Went to four different Pawn Shops today thinking I could get a steal on some tools considering I'm starting a new tool collection. Boy was I wrong.

Kobalt 1/4" Socket Set Deep at Lowes $22.00 New
Kobalt 1/4" Socket Set Deep at Pawn Shop $29.00 Used

Same with everything else. They had a 3/8" Duralast Ratchet for 17.00, but their brand new for $15.99 at autozone?

WTF is going on in their minds?

Did you offer them $10. That is what I would do and see what they say. If they stick to their original price, they clearly are out of there mind. Most, or a lot of those small tools like that were stolen from someones garage or car and they probably gave the seller $5 for them.

I defiantly agree. Most of them probably are stolen. I didn't even make them a offer I was so pissed off to see used tools priced more then the same model brand new.

It is the pawn shop game. They are hoping some idiot will walk in and give them what they are asking. Always haggle at the pawn shop.

more like crack shop

I'm thinking about buying the ratchet at autozone, and taking it to the Pawn sho with the receipt, then show him his pricing. That is highway robbery.

the few times I've stopped in pawn shops, there is never any "bargains". Buy low, sell high.

It's a front for a drug operation? Or at least that's what I think about the one near me. They have complete junk and are asking wayyy too much for what they have, they are firm on the price too. Sucks cause you used to be able to go to the pawn shop and pick up some incredible deals.

pawnshops in my old town were awesome, they would haggle price, good quality stuff, and lots of items...

here in this city, they think they run a bestbuy

Yeah and we all know whats going to happen with best buy....going out of business sale lol

Yeah and we all know whats going to happen with best buy....going out of business sale lol

lol. Quite funny. I caught one of them Furniture going out of sell weekends last weekend! It was quite an experience. They had an auction on a huge warehouse, everything went. Towards the end people started leaving and getting tired, and they had $5,000. black leather sofas and couches going for $400. [lockdance] Needless to say we walked out with $11,000 in furniture for $1200.00!

^Can't beat them deals!

I love them places along with the salvation army for free rags and army serplus stores.

Goodwill also has some good things. Got a 450 dollar power wheel for 20 bucks, in mint condition.

I bought my Pioneer Premier ODR from a pawn shop. They had no idea what it was. I did and gladly paid $200 for it. Though it was incomplete and the parts that were missing are long out of production, I might get it to work eventually with little modification. And even if I don't, just having it is worth $200 to me. It's very limited and one of the best DSP's ever made for car audio.

I see somewhat decent deals at times. Most times it's just junk no one wants.
Watching Craigslist is more productive nowadays.

... or just wait a month or 2 when some fledgling tech student quits and wants to sell all their tools.

First to say there are bad pawn shops. Second off I am a pawnbroker and manage a shop. Not all stolen items come to a pawn shop, we work diligently with local law enforcement to make sure we don't support thieves. I have bought over 20000 items in the last 3 years and only 3 have turned out to be stolen. Pawn shops are highly regulated and if done right such as ourselves stolen items don't even come in the door because the thieves tell their friends not to come in when "those guys" WILL prosecute you. We take a copy of their Id, thumb print, and photo of item goes to the sheriff's department everyday.

Stolen stuff usually ends up on eBay, Craigslist, or at these new "buy,sell,trade" stores, all of which are not regulated!!

We keep abreast with current prices and would never have priced those items as such. Just wanted to let you know not all pawnbrokers are crooks or idiots![rant]