one that used to put them out only put out 5 - 10 at a time (and they were usually rusted out crap). When they finally decided to clear out thier inventory, they had a 'smith go through them and price them, then they put the new batch on the shelf every Thursday morning (while most are at work). The local gun stores picked anything of value before lunch. Since then, they sold the place to new owners who will ONLY sell guns through gunbroker and they will not let you see them at the store or even take delivery from there (I live a half mile from them, and would have to transfeer it to another FFL to take delivery). They also sell them all as "As is - not assumed to be safe to fire", which I read as pretty much no return unless it isnt the make / model it was advertised as.

All that turned me off pawn shops for guns.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

All the shops that I used to frequent only had junk guns. I suspect the good guns didn't last long. If you ever buy a used black powder gun please check it as you might find it loaded.

 

[Ignition Override]

rondog:

If there were a chance that a Memphis/Atoka area PS would have such a classic, I would visit them. You found a gem and did excellent work.

 

[Weevil]

Over the years I found some great deals but they've got few and far between lately.

The past couple of years since the Obama Panic have been the worst. Prices are near new on anything decent and even the beat up old clunkers are way overpriced. And what's worse is most of them aren't willing to haggle and deal like they used to, same with gunshops they used to throw in a lot of extras to make the sale but now the price is the price.

At the price used stuff is going for I'd just as soon spend the few extra dollars and buy new.

 

[wvstriper]

Pegwedge what town in WV are you in?

 

[midtennpawnstar]

marlin 336 $100
comanche .357 $100
nylon 66 $60
kal tec p11 $100
mossburg 500 $125
cobray m11/9 $185
ak22 $125
colt 1911a1 $275 (that was back in 1979)

wow! Want some of those deals!

 

[midtennpawnstar]

MidTenn,

If you work in the 'boro or Twangtown, we've probably crossed paths. I was looking in the Madison Berry's, just yesterday.
I have learned, in some shops, the price on the tag may be just a "suggestion!"



This 3" dick special was purchased from Toliver's Pawn on Gallatin road before they were robbed, shot and, subseqently decided to no longer sell firearms from that location.
I paid low book, for it's condition, but how many do you see?

It has been accumu-lected. Resistance (on-the-part-of-the-buyer) is futile

Mike!

mmitch we probably have crossed paths...and we have a Colt detective special right now its in good shape prob close to what you have,but i think the barrel is shorter and it has a hammer guard on it for carrying it in your pocket and not snagging on anything.

 

[JVaughn]

I've looked a lot, and usually the price turns me off - which seems to be a recurring theme among the others here as well.

I did once buy a Coast-to-Coast model 12GA at a pawn shop for $80. It's not worth much more in cash; but it's the best shotgun I've ever owned. To me, it was a great deal.

 

[lokpyrite]

With Big AZ Al there, the local pawn shops in Phoenix are priced higher then new on some items and the other items are 10% under new and look like crap.

 

[Pegwedge]

Pegwedge what town in WV are you in?

Summersville. You?

 

[midtennpawnstar]

Actually to correct what i earlier said we have a colt agent 38 special that looks alot like yours but has a shorter barrel and hammer guard

 

[oldbear]

Pawn and second hand shops used to be great places to find good to decent prices on an assortment of items. Over the last few years it appears as if most of the deals have gone away, with prices close to or exceeding new. Nor do I have the time to go from different shop to different shop.