"deals" at pawnshops ?

[iiibdsiil]

I think that the reason the Gunbroker prices seem so high is because they can't start them at a low price, as I don't feel Gunbroker has enough traffic for all the guns on there. I don't think too many guns actually get bid up, except for the rarer stuff.

I also think the dealers use it as a marketing tool. It's just a way to get their name out there. You'll find something almost what you like, and call in.

 

[bender]

wow, this thread is really going. There's differing opinions though about pawn shops it seems. Some here regularly make the circuit, and some don't bother at all.

Great posts Double Naught, and Xavier... I feel smarter now after reading thru this thread than before ...

BTW: the first place I stopped in today on my circuit... was an actual gun store, a little tiny out of the way place, a real hole in the wall... I was amazed at the low prices. It may become my favorite gun store. Is $409 a good price for a ruger P345D .45 with a stainless slide, and rails underneath for a light or laser sight...?

 

[MachIVshooter]

The "deals" at pawn shops are usually on older, collectable guns that don't "look" like they're worth much. Many times, old mil surps that are beat on will be put out for next to nothing, despite reatively high current market values.

See my recent thread here.

But no, you're not likely to find killer deals on most modern firearms.

 

[Axman]

Keep in mind that pawn shops in differnt locales will vary in selection and prices.Best thing to do is to get out there and shop, shop, shop!!!

 

[joab]

Some here regularly make the circuit, and some don't bother at all.

To me that's the key to pawn shopping
Either make it a regular ritual or don't bother.
Chances are very slim that you will just fall on a good deal by dropping in every other once in awhile

Good deals don't stay on the shelf long and if the guy knows you and your likes he will tell you when something is coming up for sale.
If he respects your haggling he will offer it up to you at a price that you will agree on more readily

 

[TimboKhan]

As for the personnel not knowing "squat"...well, they have to know about jewlery, tools, stereos, coins, guitars, and everything else that comes in. If I worked in a pawn shop, I'd know guns fairly well but diddly about musical stuff

At the pawnshop I worked at, we were basically broken down into areas of expertise, if only informally. I, for example, don't know the first thing about jewelry or car audio, nor do I particularly care about either of those two things. I do however have a better than average knowledge of guns (plus, the ability to read a Fjestad book when I don't know) and guitars, so in those two areas, I knew what was up.

 

[madmattmd]

I've found pawn shops to be a pretty good source for guns in my area.

Like others here, when possible, I'll make a regular loop of shops. You never know what will show up.

In addition, if you're a recognizable face and develop a relationship (or at least are pleasant) with the owner/staff, they'll look out for you. The brother of one of the owners of a local shop was getting rid of an AMT 1911 Government Model (which ended up being an un-fired safe Queen) which I picked up for a good price. The PS owner knew nothing about the gun but since he knew I was in the market for a Hardballer Longslide, he asked if I would be interested in the GM. I use it in IDPA competition.

I picked up a drawer worn S&W Model 19-2 (1970 vintage) with a 4" barrel for $200. Although it doesn't look good with the bluing polished off the cylinder, it is very tight and shoots great. I couldn't be happier with it.

I don't like to dicker. If I have cash, I'll ask "Is that your best price?" If it's still too much, I'll respectfully pass. I have managed to get a lower price that way and I don't have to haggle (I REALLY dislike haggling).

If they have something I want and I'm short of cash, I'll let them know. I'll pay the asking price (if it's in my personal "reasonable" range) and then put it on lay-away. I figure full price is my cost for the lay-away. But, at least that way, I'll eventually get a gun I would have had to pass up on otherwise.

Basically, if it seems to me that a shop owner/staff are jerks or not interested in my business, I'll cross them off my list. I'll spend my money with folks I like dealing with.

I keep in mind that the pawn shop is in business to make money. I'm not trying to take food out of their mouths, but I also don't want to pay for their kid's Ivy League education.

Matt

 

[rangerruck]

yessir, Possum, yessir indeed. My second best was a brand new marlin mod 60 with Express super sling for 70, cash.previous owner thought it was no good, I could tell because when i went to load it , and it wouldn't, i took it apart , and it had a 22 mag round stuck in the lifter. Now you may say that 70 dollars is not super great for an unfired mod 60 , with sling, and normally you'd be right.
It just so happens that for whatever reason, This rifle is world class accurate, and that is no joke. It will shoot one ragged hole groups at 100 yds with at least 5 different brands of ammo.
I've learned to never pass up a pawn shop.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I picked up a drawer worn S&W Model 19-2 (1970 vintage) with a 4" barrel for $200. Although it doesn't look good with the bluing polished off the cylinder, it is very tight and shoots great. I couldn't be happier with it.

You certainly didn't get ripped off. But you didn't exactly get a scorching deal, either. $200 is fair market value for 80-90% model 19's. In June, I picked up a clean 19-4 with Hogue smooth Kingwood grips and nylon holster for $199. That was at a gun shop. 3 months earlier, I got a model 65-3 stainless with Pachmayr grips for $279. For some reason, the older K-frames just aren't worth a whole lot, dollar-wise. GOod news for those of us who colect them, though!

 

[Manedwolf]

Oddly, there are NO pawn shops here. I only know of one, it's in Manchester, and open like 10-4 four days a week and that's it, no weekends.

 

[cgraham]

You have to live in the right area for deals like that: i.e. large urban, where there are a lot of outets and competition. Otherwise expect to pay $100 more, excepting lucky strikes.

C

 

[ilbob]

Years ago you could often get very good deals on coins at pawn shops. Pawn shops knew how much gold or silver was in a coin and what the metal was worth and would often base the price on that because it is so difficult to value a coin any other way. There are all kinds of books and periodicals that purport to value coins but since slight variations in condition can make a 100-10000% difference in value they usually would list them at some outrageous price and end up selling at a little over what the metal was worth.

An acquaintance of mine once bought a coin in a pawn shop worth probably $500 at the time for 10% over spot (maybe $50 back then) just because he recognized an unusual mint mark on a foreign coin and knew what it was really worth.

eBay has basically killed off most of the pawn shop deals. A lot of them market their wares there and eBay has very few deals anymore, except when someone seriously mis-describes things but puts up a good picture that someone recognizes for what it is.

I was just on a trip down south (LA, AL, TN). Saw lots of pawn shops. Wished I had time to go look. You just never know what you might find.

I think the poster that made the fishing analogy got it right. The more you look for bargains, the more bargains you will find. But you need to look at it as a hobby. In all likelihood, the time you spend looking for the bargains is worth more than the amount of money you would save.