Pawn gun buyers

[Ghost Tracker]

Social Change & Pawn Shops

I've bought a LOT of things in Pawn Shops over the years; Audio Equipment (Bose, Carver), Guitars (Yamaha, Martin), Guns (Colt, S&W), Sporting Goods (PING)...but I've noticed something over the last 15-20 years. Pawn Shops once were the only "fast cash" supplier. If you NEEDED money, it was the primary option. The Pawn across the Main Gate at Military Posts were GOLD MINES for both the Shop owner and cash buyers. But with the introduction of Check Advance services & the ease in which ANYBODY can get a Credit Card...Pawn Shops are no longer the only option available to get fast cash. So, Pawns have fallen farther down the "Social Ladder" and, as a result, don't HAVE the quality or quantity of goods they once had. Let's remember, Pawn Shops originally worked under the idea that you pawned an item, rather than sold it, because you eventually wanted it BACK. I don't think people see Pawn Shops like that anymore.

What 15 years ago would have been a common find in a quality Pawn Shop is now a Golden Egg. But the PS Owner still knows a Golden Egg when they BUY one. Today, it's more likely to go on e-Bay than sit waiting to be recognised by that rare walk-in buyer with the combination of knowledge & cash. Nope, Pawn Shops will never be what they once were. It's just a downside of the Information Age.

 

[Deanimator]

I used to visit the pawn shops around Ft. Knox back in the '80s. They were uniformly overpriced, and usually dishonest, about on the level of crooked driveway contractors.

 

[Cliff47]

I went into one of a national chain of pawn emporiums in my old home town, only to find that they had the odd side-by-side shotgun. One of the fellows there told me that since they did not have the proper FFL (corporate-level decision I betcha) they were shipping all firearms to an out-of-state shop (sounded kinda fishy to me, but since they had no selection, they lost my business).

Funny thing, an independent pawn shop two blocks away had a pretty fair selection. They were even ready to haggle on the price of a coupe of the items.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Ask most youngins' (under 25) where to get cash if badly needed but flat broke. They'll tell you Check Cashing Advance, Credit Card Cash Advance or Loan from Family. Pawn Shops just aren't on their radar much anymore. And they'd NEVER think of buying good-condition used items as long as they can "afford the payments" of an in-store Credit Card and buy NEW. It never crosses their mind that it costs them +50% more plus interest!