How to Find a Steal at the Pawn Shop

Pawn shops are filled with great deals.   You’ll find solid brass statues for pennies on the dollar and even a good condition bass guitar for half the original price. 

But what about those stories of people finding antique china thrown in the “dumpster bin?”  Or what about the story of a man finding a coin worth 44,000, and buying it for pennies?

To be clear, you won’t find a true steal unless you get extremely lucky.  But you want get lucky unless you’ve done your research. 

The following post is to help you prepare for that extremely luck moment.  Good luck and happy dumpster diving.

First step in finding a steal is to do your research online.  UsedPrice.com and Macraebluebook.com  are top notch sources for finding the going rate for popular pawned items.  Find information on computers, musical instruments, audio equipment, video & TV, video games, copiers, cameras, and even guns.  Moreover, UsedPrice.com has its own vintage section, great for those selling high priced, hard-to-find items.   If you’re a regular pawner, buy a yearly subscription for 1,200 for all categories or up to 150 for select categories.  If you’re not a regular pawner, buy a single book for 4 dollars. 

Second step in finding a steal is to use Google Maps.  Most of the larger auction houses or pawn shops won’t make this mistake.  Check Google maps for user reviews of each shop in your area, and look for reviews that say “cheap deals.”  This will key you in on what type of pawn shop they are.  You’re most likely to find a steal in an inexpensive pawn shop, one that’s constantly buying low priced items and turning them around quickly.  They’re usually less through than the bigger priced stores.  Dive their dumpsters.

Third step in finding your steal is to bring a smart phone.  It takes a long time to cultivate the knowledge and experience that veteran dumpster divers have.  A smart phone gives you access terabits of research at your fingertips.  You can even check UsedPrice.com and Macraebluebook.com from your phone, allowing you to compare prices while at the pawn shop.  This may help you to identify a steal right before a seasoned dumpster diver picks it straight out of your hands.

Final step in finding your steal is to bring cash. Make no mistake, you can buy stuff at the pawn shop with credit.  In fact, some stores prefer it.  But if you want to walk away—and walk away quickly—with a steal, you’ll need cash.  Cash gives you more negotiation power.  And throwing a huge wade of cash over to the shop owner may prevent him from taking a second look at what he’s practically throwing away.  If you want that steal, cash is a must. 

Hope the following helps you on your dumpster diving adventures.  Remember to do you r research and always bring cash.  And if you’re in NYC, check out our New York pawn shops.  We have locations all throughout the Boroughs. 

Good luck.