Pawn shops?

Higgins909 · Dec 11, 2019

Just wondering about pawnshops and if anyone can fill me in a bit. I've been wanting to get a used revolver. Do they haggle when buying? I've had someone tell me no in another thread, but it wasn't the main topic. I've got 2 by me and they both close at 7pm, is there a reason for this? Maybe someone shops for used guns more than me. Are pawnshops filled with deals on guns or is it once in a blue moon? I'm looking for a medium/large sized revolver. I went to one pawnshop and they had a Dan Wesson, probably a 15-2 6", for $599 if I remember right. I know you can get a S&W 686-6 for about $700... I look at it like one is used and one is new... Doesn't seem like that good of a deal, when you think of it as just new vs used and they're "generally" similar. I'm thinking that Dan Wesson isn't really a good deal to begin with. But maybe the other pawnshop will have other revolvers. (Might go this Thursday)

Side chat: I went to academy to look at a 10/22 that is on sale... If I can't find a used revolver soon maybe I will get that instead. While walking around I noticed they had a S&W 686-6 on sale... for $700. I couldn't check out the trigger or anything, but it felt great and I liked the sights. I was fairly bothered that the staff was trying to spin and slam the cylinder though. Wonder how long that's been going on for it. I also wonder about some of the machining marks inside the bullet holes, near the extractor. It looked kinda rough.

Thanks,
Higgins909

Glenn B · Dec 11, 2019

Higgins909 said:
Do they haggle when buying?

You are asking if they haggle when buying or do you mean selling since you seem to be the one looking to buy? Either way, the way to find out if they will change the price is to make them an offer. They can say no, they can say yes, they can make a counteroffer. I don't think I'd ever offer to buy something from a pawn shop for their asking price unless it was an obvious steal on which they screwed up and listed too low a price.

ZX9RCAM · Dec 11, 2019

Can't go wrong with a 686....

busykngt · Dec 11, 2019

I’ve always found You Tube to be your friend. Search, “buying used revolvers” - usually you’ll find some helpful hints. Whether a Pawn Shop is willing to negotiate can be (& usually, is) a hit or miss proposition. Some will...some won’t. You might find the owner a little more “flexible” towards the end of a month (maybe). He’s got utility bills to pay, payroll to meet, maybe quarterly taxes to pay, etc., etc. I’m a fairly good negotiator; I rarely ever let emotions get involved. Most Pawn Shop owners are the same - they’re in it to turn a profit, so they tend to not get emotionally involved with a sell. (It’s all about the Benjamins baby!). I’ve only experienced one encounter where the guy thought I was “low balling” him and took offense. Even then, he just hardened his price position and wasn’t willing to be flexible on further negotiations. The old strategy of laying cash out on the counter can be effective too....plunk it down and tell him, “out the door”. He’ll understand the amount is meant to include everything (no sales tax to be added). Do your research / homework before hand (price vs. condition) and “know when to fold them”. Just my two cents, YMMV.

Dawico · Dec 12, 2019

I have found very few open to serious negotiations but I have also found a few very good deals.

I have been told no every time I have made a good offer which is usually just low enough to cover tax.

I see more guns listed at close to new prices than anything else though.

But each store is different and you may get lucky. All we can do is try.

Hoji · Dec 12, 2019

I have not gotten a good deal via negotiating a price at a pawn shop in years. The exception is when they have some used gun marked at MSRP and you can show them an advertisement for the same gun, locally, new at a lower price. They will usually lower it to the new price somewhere else.

At that point politely tell them to choke on a bag of dicks and leave.

GoPappy · Dec 12, 2019

I’ve never known a pawn shop that would not negotiate prices. Whether you can get them down to a FAIR price is a different question.

Most of them price their beat up guns with 1 mag (and no box or accessories) at the same price you can buy a brand new one for.

GoPappy · Dec 12, 2019

To get an idea of the profit margin on pawn shop items, go try yo sell something like a guitar, cordless drill, etc to a pawn shop. You’ll get pennies on the dollar. So, yes, they will negotiate.

Hoji · Dec 12, 2019

GoPappy said:
To get an idea of the profit margin on pawn shop items, go try yo sell something like a guitar, cordless drill, etc to a pawn shop. You’ll get pennies on the dollar. So, yes, they will negotiate.

You say that, but almost everyone who finds a gun at a pawnshop has a markedly different experience.

TreyG-20 · Dec 12, 2019

^Not me. I have made some really good scores at pawn shops. Just depends on the shop.

TheMailMan · Dec 12, 2019

In Portland there was a big pawn shop between work and home....not an ideal situation

I got to know the counter guys, I then started to get some screaming deals there. They would even call me when they had something they knew I'd be interested in.

One thing I can tell you is to research pawn shop codes. If you can figure out what they paid for it you're miles ahead.

Higgins909 · Dec 12, 2019

TreyG-20 said:
^Not me. I have made some really good scores at pawn shops. Just depends on the shop.

Did you have to negotiate for any of those? I just visited the last 2 around me, for 3 total. 1 Said they would take offers, but didn't have anything I wanted in my collection, at this time. (There was some kind of SIG 7.62 rifle semi auto for $400 tempted to go back and see what it actually was) The other 2 had 1 DA/SA revolver each. I took a better look at the Dan Wesson and noticed some bad marks where the cylinder, where the little slot is, didn't want something like that. The other had a S&W 686-6 for $699... I don't think it was new. So a used gun at MSRP...

Assuming it was used, how much could a 686-6 go for, used? Or really how much of a price difference can there be, with a new vs used S&W revolver, that's in good condition?

GoPappy · Dec 12, 2019

Hoji said:
You say that, but almost everyone who finds a gun at a pawnshop has a markedly different experience.

I’ve never found a pawn shop that just won’t negotiate at all.

Now, I have found plenty of them whose prices are so high that I didn’t even TRY to negotiate. It would have been too much brain damage to even try to get the price down to something reasonable.

But if they have something I’m interested in that’s not priced completely into outer space, I’ll at least ask them what their best price out-the-door would be. As they say in golf, “Never up, never in.”

TreyG-20 · Dec 12, 2019

Higgins909 said:
Did you have to negotiate for any of those? I just visited the last 2 around me, for 3 total. 1 Said they would take offers, but didn't have anything I wanted in my collection, at this time. (There was some kind of SIG 7.62 rifle semi auto for $400 tempted to go back and see what it actually was) The other 2 had 1 DA/SA revolver each. I took a better look at the Dan Wesson and noticed some bad marks where the cylinder, where the little slot is, didn't want something like that. The other had a S&W 686-6 for $699... I don't think it was new. So a used gun at MSRP...

Assuming it was used, how much could a 686-6 go for, used? Or really how much of a price difference can there be, with a new vs used S&W revolver, that's in good condition?

Sometimes I was able to negotiate and sometimes I payed what they were asking if I already felt it was a good deal.

As far as the 686 goes. I'm not sure of the current market value although I did own a no-dash 6 inch 686 a few years back. I believe I let it go for $600 and it was far from perfect condition.

A Sig chambered in 7.62 of either flavor for $400 would peak my interest.

skfullgun · Dec 12, 2019

I've encountered it both ways. I've been in pawn shops that had outrageous prices on guns, and guitars, and were unwilling to negotiate.

And, I've made some great deals at other shops on guns and tools. Most will entertain offers.

Recently, I got a Ruger Mark II, .22 for $150 (had some external pitting) and a like new Echo chain saw for $100 otd.
I've walked out of other pawn shops shaking my head and laughing due to high prices - wondering how they ever sell anything!

avvidclif · Dec 12, 2019

We have 2 local pawn shops. One is a chain operation and the other I guess local. All I know is the local costs me money at times.

SA_Steve · Dec 12, 2019

Costs a lot to keep a store open. But the ones I've visited have a ton of stuff, crazy high prices, and NO buyers. They must make their money on loan collateral they keep and ebay sales. Never seen so many completely worn out tools and 30 year old stereos.

zackmars · Dec 13, 2019

Quite a few near me. One is a chain, and never have more than a clapped out mossberg and a bolt action hunting rifle (not a nice one)

Next one is small, but rarely seems to have anything good, just old pump and bolt guns.

#3 has a few guns, mostly newer (but not NEW) guns still in production, and are asking MSRP, though they get something interesting once in a blue moon.

#4 has quite a selection, too much of a selection for the space of the store. Pretty much all new stuff. Probably be a pretty nice place if they took 100-150 guns out so you don't get sensory overload. I haven't been by there in a while though.

Most other shops just have a low end pistol or two, and a tapco'd bushmaster or DPMS that they want 2000$ for.

One place had a Hi-point C9 carbine with a price tag of 1500$.

Nope

Pawn shops?

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