What is the deal on Pawn shop pricing?
- Thread starter mrcpu
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thebaldguy
Member
I've had mostly bad experiences with guns and pawn shops. Prices were way too high, and they wouldn't budge. I saw guns sitting for months on the shelves and racks that didn't sell.
For the record, I have never purchased a firearm from a pawn shop. I found better guns elsewhere at better prices.
For the record, I have never purchased a firearm from a pawn shop. I found better guns elsewhere at better prices.
Dr. Dickie
Member
I have never done it, but the Holy Grail of good gun prices is considered to be "Estate Sales."
As these are usually widows selling their husband's guns, for the price the husband said he paid for it!
As these are usually widows selling their husband's guns, for the price the husband said he paid for it!
Hemicuda
member
I got a Remington Nylon 77 in SENECA (yes, Seneca, not K-Ma-Part) green in LIKE NEW condition, with the original box, and paperwork, from a Lansing, Michigan pawn shop for $79.00 OUT THE DOOR...
As Remington Nylon's go, that gun is one of the rarer variants, and in merely decent condition I have seen them go for 300 bucks...
you GOTTA know what you are looking at, and what it is worth, BUT, the deals ARE out there!
As Remington Nylon's go, that gun is one of the rarer variants, and in merely decent condition I have seen them go for 300 bucks...
you GOTTA know what you are looking at, and what it is worth, BUT, the deals ARE out there!
mogunner
Member
Pawn Shop pricing
There is a pawn shop in my little town, that has an Hi-Point .40S&W in their display case for $159.00. It has been in the display case for nearly a Year and he will not come down on the price. I offered a 100.00 for it and he laughed and said it was already on sale for the 159, he tried to tell me it was worth at least 200. I suppose it will sit in his display case for another year.
There is a pawn shop in my little town, that has an Hi-Point .40S&W in their display case for $159.00. It has been in the display case for nearly a Year and he will not come down on the price. I offered a 100.00 for it and he laughed and said it was already on sale for the 159, he tried to tell me it was worth at least 200. I suppose it will sit in his display case for another year.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
You know guys this has really turned into a very interesting thread, at least
for me. You see, a little history lesson is in order here. My current employer,
Simmons Sporting Goods actually started out in the clothing business 'round
1900. The business grew from just another clothing business, to a PAWN
SHOP in the very early days; then in 1945 it became Simmons Sporting
Goods. We have been in the same location since the begining, so you
might say our corner should have a "historical marker" put in place.
I remember going into this business as a very young lad with my now
deceased dad, many-many moons ago. It was always an enjoyable
experience, visiting our friends at the family owned and operated
PAWN SHOP. Today, we are not in the PAWN business; but the
traditions and customer service as set forth by the Simmons family
ancestors carries on today; as we offer 12 month interest free
financing, and a easy 90 day Lay-A-Way plan. So in closing, come
see us at the historic Simmons Sporting Goods located on the corner
of 2nd Avenue and 20th street in downtown Bessemer, Alabama.
for me. You see, a little history lesson is in order here. My current employer,
Simmons Sporting Goods actually started out in the clothing business 'round
1900. The business grew from just another clothing business, to a PAWN
SHOP in the very early days; then in 1945 it became Simmons Sporting
Goods. We have been in the same location since the begining, so you
might say our corner should have a "historical marker" put in place.
I remember going into this business as a very young lad with my now
deceased dad, many-many moons ago. It was always an enjoyable
experience, visiting our friends at the family owned and operated
PAWN SHOP. Today, we are not in the PAWN business; but the
traditions and customer service as set forth by the Simmons family
ancestors carries on today; as we offer 12 month interest free
financing, and a easy 90 day Lay-A-Way plan. So in closing, come
see us at the historic Simmons Sporting Goods located on the corner
of 2nd Avenue and 20th street in downtown Bessemer, Alabama.
TimboKhan
Member
having worked in a pawnshop, I can tell you that the markup is not 300%. Generally, the loan given is about 25% of the value of the item, to include depreciation, with guns being about twice as high. If the loan defaults, then we mark up about 75% of the loan, and the lowest we will sell it for is about 30% over the loan value.
That being said, that was what my pawnshop did. Some pawnshop do charge excessive amounts, and the reason for that is really pretty simple. At least half of the people that come into pawnshops think that everything is a bargain, and thus don't really try that hard to negotiate down. In other words, if I am overcharging on a gun by, say, 80 dollars, and your not smart enough to know that, if I give you 20 or 30 bucks off, you leave thinking you got a great deal, and I am still richer by 50 or 60 bucks. If your savvy, there are plenty of good deals to be made in pawnshops. If the guy behind the counter won't deal, just move on, or wait until another guy will.
One other thing to consider is that the people that are behind the counter aren't infallible. I once overloaned a substantial amount on a model 70 because I read the book wrong and thought it was a better rifle than it was. That rifle is still sitting there (4 years later) because no one is going to pay the price they are asking, and they can't go any lower than it is now without losing money.
That being said, that was what my pawnshop did. Some pawnshop do charge excessive amounts, and the reason for that is really pretty simple. At least half of the people that come into pawnshops think that everything is a bargain, and thus don't really try that hard to negotiate down. In other words, if I am overcharging on a gun by, say, 80 dollars, and your not smart enough to know that, if I give you 20 or 30 bucks off, you leave thinking you got a great deal, and I am still richer by 50 or 60 bucks. If your savvy, there are plenty of good deals to be made in pawnshops. If the guy behind the counter won't deal, just move on, or wait until another guy will.
One other thing to consider is that the people that are behind the counter aren't infallible. I once overloaned a substantial amount on a model 70 because I read the book wrong and thought it was a better rifle than it was. That rifle is still sitting there (4 years later) because no one is going to pay the price they are asking, and they can't go any lower than it is now without losing money.
The Rifleman
member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2007
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P. T. Barnum said that there is a sucker born every minute.
http://www.historybuff.com/library/refbarnum.html
http://www.historybuff.com/library/refbarnum.html
B.D. Turner
Member
I bought an FNC at a pawn shop in Jacksonville NC for $350 out the door.
I was a pawn shop regular for a long time. I got to know the owners and made several good friends. I also saved a bunch of money. Not all pawn shops are the same and just like every other business there are the "Thats the price" folks who never lower a price. There are also the dealers who will knock off a little even if it's only tax it never hurts to ask.
I was a pawn shop regular for a long time. I got to know the owners and made several good friends. I also saved a bunch of money. Not all pawn shops are the same and just like every other business there are the "Thats the price" folks who never lower a price. There are also the dealers who will knock off a little even if it's only tax it never hurts to ask.
redneck2
Member
I bought a NIB Marlin bolt .22 mag with scope and sling for $90 OTD.
Bought an unfired Russian SKS for $120 OTD.
Unfired Remington Sendero 700 7mm RM, with Leupold QD mounts on a VX-III, Harris bi-pod & sling for $750.
Nobody's twisting your arm to buy the stuff. Gotta know what you're looking at and what it's worth.
Pawn shops typically don't get all that many guns. If every one was a screaming deal, their shelves would be empty.
Do you buy every car you look at?? Do you buy every gun at the local Wally World?? Why not?? They're cheap.
Bought an unfired Russian SKS for $120 OTD.
Unfired Remington Sendero 700 7mm RM, with Leupold QD mounts on a VX-III, Harris bi-pod & sling for $750.
Nobody's twisting your arm to buy the stuff. Gotta know what you're looking at and what it's worth.
Pawn shops typically don't get all that many guns. If every one was a screaming deal, their shelves would be empty.
Do you buy every car you look at?? Do you buy every gun at the local Wally World?? Why not?? They're cheap.
joab
Member
The major pawn shop chain down here lives by The Book
The price they give you is based on the 60% value listed in the book and the sell it for the 100% price
I was desperate once and tried to sell a Bisley Blackhawk to a shop and they were going to give me $75
They had one in the display that looks about half as good as my six rounds fired as new gone for sell at $300 at the time a brand new one costs about $325.
I would have sold mine for $150 but they wouldn't budge, and that was a fast seller down here.
I have gotten excellent deals from another shop that was owned by a shooter and collector. He priced his guns to move at prices that he would have paid if he were the shopper.
If you just to look around for the right shop
Baba Louie
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2002
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- 3,831
There's some pawn shop owners who sell guns, there's some FFL's who also do pawn for business, there's guys who know you, there's guys who you know and there's a sucker born every minute.
Know what you're looking at, what you're willing to pay, have cash in pocket, be ready to leave if you can't work up some kind of good relationship with the person who handles the actual FFL end of things. Never hurts to make new friends.
But, like I said, be ready to walk out with your cash in pocket if need be.
Know what you're looking at, what you're willing to pay, have cash in pocket, be ready to leave if you can't work up some kind of good relationship with the person who handles the actual FFL end of things. Never hurts to make new friends.
But, like I said, be ready to walk out with your cash in pocket if need be.
RobW
Member
My friend and I liked to browse the "Pawn-Shop" aside the indoor range we used to go. We did it every weekend when we were shooting.
They had a badly rusted Lyman press for $148.00. The same model you could get at MidwayUSA for $89.something. Offering them $50.00 they laughed and refused.
Then we laughed badly INSIDE the shop. That thing was sitting there for 3 (in words: three) years. And then the shop and the press was gone.
Well deserved.
They had a badly rusted Lyman press for $148.00. The same model you could get at MidwayUSA for $89.something. Offering them $50.00 they laughed and refused.
Then we laughed badly INSIDE the shop. That thing was sitting there for 3 (in words: three) years. And then the shop and the press was gone.
Well deserved.
RioShooter
Member
If this is true, why waste all the time and money on merchandising. Instead of a show room with shelving and glass display cases, just have a small store with two employees. One to wait on customers and the other to sell all the hocked stuff on ebay. Of course, they'd have to give-up firearms.
TimboKhan
Member
Well, it is true. Pawn shops make WAY more money off of loans than they do off of sales, and I suspect thats true not matter where you go. For instance: At the pawn shop that I worked at, we did a favor for a guy and loaned him 10 bucks on a craptacular pair of binos. They were there when I got there (and had been for some time) and they were there when I left. I forget the period of time they had been on loan, but we had made something like 100 bucks on interest alone! Rockstar.esq and I actually were just going to give him back his bino's at one point, but for some reason we didn't. Some pawnshops do only have a couple of employees. Some, like the one I worked at, were busy enough to merit having three clerks and a manager on duty at all times. Most pawnshops with any amount of ambition will sell stuff on ebay these days. In fact, the one that I worked at has a dedicated ebay guy who does nothing but pull stuff from the three stores and sell on ebay.
Look at it this way: I just had to pawn 2 guns off to pay off some parking tickets I had gotten. I took a loan of 300.00. The interest on that loan was 60 bucks. That shop made 60 bucks off of me for what amounts to nothing but storage. Sure, if they put those items up for sale, they might have made 100-150 bucks on each gun (if not more). It seems like a forfeit would have been a better deal for them, and in this particular case it sort of is, but in reality, the 60 bucks is way better because then they don't have merchandise that they have to make money off of. What they want is for me to either just pay the interest for a few months, or to pay the loan off slowly. That way, inside of just a few months, they make more money than the sale would have ever made them, without any hassle on their part at all.
XavierBreath
Member
Actually, quite a few pawn shops do business on Auction Arms and Gun Broker, as well as ebay for other goods. Sometimes though, it's just easier to sell stuff to people over the counter.
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Pawn shops are supported by their customers, who tend to be improvident and impulsive, in dire need of fifty bucks until payday because they blew their ready cash on some gimcrack they just had to have. Knowing this, a lot of pawnbrokers put merchandise out a high price in the hope that a sucker will walk in and blow his ready cash on some gimcrack he just has to have.
What some pawnbrokers don't know is that they themselves can be impulsive and can fall in love with their merchandise until they can't bear to part with it at any realistic price.
*
Pawn shops are supported by their customers, who tend to be improvident and impulsive, in dire need of fifty bucks until payday because they blew their ready cash on some gimcrack they just had to have. Knowing this, a lot of pawnbrokers put merchandise out a high price in the hope that a sucker will walk in and blow his ready cash on some gimcrack he just has to have.
What some pawnbrokers don't know is that they themselves can be impulsive and can fall in love with their merchandise until they can't bear to part with it at any realistic price.
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Titan6
member
What some pawnbrokers don't know is that they themselves can be impulsive and can fall in love with their merchandise until they can't bear to part with it at any realistic price.
That certainly is true I went to one shop where the lady had a 4" stainless Python for $1350. She told me it was practically new. I checked it out at about 60% and started asking about all the wear and carbon build up when she let slip that she shot it all the time and sometimes took it home at night. But it was still for sale
That certainly is true I went to one shop where the lady had a 4" stainless Python for $1350. She told me it was practically new. I checked it out at about 60% and started asking about all the wear and carbon build up when she let slip that she shot it all the time and sometimes took it home at night. But it was still for sale
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Heck, I sell 'em NIB everyday for $319.88
Green Lantern
Member
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2006
- Messages
- 1,665
Well....I sorta owe a debt of gratitude to a pawn shop. It was at one that I first handled an SKS with a rusty bolt, priced at $300.
NO, I didn't buy it...
But YES, after handling it I had to own one. I just found one via classicarms and a local FFL at a much more reasonable price!
NO, I didn't buy it...
But YES, after handling it I had to own one. I just found one via classicarms and a local FFL at a much more reasonable price!
Sniper X
Member
I wondered if anyone noticed this!
I was in the market for a 10-22 to trick out. I intended to change the barrel, and stock right away so didn't want to buy a new one the just have a stock and barrel in the closet. I looked for used ones at the local gun stores but no one had one so I started looking at pawn shops, thought it would be a great place to find a beater and strip the stock and barrel off and Christiansonize or at least Butler Creek it. I had checked new prices which ran anywhere from like 169.00 at the lowest to about 199 at the highest. NEW..... found 4 different pawn shops with 10-22 rifles that were all beat pretty bad. the lowest was $239.00 and the hihghest was 319.00!!!!! None were vintege just run of the mill 10-22s.
I was in the market for a 10-22 to trick out. I intended to change the barrel, and stock right away so didn't want to buy a new one the just have a stock and barrel in the closet. I looked for used ones at the local gun stores but no one had one so I started looking at pawn shops, thought it would be a great place to find a beater and strip the stock and barrel off and Christiansonize or at least Butler Creek it. I had checked new prices which ran anywhere from like 169.00 at the lowest to about 199 at the highest. NEW..... found 4 different pawn shops with 10-22 rifles that were all beat pretty bad. the lowest was $239.00 and the hihghest was 319.00!!!!! None were vintege just run of the mill 10-22s.
Dravur
Member
Well, let me tell ya
about the Pawn Shop in the town where I live... Lots of gun, loads of em. And most have enough dust on them to qualify as rare archealogical treasures.
Each gun in there apparently is worth a small fortune and is in mint condition.. a good example was the Beretta 75 that I saw in there for $225. Not a great price, but I like those little guns. Then I handled it... cracked grips, the slide release missing. Now these parts would not be easy to replace, but when this was pointed out, the price magically....stayed the same.
With all of the other guns in the place WAY overpriced for either their condition or their pedigree, I have only been in there a couple times. I usually walk out with a stunned look and a hearty chuckle at their Chutzpah.
That's better than what some guys walk out of there with.... If they bought anything, they are usually walking gingerly and have something latex hanging out.
about the Pawn Shop in the town where I live... Lots of gun, loads of em. And most have enough dust on them to qualify as rare archealogical treasures.
Each gun in there apparently is worth a small fortune and is in mint condition.. a good example was the Beretta 75 that I saw in there for $225. Not a great price, but I like those little guns. Then I handled it... cracked grips, the slide release missing. Now these parts would not be easy to replace, but when this was pointed out, the price magically....stayed the same.
With all of the other guns in the place WAY overpriced for either their condition or their pedigree, I have only been in there a couple times. I usually walk out with a stunned look and a hearty chuckle at their Chutzpah.
That's better than what some guys walk out of there with.... If they bought anything, they are usually walking gingerly and have something latex hanging out.
tomhorn
Member
I live in houston Tx I go to the bad part of town to pawn shops the other parts get to much shopping crowd ..
joab
Member
Just checked my old reciepts
From Park Ave pawn
Uberti Cattleman in 44/40 looked new not even a cylinder timing ring $171 qith tax
Unfired Rossi 92 rifle in 44/40 for same price
From the same shop
2 Norinco 1911s one for $225 and one for $325
Apparently unfired Uberti Remington 1858 and Colt 1862 BP $70 each and a Uberti 1858 revolver carbine for $125 traded them all at a gun shop for an as new Marlin Cowboy in .45 a week later
The list goes on
I have actually bought from this shop and taken it to a gun shop and either traded or sold for more money
Most of my guns come from this shop and the one across the street
The trick is to let both shops know this
From Park Ave pawn
Uberti Cattleman in 44/40 looked new not even a cylinder timing ring $171 qith tax
Unfired Rossi 92 rifle in 44/40 for same price
From the same shop
2 Norinco 1911s one for $225 and one for $325
Apparently unfired Uberti Remington 1858 and Colt 1862 BP $70 each and a Uberti 1858 revolver carbine for $125 traded them all at a gun shop for an as new Marlin Cowboy in .45 a week later
The list goes on
I have actually bought from this shop and taken it to a gun shop and either traded or sold for more money
Most of my guns come from this shop and the one across the street
The trick is to let both shops know this
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