Bigpoppa
Forum Supporter
That sounds more like all the Thrift shops, Goodwills and Salvation Army stores near me ..
PawnShop Low Ball
- Thread starter Porsche914
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That sounds more like all the Thrift shops, Goodwills and Salvation Army stores near me ..
MrJeep
Elite Member
Bigpoppa
Forum Supporter
Onaug
Elite Member
I popped into a pawnshop yesterday looking for camera lenses. I decided to see what kind of quote they would give me on my 14k bracelet that weighs 10.2 grams. After testing, weighing and running calculations she said "I'll give you $120.00"
I can be a real smartass sometimes but I played nice with her and just said "I guess you would"
The funny part was she seemed suprised when I asked for it back.
There must be a lot of people out there with no clue as to the value of gold.
Worth $326 melt and offered $120.
That was about 10.00 more than the avg pawn shop quote. They were generous for a pawn lol. One told me forthright that he will offer 1/3 of current value.
Silversmith45
Elite Member
pawn shops are in business to make loans to people who have no other way to get it or need it in a hurry. Often to get someone out of jail. My boss tells everyone that a pawn shop is the worst place to sell something but still a lot of them do. They can't offer what something is worth and they can't resale it at a new price. They have a lot of overhead. Here they even pay about a hundred dollars a month for water run-off on the parking lot whether it rains or not. Things like that add up. His options are set by the owner and I have seen him take money out of his own pocket to help people in need. it's not only the pawn shops that are crooked. A lot of people pawn things that won't work longer than it takes to show it. Our dumpster always has things that money has been loaned on that is worthless. People swear it works fine and it might for ten or fifteen minutes. All pawn shops are different. They have more regulations than banks. I have made some good buys at pawn shops that i couldn't find anywhere else. I have even missed some great metal detector buys because I didn't have the money at the time.
If you don't know what you are buying, do some research first. Most shops have a 30 day guarantee on what they sell. There is more than one shop out there. If you don't like their prices or offers, go somewhere else. New jewelry has a ten times mark up so don't expect to get what you paid for something at a jewelry store. They can get it wholesale too.
If you don't know what you are buying, do some research first. Most shops have a 30 day guarantee on what they sell. There is more than one shop out there. If you don't like their prices or offers, go somewhere else. New jewelry has a ten times mark up so don't expect to get what you paid for something at a jewelry store. They can get it wholesale too.
Iron Patch
Elite Member
My gut says it's all about being a tv show until the paperwork comes,and that's when the deal ends. These people don't really look like the down on their luck desperate type (or shady) who would generally take so much below appraisal, so I don't believe it is really happening. That being said, it is true the ability to have cash in your hand and walk out the door does mean something, and even the experts aren't right all of the time.
beepinggeorge
Full Member
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2011
- Messages
- 138
Fact of the matter is that humans are no exception to the rule of "survival of the fittest".
Darwin didn't say Survival of the Strongest
or the Smartest,
but intended it to mean the most able to adapt.
We either learn how to interact in our enviornment...including buying and selling...or we will perish.
It's not greed to blame, it's not stupidity to blame...it's a lack of adaptation.
Darwin didn't say Survival of the Strongest
or the Smartest,
but intended it to mean the most able to adapt.
We either learn how to interact in our enviornment...including buying and selling...or we will perish.
It's not greed to blame, it's not stupidity to blame...it's a lack of adaptation.
jwebs
Elite Member
Fact of the matter is that humans are no exception to the rule of "survival of the fittest".
Darwin didn't say Survival of the Strongest
or the Smartest,
but intended it to mean the most able to adapt.
We either learn how to interact in our enviornment...including buying and selling...or we will perish.
It's not greed to blame, it's not stupidity to blame...it's a lack of adaptation.
A gazelle doesn't have to be concerned with whether or not it has paranoid delusions, or if it will be ostracized due to the presence thereof...however, with people, even the most sheepish of men may have hellfire and brimstone hiding behind a soft and welcoming countenance.
Marchas45
Senior Member
I went into my Jewelry store yesterday to get some dip which they didn't have so I check out their coin display and noticed a bunch of AE's and ask him how much where they. Hell I nearly fell on the floor $54.00 was his reply, I said your joking right? Nope was the answer. Then I saw a 1/10 $5.00 gold coin and ask about that, $$275.00 was the reply. He said these will grade well and I said but their bullion and I can get the Eagles for $3.00 over spot online and ebay for about $42.00, he just shrugged his shoulders, so I left amazed. O! before I left I asked what was he paying for an 1oz of silver? $17.00 was the reply
and left.
and left.
I went into my Jewelry store yesterday to get some dip which they didn't have so I check out their coin display and noticed a bunch of AE's and ask him how much where they. Hell I nearly fell on the floor $54.00 was his reply, I said your joking right? Nope was the answer. Then I saw a 1/10 $5.00 gold coin and ask about that, $$275.00 was the reply. He said these will grade well and I said but their bullion and I can get the Eagles for $3.00 over spot online and ebay for about $42.00, he just shrugged his shoulders, so I left amazed. O! before I left I asked what was he paying for an 1oz of silver? $17.00 was the reply
That is typical for any jewelry store...they got lots of stock and lots of overhead...they cannot pay anyone near the goin price for any precious metal! They are gonna send the stuff they buy into the refiner, just like you would! They will offer just enough for you, if not well educated as to what the spot value is, to get you to think about selling it to them! This is economics 101, you don't buy something and not make a profit that covers your time, overhead, taxes and other business expenses...otherwise you are just doin it for fun....and no jewelry store is in the business just for the fun of it!
Chipk
Elite Member
My wife wanted to sell her mother's flatware. I took it to 13 places advertising they buy. From low to high bids was over $1000. Lowest bid was $300 and highest was $1725. The key was to get every bid in writing on a business card and using those to get the best deals.
Personally I love to SHOP at pawnshops. I have gotten some great deals and negotiated some great pricing.
We had a pawn shop that ran a one day sale where your AGE was your DISCOUNT. My son found a guitar he wanted and it was $400 which said was a very good price. I wouldn't let him buy it. Instead I got my 85 year old father to buy it for him!!!! They tried to put a 65% limit on the discount but I wouldn't let them change the promotion. So he got the guitar for $60.
They never ran that offer again!!!!
Personally I love to SHOP at pawnshops. I have gotten some great deals and negotiated some great pricing.
We had a pawn shop that ran a one day sale where your AGE was your DISCOUNT. My son found a guitar he wanted and it was $400 which said was a very good price. I wouldn't let him buy it. Instead I got my 85 year old father to buy it for him!!!! They tried to put a 65% limit on the discount but I wouldn't let them change the promotion. So he got the guitar for $60.
They never ran that offer again!!!!
1981Eagle
Full Member
The question of, "What is it worth?" is much different than "How much will you give me for it?"
And neither have a fixed answer.
I used to collect WWII military collectables. I'd set up tables at gun shows sometimes and when someone asked 'what's this worth?" I'd tell them that would sort of depend on who they asked. To a collector who is looking for that particular item, it will be worth more to them to a dealer looking to sell it to a collector and make a small profit.
Same is true for 'how much will you give me for it?' Some will pay more than others - depends on many factors ... not just what some list or chart says it is worth. If I am strapped for cash, and I don't want it for myself, and I don't want to 'sit on it' while I am waiting for the right buyer to come along and give me a price that makes me some money .... my offer will be much lower than if I am flush with cash and I know several people that I might move it to - assuming I don't want it myself.
I once knew of a exceedingly rare double decal WWII paratrooper helmet sold for $4500.00 ... the next gun show a woman brought a Luftwaffe single decal helmet (like Sgt. Schultz on Hogans Heros) .... they are (or were at the time) much more common, and much lower priced .... so when I offered her about 300.00 .... she said she was thinking more like 3000.00 .... I asked where she got that number and shed said she educated herself .... I told her that helmet was totally different. She thought I was trying to rip her off and then stormed off.
Education is only as effective as what you study !!!
And neither have a fixed answer.
I used to collect WWII military collectables. I'd set up tables at gun shows sometimes and when someone asked 'what's this worth?" I'd tell them that would sort of depend on who they asked. To a collector who is looking for that particular item, it will be worth more to them to a dealer looking to sell it to a collector and make a small profit.
Same is true for 'how much will you give me for it?' Some will pay more than others - depends on many factors ... not just what some list or chart says it is worth. If I am strapped for cash, and I don't want it for myself, and I don't want to 'sit on it' while I am waiting for the right buyer to come along and give me a price that makes me some money .... my offer will be much lower than if I am flush with cash and I know several people that I might move it to - assuming I don't want it myself.
I once knew of a exceedingly rare double decal WWII paratrooper helmet sold for $4500.00 ... the next gun show a woman brought a Luftwaffe single decal helmet (like Sgt. Schultz on Hogans Heros) .... they are (or were at the time) much more common, and much lower priced .... so when I offered her about 300.00 .... she said she was thinking more like 3000.00 .... I asked where she got that number and shed said she educated herself .... I told her that helmet was totally different. She thought I was trying to rip her off and then stormed off.
Education is only as effective as what you study !!!
Jsparks
Senior Member
My wife wanted to sell her mother's flatware. I took it to 13 places advertising they buy. From low to high bids was over $1000. Lowest bid was $300 and highest was $1725. The key was to get every bid in writing on a business card and using those to get the best deals.
Personally I love to SHOP at pawnshops. I have gotten some great deals and negotiated some great pricing.
We had a pawn shop that ran a one day sale where your AGE was your DISCOUNT. My son found a guitar he wanted and it was $400 which said was a very good price. I wouldn't let him buy it. Instead I got my 85 year old father to buy it for him!!!! They tried to put a 65% limit on the discount but I wouldn't let them change the promotion. So he got the guitar for $60.
They never ran that offer again!!!!
Ahhhhh SWEET. I'm sure all the pawnshops aren't completely scummy. I'll be nice. Just most I've walked into
Pawn Stars is pretty fair to people, judging from what is shown on the show. My favorite example is the woman with a large spider brooch (platinum) with precious stones. Her asking price was $2000, but Rick told her it was a Faberge item (she didn't know) and offered her $15,000. She then counteroffered $17,000 (!!!) Rick could have just kept his mouth shut and paid her the $2000. Of course, what would have happened if the cameras weren't there? He held firm and paid her the $15,000.
If more folks educated themselves, all CRHers would be out of business, because all those grandpa collections would be on sale on ebay or shipped in to ARA, rather than dumped in a coinstar or other coin machine! Just KT's opinion.
GabbityGabby
Elite Member
"Everything is worth what its purchaser will pay for it." - Publius Syrus
Ice Scratcher
Elite Member
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2012
- Messages
- 18,347
I used to work in a pawn shop and I see another side to all this...
The one I worked for anyway..
We took in and helped return a lot of stolen jewelry, because everything that comes into pawn shops around here must be reported to local police... Some of the jewelry was old family heirlooms.. Without pawn shops, most of this jewelry would be fenced on the street and lost forever... Also, these actions led to the conviction of many thieves as well, because an ID is required to sell, and or pawn anything to the shop... Now the thieve would not bring it in, usually they would use one of their friends or relatives, but it still created a very positive lead for the police to follow...
There was always this scenario too...
Customer- How much will you give me for this?
Shop Owner- $90
Customer- But its worth $160!
Shop Owner- Your right, it is worth $160, if I give you what its worth how am I supposed to sell it and make money? I cant sell it for more than its worth. I am going to sell it for slightly less than its worth.. Folks come in here looking for deals, if I were to try to sell everything for what its worth, my inventory would pile up. SO... Yes, its worth $160, I'm offering you $90, and I'll sell it for $145... I also encourage you to get other offers, you can always come back...
The owner had many repeat customers and he cared for most of them and also helped many of them... If you were a good repeat customer and needed some help, he would loan you what its worth sometimes even more, although he would get burned every once in a while...
Many of these people are just simply bad at managing money, and when bills were due they would pawn the same ring many times over..
Without the pawn shops, many stolen heirlooms would be lost forever. Also a lot of people really want their stuff back and just need some money in the mean time... Without a pawn shop they would just sell their stuff and eventually have nothing worth anything...
If pawn shops are crooks, so is every bank! Only the banks are operating at a much higher rate...
Just my opinions here....
<*)))>{
The one I worked for anyway..
We took in and helped return a lot of stolen jewelry, because everything that comes into pawn shops around here must be reported to local police... Some of the jewelry was old family heirlooms.. Without pawn shops, most of this jewelry would be fenced on the street and lost forever... Also, these actions led to the conviction of many thieves as well, because an ID is required to sell, and or pawn anything to the shop... Now the thieve would not bring it in, usually they would use one of their friends or relatives, but it still created a very positive lead for the police to follow...
There was always this scenario too...
Customer- How much will you give me for this?
Shop Owner- $90
Customer- But its worth $160!
Shop Owner- Your right, it is worth $160, if I give you what its worth how am I supposed to sell it and make money? I cant sell it for more than its worth. I am going to sell it for slightly less than its worth.. Folks come in here looking for deals, if I were to try to sell everything for what its worth, my inventory would pile up. SO... Yes, its worth $160, I'm offering you $90, and I'll sell it for $145... I also encourage you to get other offers, you can always come back...
The owner had many repeat customers and he cared for most of them and also helped many of them... If you were a good repeat customer and needed some help, he would loan you what its worth sometimes even more, although he would get burned every once in a while...
Many of these people are just simply bad at managing money, and when bills were due they would pawn the same ring many times over..
Without the pawn shops, many stolen heirlooms would be lost forever. Also a lot of people really want their stuff back and just need some money in the mean time... Without a pawn shop they would just sell their stuff and eventually have nothing worth anything...
If pawn shops are crooks, so is every bank! Only the banks are operating at a much higher rate...
Just my opinions here....
<*)))>{
mightythree
Senior Member
Hdnsouth
Forum Supporter
Think of how many people that have watched an episode of pawn stars and ran down to their local pawn shop thinking they'd get top dollar for something and not knowing the actual value and ended up practically gaving it away.
Since I also worked at a pawn shop for years, before it got raided because the owner was trading guns for drugs, different story.
The owner would size everyone up and give them the lowest offer he could get away with. IF they accepted it, it sure wasn't the owners fault.
Also depended on his mood and how much money he wanted to spend that day.
It is his choice on how to run his business. You don't have to like his price or accept it, that is YOUR choice.
When I first started detecting gold was around 300.00 an oz. If I wasn't finding 4 - 6 gold rings every time I went out I was disappointed. I sold a lot back then. No matter what it was free money except for my time.
Now it is 1200.00. 20 years from now it might be 5 grand. Who knows. The point is keep or sell is absolutely your choice. Don't look back and say what if I would have kept. You never know. You found it free. Glad it wasn't a wheat cent or a quarter and it was something you could make a lot of money on.
I have NO idea where you got your 326.00 melt value.
http://dendritics.com/metal-calc/?Metal=Au&WeightU=10.2&Units=g&P=0.583&Purity=0.583
You are looking at 229.21 melt at the most WITHOUT any fees.
LOL ok ANOTHER thread dug up from the GRAVE. 2012 to be exact.
WHY WHY WHY?????
The owner would size everyone up and give them the lowest offer he could get away with. IF they accepted it, it sure wasn't the owners fault.
Also depended on his mood and how much money he wanted to spend that day.
It is his choice on how to run his business. You don't have to like his price or accept it, that is YOUR choice.
When I first started detecting gold was around 300.00 an oz. If I wasn't finding 4 - 6 gold rings every time I went out I was disappointed. I sold a lot back then. No matter what it was free money except for my time.
Now it is 1200.00. 20 years from now it might be 5 grand. Who knows. The point is keep or sell is absolutely your choice. Don't look back and say what if I would have kept. You never know. You found it free. Glad it wasn't a wheat cent or a quarter and it was something you could make a lot of money on.
I have NO idea where you got your 326.00 melt value.
http://dendritics.com/metal-calc/?Metal=Au&WeightU=10.2&Units=g&P=0.583&Purity=0.583
You are looking at 229.21 melt at the most WITHOUT any fees.
LOL ok ANOTHER thread dug up from the GRAVE. 2012 to be exact.
WHY WHY WHY?????
