Pawnshop crawling
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Pawn Shop cruising is like buying a used car. KNOW what you are looking at and don't be afraid to walk away. Having said that, I have bought a LOT of stuff over the years at PS's. Rarely have I ever felt I got jammed, unlike many new purchases at "actual firearm dealers".
ANYTHING new will lose value when you walk out the door, PERIOD!!!!! Know and understand that. PS guns (or most anything else) on the other hand, have already taken a HUGE depreciation and it should be reflected in either the tagged price, or what they are willing to take. Business is business, so of course they will mark a gun at $400 but may take $200 for it. Why not? If YOU were running a business would you let $200 fly out the window for NOTHING? Maybe a guy will walk in who just HAS TO HAVE IT and pay full price, or maybe not. Remember....don't be afraid to walk away if the sales guy/gal won't deal. Always ask for the Manager if they won't negotiate. Pawning is a business that has an enormous cash flow!!!!!! But, they have to keep merchandise moving for that cash too flow.
I was with a friend ealier this year and we were cruising the "Discount" rack at a local PS. Yes, even PS's will occassionally have merchandise they want to "fire-sale" and get rid of. He found a near perfect Chinese SKS for $99. Complete with box, cleaning kit, bayonet, ect. This was the same week we saw a beater SKS sell for $350 at a gun show.
There are some SMOKING deals at PS's sometimes, but you have to know what you're looking at and what it is worth or you can also get SCREWED!!!!! Hmmm, sounds just like every other kind of business or item purchase now doesn't it?
ANYTHING new will lose value when you walk out the door, PERIOD!!!!! Know and understand that. PS guns (or most anything else) on the other hand, have already taken a HUGE depreciation and it should be reflected in either the tagged price, or what they are willing to take. Business is business, so of course they will mark a gun at $400 but may take $200 for it. Why not? If YOU were running a business would you let $200 fly out the window for NOTHING? Maybe a guy will walk in who just HAS TO HAVE IT and pay full price, or maybe not. Remember....don't be afraid to walk away if the sales guy/gal won't deal. Always ask for the Manager if they won't negotiate. Pawning is a business that has an enormous cash flow!!!!!! But, they have to keep merchandise moving for that cash too flow.
I was with a friend ealier this year and we were cruising the "Discount" rack at a local PS. Yes, even PS's will occassionally have merchandise they want to "fire-sale" and get rid of. He found a near perfect Chinese SKS for $99. Complete with box, cleaning kit, bayonet, ect. This was the same week we saw a beater SKS sell for $350 at a gun show.
There are some SMOKING deals at PS's sometimes, but you have to know what you're looking at and what it is worth or you can also get SCREWED!!!!! Hmmm, sounds just like every other kind of business or item purchase now doesn't it?
Some other PS deal's that I've seen recently...... A Remmy 870 Wingmaster, the real pretty one, with both slug and smoothbore barrels, and choke set. Asking price, $325, and it was in PERFECT condition. I hesitated because it was a .20 gauge. I hemmed and hawed, and when I pulled my head out of my rear, I realized it would be perfect my young son who is starting to hunt with me. Went back, and it was gone. I recall that it went home for around $275. Smoking deal? Maybe, maybe not, but it was one helluva good one that I MISSED :banghead:
Same place, Remmy 870 Express 12 gau. Barrel was ugly from homemade camo attempt, gun was near perfect, not even sure it was ever fired, just "uglied-up". $175. Beat that!!!!
Same place, Remmy 870 Express 12 gau. Barrel was ugly from homemade camo attempt, gun was near perfect, not even sure it was ever fired, just "uglied-up". $175. Beat that!!!!
farscott
Member
In rural Alabama where I live, the only decent dealer is a pawn shop. As such, I have bought more than a few guns from the shop. I try to stop in once a week, am friendly, buy cleaning supplies and some ammo, and ask what is going to be available. I paid the asking price on a few used guns when I first started shopping there.
Now that I have paid my dues, I am on a first-name basis with the owner and his wife, get better deals, and the owner will order stuff for me with nothing down. He also handles all of my transfers, both in and out. If he orders it for me, I pay his asking price as I know he makes almost nothing on new gun sales. The profit is in used guns. If he has it in his case, I will not try to transfer it in unless the savings is dramatic. The only example of that is when I picked up a new Glock 37 for $100 less than his dealer cost. He understood why I did that. I also sweetened the deal by picking up some of his .45 GAP ammo. He needs to make a profit to stay in business, and some of the profit has to come from me.
I recommend being polite, remembering that a good dealer can be worth a lot more than a one-time savings of $50, and working on building a long-term relationship.
Now that I have paid my dues, I am on a first-name basis with the owner and his wife, get better deals, and the owner will order stuff for me with nothing down. He also handles all of my transfers, both in and out. If he orders it for me, I pay his asking price as I know he makes almost nothing on new gun sales. The profit is in used guns. If he has it in his case, I will not try to transfer it in unless the savings is dramatic. The only example of that is when I picked up a new Glock 37 for $100 less than his dealer cost. He understood why I did that. I also sweetened the deal by picking up some of his .45 GAP ammo. He needs to make a profit to stay in business, and some of the profit has to come from me.
I recommend being polite, remembering that a good dealer can be worth a lot more than a one-time savings of $50, and working on building a long-term relationship.
Jon Coppenbarger
Member
picked up a pistol today from a pawn shop . Thought last day of the month plus the last day of the year and with all the roads icy with the freeway closed I might find a deal. posted what I found in the auto handgun section. made a offer in cash and they accepted it.
Shadow 7D
Member
Most of the shops I've been to have the item (coated in rust) listed at 'very good with light freckling' and priced as NRA very good, when it was at best fair, and they said the price was firm, basically it was, 'if you don't buy it, somebody else will'
I asked if they would come down, and was told NO. and that was on all their guns, other wise the shops in my area have mostly revolvers and hunting rifles, neither of which I'm a big fan of.
I asked if they would come down, and was told NO. and that was on all their guns, other wise the shops in my area have mostly revolvers and hunting rifles, neither of which I'm a big fan of.
mustang_steve
Member
Of course there's no warranty. That's why a good inspection is mandatory.
Some shops will not pull the darn triggerguards off their pistols, those shops I refuse to by from, since I cannot tell if the trigger has been modified or not (if it feels like a job was done on it, leave it, it may be unsafe).
There's one shop here in particular I like. He sells older firearms mostly, but gets some really unique pieces in from time to time...his prices are also pretty flexible. He's also brutally honest about the condition of the firearm you're looking at.
Some shops will not pull the darn triggerguards off their pistols, those shops I refuse to by from, since I cannot tell if the trigger has been modified or not (if it feels like a job was done on it, leave it, it may be unsafe).
There's one shop here in particular I like. He sells older firearms mostly, but gets some really unique pieces in from time to time...his prices are also pretty flexible. He's also brutally honest about the condition of the firearm you're looking at.
therewolf
member
IME, as others have previously posted, handgun prices are unrealistically
high priced, but generally they will dicker.
Found all of my good deals at gun shops so far, but I am keeping an eye on the
PSs, too.
high priced, but generally they will dicker.
Found all of my good deals at gun shops so far, but I am keeping an eye on the
PSs, too.
jcwit
member
Up here in No. Indiana, So. Bend area the shops give a 3 day return no questions asked, and a 15 day warrenty.
IMO, there is nothing wrong with trying to get the best price on something, but if it is a good price it is a good price... nothing annoys me worse than a customer who looks at say a lightly used Glock 3rd gen priced at $440 and, when told that is the bottom dollar price we can accept, gets all pissy about "never paying full price for anything." Dont get me wrong, get the best price you can, but recognize a good price... I cannot even count how many people have passed on a friend's shop's guns because he wouldnt dicker on the price (case in point, the above used Gen 3 Glock at $440.) The same idiot then walks over to another table and comes across a used Gen 2 Glock that is beat all to hell priced at $475. Thing is, THAT dealer will come down to $450. SO, they end up buying an older gun in worse shape for more money because the dealer was willing to drop the price... Hell, we have had people pass on reparked and new stocked Garands for $675 (would be over 800 from the CMP) because they were adamant that they were replicas that we were passing off as Garands... Others passed on a used Winchester Model 70 in 7 mag for $365 because SOMETHING had to be wrong with it...
As i told him, i think he would have better luck pricing them higher and then "dropping" the price 15 bucks to make all of the (expert) customers feel warm and fuzzy inside.
As i told him, i think he would have better luck pricing them higher and then "dropping" the price 15 bucks to make all of the (expert) customers feel warm and fuzzy inside.
jcwit
member
My wife has owned her own retail business for 20 years up till retiring.
As she would tell you it all depends on how one presents the matter. If you ask, "Could you do any better?" or "Is that the best price you can offer?" more than likely one will get a courteous reply. If you look at whatever an say "I'll give you $XX.XX." My wifes reply probably can't be printed here, but believe me the so called customer knows where to go.
I have passed on a gun sale at gun showes where if the dealer would have dropped the price by 10 cents he would have made the sale, but because of his arrogant attidude the sale was lost. Yes I informed said dealer as to why the sale was turned down. Usually the dealer will try to make amends but then its to late. Opportunity lost.
As she would tell you it all depends on how one presents the matter. If you ask, "Could you do any better?" or "Is that the best price you can offer?" more than likely one will get a courteous reply. If you look at whatever an say "I'll give you $XX.XX." My wifes reply probably can't be printed here, but believe me the so called customer knows where to go.
I have passed on a gun sale at gun showes where if the dealer would have dropped the price by 10 cents he would have made the sale, but because of his arrogant attidude the sale was lost. Yes I informed said dealer as to why the sale was turned down. Usually the dealer will try to make amends but then its to late. Opportunity lost.
Spec ops Grunt
Member
Saw a Mosin-Nagant misidentified as a Carcano, with a $350 price tag.
Same place has a Russian Makarov with the tag saying 9x19
Same place has a Russian Makarov with the tag saying 9x19
Shadow 7D
Member
OUCH
and
OUCH
I too have unforutunatluy seen, even talked to counter guys who couldn't tell the difference between 9mm's, lugar, parabelluim
kurz or Makarov.
and
OUCH
I too have unforutunatluy seen, even talked to counter guys who couldn't tell the difference between 9mm's, lugar, parabelluim
kurz or Makarov.Well, I'm going to go counter to what most of the guys here have said. The pawn shops here in Phoenix seem to have their pistols(revolver and semi) priced higher then NIB:banghead: I don't know what THR policy is so I'll just send the OP the name of a few LGS's that have good prices.
Tomcat47
Member
Fireman makes good point!
If you gain a good relationship with your PS and find them out of bounds on an item, they will usually respect and appreciate, and investigate the item.
I have actually done that and he realized it was taken in on pawn and forfeited...in pricing the item the employees looked at pawn value and priced it! Turns out that they actually mis identified the gun in first place and loaned too much on it.
He repriced it fairly at an actual loss, but he said not real bad since he had made some interest payments on the pawn over a few months.
Another time he was very appreciative at my eagle eye on a Beretta Double barrell shotgun, Over/Under. I was actually interested in the gun, but as I was looking down site I saw a small problem...very slight but it was there...Right at the end of the Foreend was a small swell in the lower barrell!
He hated it but was glad I seen it and it did not get out the door.
I like my P Shops .... Love to visit them when traveling too.. lots of treasures and if you find something special and have the connection established with your local they can move firearms between each other.
If you gain a good relationship with your PS and find them out of bounds on an item, they will usually respect and appreciate, and investigate the item.
I have actually done that and he realized it was taken in on pawn and forfeited...in pricing the item the employees looked at pawn value and priced it! Turns out that they actually mis identified the gun in first place and loaned too much on it.
He repriced it fairly at an actual loss, but he said not real bad since he had made some interest payments on the pawn over a few months.
Another time he was very appreciative at my eagle eye on a Beretta Double barrell shotgun, Over/Under. I was actually interested in the gun, but as I was looking down site I saw a small problem...very slight but it was there...Right at the end of the Foreend was a small swell in the lower barrell!
He hated it but was glad I seen it and it did not get out the door.
I like my P Shops .... Love to visit them when traveling too.. lots of treasures and if you find something special and have the connection established with your local they can move firearms between each other.
BarkingSquirrel
Member
Meh, shopping at a pawn shop isn't always bad.
This morning I picked up a "used" Glock 30 that had zero wear inside or out and was still well oiled/greased. I honestly don't think it was ever fired and feels like someone got it for a gift but didn't want it. They wanted $450+tax - I got it for $300 out the door.
This morning I picked up a "used" Glock 30 that had zero wear inside or out and was still well oiled/greased. I honestly don't think it was ever fired and feels like someone got it for a gift but didn't want it. They wanted $450+tax - I got it for $300 out the door.
Spec ops Grunt
Member
BarkingSquirrel, teach me your haggling secrets.
Jesse Heywood
Member
One shop that I have bought from had a bucket of sand for those who wanted to know if the gun worked. And if you got the gun home and it didn't work he would trade you for another.
Jon Coppenbarger
Member
here in a military town I have many pawn shops to chose from. From what I have noticed there are many, many variances on what can happen. I used to buy many firearms from pawn shops but have other avenues to purchase guns now and have only bought like 4 or 5 guns from them this year.
Now everyone makes a mistake on once in awhile on certain guns and the rarer the gun the better chance you have of a mistake. some use the blue book, some use the internet like a site such as guns america and some use a set list they have. a few of them will go by the percentage they need to make the profit margin required to stay in bussiness.
A few will use everything they can to maximize profits but who wouldn't.
I find personally the most important thing is who is in charge of the shop and their feeling towards you. If they know you and know you will pay and not scam them they are more likely to deal with you. most of the corprate ones their employees will work on a bonus for sales also. The pistol I purchased today they were asking $725 plus tax. Now in my mind I knew the pistol was worth a whole bunch more than they were asking to start with. I also knew they have a bonus structure also and with it not only being the last day of the month but with bad weather the last two days their sales would most likely of been down.
I first asked if they could work with me on it and while the clerk was checking the cpu for that magic figure I also mentioned it would be a cash sale which let them also know they would not take the credit card charge hit.
They came back with $699 after checking with the manager who had dealt with me for the last several years. Now me thinking they new I was paying cash and they were not really giving me much I said if thats a out the door price its a deal. So I took it home.
Now I have also walked in after getting to know them for a few years and some of them were just interested in the % on the pawn. now in that case they may even call you or when you go in they may even take the daily printout and you know which guns are coming out or are about to come out. in other words sometimes cash talks and bs walks.
works good on gold also but that a whole new game.
Now everyone makes a mistake on once in awhile on certain guns and the rarer the gun the better chance you have of a mistake. some use the blue book, some use the internet like a site such as guns america and some use a set list they have. a few of them will go by the percentage they need to make the profit margin required to stay in bussiness.
A few will use everything they can to maximize profits but who wouldn't.
I find personally the most important thing is who is in charge of the shop and their feeling towards you. If they know you and know you will pay and not scam them they are more likely to deal with you. most of the corprate ones their employees will work on a bonus for sales also. The pistol I purchased today they were asking $725 plus tax. Now in my mind I knew the pistol was worth a whole bunch more than they were asking to start with. I also knew they have a bonus structure also and with it not only being the last day of the month but with bad weather the last two days their sales would most likely of been down.
I first asked if they could work with me on it and while the clerk was checking the cpu for that magic figure I also mentioned it would be a cash sale which let them also know they would not take the credit card charge hit.
They came back with $699 after checking with the manager who had dealt with me for the last several years. Now me thinking they new I was paying cash and they were not really giving me much I said if thats a out the door price its a deal. So I took it home.
Now I have also walked in after getting to know them for a few years and some of them were just interested in the % on the pawn. now in that case they may even call you or when you go in they may even take the daily printout and you know which guns are coming out or are about to come out. in other words sometimes cash talks and bs walks.
works good on gold also but that a whole new game.
The advice given so far is good but I will clue you in on a couple of things. First, when you are dry-firing a hammer gun, put your thumb between the hammer and the frame...don't dryfire a hamerless gun. Most dealers frown on dry-firing of any gun.
Second, if a gun is a new acquisition, the shop may or may not deal on it. It depends on what they paid for it. They will go down in price each month or so, until it sells.
Oh, one other thing, if your son-in-law is the asst. you will get a much better deal...
Second, if a gun is a new acquisition, the shop may or may not deal on it. It depends on what they paid for it. They will go down in price each month or so, until it sells.
Oh, one other thing, if your son-in-law is the asst. you will get a much better deal...
evan price
Member
Treat your pawn shops like a favorite fishing hole. Don't go too often, but don't go to long without dropping in. Make a point of getting to know the people who deal with guns. Don't be an a55 or cop an attitude because it's "Just a pawn shop" but be straightforward with the folks. Eventually if they get to know you and you prove you are a buyer they might just take your card and call when something interesting comes in, or show you something that's about to come off pawn. I've bought 4-5 guns from pawn shops, all of them were for less than half what they sell for commonly. All had been sitting for a while.
Best deal so far was a Mossberg 500 12-gauge pump gun, polished wood furniture, pre-1969 model with one arm action tube, nice blue, had the scalloped engraving on the bolt and lifter, and a hunting engraving on the receiver....looked like it had been put in a closet and never shot. Not a mark in the action or barrel. $90.
Mossberg 500A 12-ga shotgun, 26" vent rib accu-choke barrel with a Imp Cyl choke tube, factory drilled/tapped for scope mount, double beads, polymer furniture, sling & swivels, looked like not shot much but had been given a primer paint camo job for $125.
Best deal so far was a Mossberg 500 12-gauge pump gun, polished wood furniture, pre-1969 model with one arm action tube, nice blue, had the scalloped engraving on the bolt and lifter, and a hunting engraving on the receiver....looked like it had been put in a closet and never shot. Not a mark in the action or barrel. $90.
Mossberg 500A 12-ga shotgun, 26" vent rib accu-choke barrel with a Imp Cyl choke tube, factory drilled/tapped for scope mount, double beads, polymer furniture, sling & swivels, looked like not shot much but had been given a primer paint camo job for $125.
mustang_steve
Member
My two deals were:
1966 Astra Cub in .25ACP, blued with brown "speckle" grips. Original barrel/slide/magazine , bluing was excellent with brown in the typical spots and worn off around the front of the sldie (it was obviously a carry piece). Got it for $160 out the door. Cubs are very common in this area, and this is one of the nicest ones I've seen. It shoots like a champ too.
Unkown age Mossberg 500 ABR "Country Squire" 12ga with 28" rib-vent modified choke barrel and a really nice set of fiber-optic sights for $130. The trigger group has been replaced once (the R model had gloss finish triggerguards which there was no replacment model for) This is a project shotgun of mine...I plan on putting new furniture on it and cleaning up some reciever dings as well as some other minor stuff.
I really don't haggle much...if I see it and like it, I might try to knock 10-20 off the price but that's it.
1966 Astra Cub in .25ACP, blued with brown "speckle" grips. Original barrel/slide/magazine , bluing was excellent with brown in the typical spots and worn off around the front of the sldie (it was obviously a carry piece). Got it for $160 out the door. Cubs are very common in this area, and this is one of the nicest ones I've seen. It shoots like a champ too.
Unkown age Mossberg 500 ABR "Country Squire" 12ga with 28" rib-vent modified choke barrel and a really nice set of fiber-optic sights for $130. The trigger group has been replaced once (the R model had gloss finish triggerguards which there was no replacment model for) This is a project shotgun of mine...I plan on putting new furniture on it and cleaning up some reciever dings as well as some other minor stuff.
I really don't haggle much...if I see it and like it, I might try to knock 10-20 off the price but that's it.
KingMedicine
Member
My local pawn shops are just plain overpriced. a 629-3 with a 8 inch barrel was 1100 bucks, or a dan wesson 15-2 with a 6 inch barrel was 700. Ouch.
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