Pawn shops / chasing elusive deals

F

Freemon

Joined
Nov 6, 1999
Messages
177
Having spent many years and much time chasing 'deals' I've learned the best deals come along when you're looking for something else. I was rained out of an outdoor auction today and rather than just drive home I took a daylong detour and hit a big bunch of pawn shops instead. Haven't had a chance to do it for a lllong time but I've found pawn shops to be one of those places where things will sometimes surprise you. Anyone else out there tromp these trails. I've got some theories I've developed over the years which I'll elaborate on if there's any interest. I'd also like to hear any of your 'on the hunt' stories. I can tell you mine include all kinds...from most recent of a $4.95 schrade multitool in leather to over 10 years ago with a $20 Randall. Deals are where ya find em....and interesting dynamics at work to boot. How about it...anyone else out there haunt the pawn shops.

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Only perfect practice makes perfect
 
A fr\iend of mine paid 10 bucks for a nib chi-no-shi balisong that is now worth over 100

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I'm a Schizophrenic and so am I
 
Heck YAH, pawn-shops make for some GREAT buys!.
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Awhile back I bought a "NIB" Gerber BMF in a pawn shop for $60, including sales tax.
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Then a couple of weeks ago I found a MINT Cold Steel Peace Keeper for $20 including sales tax.
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Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
glockman99@hotmail.com
ICQ# 53675663
 
Glad to see others out there getting deals..Glockman..nother item I got today was a Scherer 31 rd. 'big stik' glock mag for $40. Usually the best hunting ground is near a large population base. If your fortunate to have access to a fairly large metro area that has a university / military base / so much the better. I have found my best deals on musical instruments in shops that specialized in firearms; my best deals on tools at shops that concentrated on jewlery and electronics; my best deal on firearm gear in shops that carried mostly musical instruments and/or jewlery; my best deal on knives in the 'mixed bag' shops that truly had a little of everything and a lot of nothing. A bit of a pattern here but the biggest pattern is not just from the above but also from type of store and personel. My fairly fresh Schrade multitool in leather today came out of a 'chain' pawn shop manned by two young 'hourly' workers. I chose to deal with the female...just in case someone might wanted to inspect my prize and maybe question the price...she had no interest in my item...just rang up the price on the preprinted sticker. Rule #1 Don't negotiate when the deal is priced stupid to start with...just buy it.
Btw it was right next to a big ugly Rostfrie fixed blade pos that was marked $21.95.
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[This message has been edited by Freemon (edited 08-13-2000).]
 
Speaking of pawnshop deals, I picked up a Pat Crawford body guard, fixed blade. found it under of pile of old kitchen knives in a shop. Price tag $9.95. sells in the crawford catalog for $250.00. Good Deal. I just love hunting for good deals, It's the excitement of the hunt. thanks Al
 
I love it when work takes me to towns with military bases, especially training bases.

Young soldiers with large paychecks = cool toys
Lack of experience paying bills = pawning those cool toys
Training bases = high volume of transient young soldiers with large paychecks

See the circle here.
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John
 
My two best pawnshop deals where a spyderco stainless copilot for $20, a Spyderco stainless police for $49.95. Both where mint with boxes.

I found the police model after a friend bought his for $120.

DaveH
 
I paid $26.00 at a pawn shop for a Boker 2000 rearlock in 440C in mint condition. Retails for >$100.00.

In a thrift store, I recently bought a J.A. Henckels 8" Carver/Slicer in excellent condition for $1.00.

Love those times when a treasure pops up unexpectedly like that!
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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.
Sun Tzu
 
misque,

I see that you too are a fan of Sun Tzu.

The book "The Art Of War" (translated by, and with a 45 page "introduction" by Samuel B. Griffith) is a timless masterpiece.
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. (I bought my hardback copy of this book "used" [but in "new" condition]at a local "used bookstore" for $6.00.).

...Now if I could only find some good "used" knife books...
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Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
glockman99@hotmail.com
ICQ# 53675663
 
If you see something you like, but the price is too high, negotiate. A pawn shop doesn't loan a lot on knives. They often price things much higher than they need. The same naive customers who come in to pawn things also come in to buy things. These customers just aren't good with money. There are a lot of sucker deals in pawn shops.
 
Ha....I just knew that this group was likely to have a bunch of pawn shop/thrift shop pickers. Probably the same bunch of scavengers that walk the range during cease fire and pick any unwanted brass. I know I have picked up just about enough 10mm brass to justify buying a g20 Gluck...anyway thats my excuse
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. Btw I'd categorize pawn shops into two main categories...the mom/pop shop with the sole proprietor running his/her own show with maybe a helper or two....and the NEW style or chain pawn shop...has a manager,,maybe asst. mgr., the rest of the help min. wage parttimers that usually know or care little. The first type of shop it was toughest to get the DEAL cause if it was an aware owner he usually took the time to know his goods and in order to get the deals it took time to develop him...get to know what made him tick and for him to get to know you a bit..that you were a buyer..but no schmuck that would pay stupid prices...
The second type shop...the chain store...usually manned by young folks not too astute in the ways of dealmaking make for easier deals IF they have been given the authority to negotiate the price. Again it was usually worth 'developing' the store personel in order to get the right deal when it presents itself. Of course nothing is hard 'n fast as far as these types of businesses go and it was from a mix bag store where I got a Randall#1 over 10 yrs back. Priced at $40 I put it with some other items I was collecting together and when it came time to add up the damages we arrived at a 'deal' price which is how I got it for $20. Not a fresh blade...but a decent example of a 'nam era with original sheath. Usually it is a good idea if new to a store to ask the person in charge if prices are negotiable soon after entering....if the answer is yes it sets the stage for making the prices 'right'. If the answer is no..it is usually a qualified no which still leaves a crack in the door to get the price negotiated down.
 
Don't overlook garage/tag sales either - I picked up a buck 110 for $5.00 - Rapalla fillet knives for 75cents - and W.R.CASE, Gerber, and Wusthoff-Tridentkitchen knives for anywhere from 10 cents to 50 cents!
the deal is where you find it !
 
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