Pawn Shops…tool gold mine or waste of time?

[slowpoke]

I haven’t been in a pawnshop since I was 17 looking for my stolen surfboard. But as I recall any damn thing that could be sold for more than a $1 was in there.

Are they a pretty good source for specialty tools (i.e. drillpresses, welders, compressors, sawzall, etc.)? I figure like most used things there will be junk to avoid. But mostly I’m just curious if on average, compared to new, you can find worthwhile tool bargains there?

I’m all for saving a buck. But if $10 less on a used $200 compressor is all I can get I’ll stick to new. Thanks.

Hmmm...now if I just could find a school disctrict getting rid of shop classes... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[46stude]

Watch the prices in pawn shops. Go in one knowing what the price of stuff is new. Lots of times there's not much difference. But don't be afraid to haggle- thats common in pawn shops. Ask to test everything (electrical or air).

Most stuff I have bought in a pawn shop has been in good working order. Just be aware that theres a good chance whatever you buy is stolen.....

[Elmo Rodge]

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Hmmm...now if I just could find a school disctrict getting rid of shop classes... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

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Yeah. Me too. BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH. Wayno

[slowpoke]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Hmmm...now if I just could find a school disctrict getting rid of shop classes... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah. Me too. BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH. Wayno

[/ QUOTE ]
When I was kid back in CC, TX my mom worked near one of the independent school districts warehouses. There was all kinds of big aluminum/steel tables, air-tanks, racks, and literally a mountain of school desks outside. God only knows what was collecting dust inside the warehouse. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[four-thirteen]

waste of time for most things. don't even bother with the power tools. a drill that costs 200 dollars new might cost 150 in a pawn shop, it might be stolen, and you can bet it's beat all to hell and wore out. craftsman and snap on tools, might be worth it, but they know as well as you do about the lifetime warrantly, so you can bet they want top dollar for them.

buy good quality new tools. don't mess around with that garbage. you wont save money by going to those places, you'll just end up paying too much, for crap tools. David

[desertratrodder]

With the evolution of eBay, alot of the pawn shops sell their good stuff there. I know a Snap-on tool dealer that sells at swapmeets nationwide. His business has been killed. He used to buy at pawn shops exclusively, but now he finds nothing there.
Mind you, I said he goes nationwide. And the rest of the stuff is beat to shit.
I needed some cash, so I pawned some tools, an air nailer, and a new generator. I bailed them out, and the next time I went to use either, they were missing parts.
So check that shit out good if you buy there.
To answer your question...they are a waste of time..

[slowpoke]

That's what I kind of figured. My problem is my dad taught me to buy quality and take damn good care of my possesions but my mom was always a bargin hunter. Think I'll stick to the new stuff and watch for bargins on the HAMB. Thanks.

[JOECOOL]

I have purchased several things from Pawn shops. You do need to know exactly what your buying.I roam around them in the winter mostly. I don't argue I just give them my price and move on if they say no. I occasionally leave a card with my phone and my price and sometimes get a call later. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

[Unkl Ian]

I've found a few,old, small hand tools.
Name brand steering wheel puller for $2.
Got an old,tired,Mechanics top box for $20.
Small ballpien hammers,oddball pliers,etc.
I don't touch it if it doesn't have a brand name.


The good stuff gets picked over very quickly.

[cougardan]

Slowpoke:
Check the yellow pages for a place called ReTool. I've posted this before and sound like an ad, but short of auctions, it's the best place to get used tools. We have one in Lubbock if you are on a roady this way.

Dan

[Rocky]

I usta use my lunch break to comb pawnshops in search of snap-on tools. I'd find an end wrench from time to time but the last 15 years, I've found no snap-on ANYTHING. I quit looking about 15 years ago...
I vote for waste of time.

[cougardan]

http://www.re-tool.com/location.html

Here's the locations. Looks like Lubbock or Tulsa. You won't need a pistol here.
Dan

[Slick mo fo]

Like said, don't waist a bunch of time. But it wouldn't hurt to take a look, same with swapmeets.
A friend of mine bought a tool box with tools in it.
The pawn shop wanted $30, he jumped at it. Thing was full of tools, even a clicking torque wrench. Everything looked good to me. I don't think the guy knew it was full.

It's one of those "at the right place at the right time".
I myself love new tools, especialy when they all match.

[Kojack]

I've shopped at a lot of ones in Nevada, and for the most part it's all junk. They've got a lot of tools, but usually for the prices you can get new ones CHEAPER. There was a 2 gallon, 2 hours compressor in the last one I checked before heading home last week from Virgina City, and this guy wanted 149 bucks for it. The son of a bitch is new at Wal-Mart for 100! Might get a deal if you haggle with 'em, but I'd hit a yard sale instead.

[Satinblack]

LOL, I bought a guitar in a pawn shop several years ago for $200, got $4000 for the guitar after cleaning it up!

[34Fordtk]

Around here they are becoming known as Crack shops.... but you can find good deals if you are ther everyday. A friend of mine has bought a LOT of nice Dewalt stuff cheap.

[Chili Phil]

I buy basses and amps from the local pawnbrokers. Just like junkyards and garage sales, you gotta kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince. There is some good shit, just takes some effort. Besides, the pawnshop dudes are usually rude to everybody that comes in. If you are the one with the cash, you can be rude right back.

[h2012]

You have to know what your looking for and how much whatever your looking for cost new before going. I don't go to the chain pawn shops because they know what the item that you are looking for cost new also and try to charge you new prices. I go to the privately owned shops because most of them will let you haggle them down more than what the chain stores are allowed. It's true that a lot of them have junk and are a little shadey but there are a few that has treasures out there. Use your judgement. I have bought Snap-on and Craftsman tools that were like new for a third of what you would pay if it were new from shops in my area. The same goes for cordless and power tools. Always check anything that you may purchase before paying. There are no refunds in most cases. Get to know the shop owners and let them know what your looking for, some of them will give you better deal than most other shoppers.

[hell_fish_65]

The best shops are in the crappest parts of town. Go in with your junk yard clothes on. Do not appear to have money. East Austin had some good ones, so did Rundberg area. Some of the bigger stores wont deal as well, but sometimes will right before closing.

[NoMoneySonny]

It seems like we've had a couple of new pawn shop open around here and one's in an old HarleyDavidson Dealership so they've got a bunch of junk in the back that they aren't sure what it is. If it's not video games, stereo equipment or common tools then you can usually talk them down. The last place I checked had a plastic welder for $80 and a whole shitload of snap-on stuff for pretty cheap (cheap for snap-on anyway).

[LUX BLUE]

it's completly seasonal around here...the colder it gets (which isn't very cold) the more tools show up in the p.shops...I guess some of the younger guys stock up on stuff then when winter rolls around and the bay door are open, they decide mabey being a tech isn't wine and roses after all:D

sissies!

[Unkl Ian]

Real hit and miss to find anything good quality at a good price.

But sometimes you get lucky,and forget all the times you came up empty.

[Flathead Youngin']

here, locally, i've only found junk.....

i stopped in one day after work and found a Metabo 4 1/2" angle grinder for $20...looked like new. I thought I had found a secret source for good quality, cheaply priced tools. Well, i stopped in about once a week for about a month.....i've never found anything else worth taking home....at least not for what they were asking...

i've always found flea-markets and swap meets to be the best......not the guys that are MAC dealers or just strictly tool dealers (they want top dollar) but guys that are just cleaning out their garage....

my vote.....mainly a waste of time......unless you want carpet stretchers, ladder jacks, roofing tools, chinese claw hammers, etc.....

[Slate]

I rarely go. when I go, I sometimes buy used Craftsman tools and then take them straight to the closest sears and turn them in for new tools. Have to watch though, as said here before. O/T: My mom know her gems/jewelry well and has bought some jewelry from some pawn shops for a fraction of it's real value - sometimes they don't know what they have.