16 Things to Buy From a Pawn Shop at Amazing Prices!

Have you ever shopped at a pawn shop? Believe it or not, you can save big money when you buy many things from a pawn shop.

The world of the pawn shop has changed. It isn’t a shady little store you should be embarrassed to go into. Think of it as a favored bargain store where you can get great deals.

Here’s a list of items that will help save you cash when you buy from a pawn shop.

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What to Buy From a Pawn Shop

Depending on the store, pawn shops sell just about anything these days. But what should you buy from a pawn shop?

1. Tools

Tools for home improvement projects, woodworking, and other projects are expensive. Check out your local pawn shop before buying new. The prices they offer are typically quite a bit lower than what you’ll pay new.

Some ideas for tools you might find at a pawn shop include:

Power drills
Tool sets
Basic tools such as wrenches, hammers, and screwdrivers
Hand and power saws
Table saws and other larger tools

Note: Looking for a great side hustle? Companies like TaskRabbit will pay you to do handy work for people needing minor home improvements or repairs.

2. Musical Instruments

If you’ve ever looked at purchasing a musical instrument, you know how expensive it can be. Is spending several hundred dollars – or even thousands of dollars – on an instrument your kid might only end up using occasionally?

Instead, take advantage of other parents who’ve made that mistake and buy your musical instruments from the local pawn shop. Guitars, violins, drums, drum sets, flutes – pawn shops that sell musical instruments have it all.

Here’s an example of how much money you can save by buying a musical instrument at an area pawn shop. Several years ago, I bought my kids an $800 keyboard for piano lessons. It was a higher-end model with 88 weighted keys, etc.

I saw that exact model at a pawn shop for $100. Before you buy a new one, check your local pawn shop for that musical instrument and see how much money you can save.

3. Jewelry

Pawn shops often specialize in jewelry. Why? Because people love jewelry, and they love getting deals on it even more.

You can find just about any kind of jewelry items at a pawn shop:

Diamond engagement and wedding rings
Gold or precious stone rings
Gold and silver necklaces and chains
Gold and higher-end/name-brand watches
Earrings with diamonds and other precious stones
Gold and diamond bracelets
Antique jewelry

Choose your jewelry piece; you’re likely to find it at a pawn shop somewhere. Note that some pawn shops only have jewelry sections, while others only sell jewelry.

Check out both types of pawn shops and do some comparison shopping before you buy. When buying precious gems, ask for a certificate of authenticity, too. Better safe than sorry!

4. Firearms

Firearms are another hot item you can buy from a pawn shop. If you’re a hunter, you can find various rifles and shotguns at area pawn shops. Also, if you want something for home protection, pawn shops also often carry handguns.

Note that when buying firearms from a pawn shop, you’ll likely have to agree with the shop’s terms and conditions. You’ll probably need to show ID and submit to a background check too.

Reputable pawn shops work to ensure firearms get sold to law-abiding citizens with good intentions. In many states, pawn shops have to have a license to sell guns legally.

If a shop is selling guns illegally, you’d be wise to refuse to buy a firearm from that shop. As with any firearm purchase, be sure to practice safe gun handling and transportation rules as you make your purchase.

Also, the firearm must be inspected thoroughly and the store’s return policy must be known. Many shops won’t offer a return policy on a gun.

5. DVDs

Are you a movie buff? Well, you won’t find a better deal on movies than you’ll get at your local pawn shop. From action to drama to comedy, pawn shops typically have large movie selections.

It’s common to find DVDs for sale at your local pawn shop for $1 and $2 each. That’s less than half the cost in the bargain DVD bin at most big box stores.

One word of caution when buying DVDs from a pawn shop: Check the discs for scratches. Inspect them thoroughly in proper lighting to ensure they are in good shape.

Also, be sure the name on the DVD matches the name on the case. When examining the discs, distracted shoppers might accidentally put the wrong movie in the wrong case.

As with many other items, DVDs purchased at pawn shops are often not refunded. Therefore, you’ll want to do your due diligence and check their quality before you buy them.

6. Bicycles

For some reason, bicycles seem to be a big pawn shop find. Note that you’ll likely only find bikes at pawn shops during the cycling season. So, if you live in Minnesota, you may not be able to buy a bike at a pawn shop in November.

Some shops might break this practice for the gift-giving season, though, so it doesn’t hurt to check. Bike purchases at pawn shops can be especially lucrative if you’re looking for a higher-end bike brand.

Be sure to examine the bicycle thoroughly. Take a ride around outside if they’ll let you, and check the gears, brakes, tires, etc. However, in most cases, tires are easily replaceable on bicycles.

If you are looking for a bike as a gift, a pawn shop might be a great place to find one in like-new condition for a fraction of the new cost.

7. Cell phones and other personal electronic items

Personal electronics are popular items for sale at pawn shops, too.

Check out local shops for items such as:

Cell phones
Tablets
iPads
Personal computers

When buying these items from pawn shops, be sure you’re working with a reputable shop. Ask what their policy is for guarantees on personal electronics. If you can, try the item out at the store.

Quiz the owner or employee on their practice when buying electronic items like phones. Do they test them? Clean them? Repair them before they put them on the shelf for sale?

8. Gaming systems

Gaming systems are commonly found at pawn shops because they’re one of the first things people get rid of when they need cash. You can typically get decent savings when buying gaming systems at a pawn shop.

However, don’t expect a stellar deal. You won’t get half off retail unless the system is in rough shape. Instead, look for systems in great shape and save 10%, 20%, or more.

Note: It’s okay – and expected – for you to haggle when buying from a pawn shop. Typically, shops will price a bit higher than they need to make a profit.

9. Video games

Pawn shops sell gaming systems – and the video games that go with them. You can get discounted video games at a pawn shop and still have the same fun with a new game.

However, it’s important to check the disc for scratches when buying used video games. A few scratches typically won’t affect quality as long as they’re not too deep. But if a game disc has a lot of scratches or deep scratches, you may want to pass it by.

Another option is to check on the shop’s return policy. Also, see if they’ll allow you to try out the game right in the store. Some pawn shops will let you try video games (and gaming systems) before you buy them.

When buying gaming consoles and other electronic items from pawn shops, warranties and return policies are of the utmost importance. If a shop doesn’t stand behind what it sells, you may want to look elsewhere, such as a GameStop store.

Gamestop stores have a “pre-owned guaranteed to work policy” and a seven-day money-back guarantee.

10. Comic books

I wouldn’t suggest selling your comic books to a pawn shop simply because most shops don’t have employees who specialize in comics and know what they’re worth.

To get a top-dollar price when you sell your comic books, you probably want to go to a comic store or specialty shop.

However, you might be able to find some good deals when looking to buy comic books at a pawn shop. Not all pawn shops will take comic books for the reason mentioned above. But if you find one that does, you might get a good deal.

11. Antiques

While antique shops can often be overpriced, pawn shops aren’t necessarily interested in getting the highest dollar on antique items.

Pawn shops don’t typically specialize in antiques; they just want to make a buck. Besides, many pawn shop employees don’t know the value of antique items. For that reason, antique items might be priced lower than what they’re worth or what you could resell them for.

So when you’re selling your antiques to a pawn shop, you may not get top dollar. But you might be able to find a stellar deal when buying antiques from a pawn shop. As an aside, thrift stores can be another great place to score a good deal on antique items.

12. Collectible coins and currency

You might find a good deal on collectible coins and currency at a Pawn shop near you. Not all pawn shops carry collectible coins and currency, but many do.

It’s important to know your prices when buying collectibles of any kind at a pawn shop. Many online sources and books can tell you the actual value of your collectible coin or other item.

Be prepared with a research catalog or website address when you shop to help ensure you don’t overpay when buying collectible coins at a pawn shop.

13. Small appliances

Small appliances like blenders and toasters can be a great find at a pawn shop.

14. Crystal and china

Did you miss out on putting crystal and china on your wedding registry? Or maybe you’re not married, but you’d like a nice set of crystalware and fine china anyway.

It wouldn’t hurt to check out your local pawn shop. When people sell stuff at a pawn shop to get cash, they sell items that have value. China and crystal tend to hold value if they’re kept in good shape.

However, pawn shops won’t pay a seller what their china or crystal is worth; they’ll always lowball. And since they’ve paid so much less than the value of the glassware, you have a good chance of getting a deal when you buy.

Check online sources for the real value of crystal and chinaware before you buy. That way, you’ll know that you paid a reasonable price. Sites such as Go Antiques may give you an idea of a fair price on a china or crystal item.

15. Gift cards

Some pawn shops will sell gift cards to various restaurants and stores. They buy the gift cards from consumers at a deep discount, then resell them to people like you for a profit.

You won’t likely get a huge discount on gift cards at pawn shops. However, you may be able to score a 10% discount or so when buying gift cards at pawn shops. And when you’re trying to save money, it all adds up.

Note: When buying gift cards at a pawn shop, check with the owner to be sure they’ve verified the card’s authenticity. And get a receipt for your purchase. That way, if anything goes wrong, you’ll have proof you bought the card at the shop.

16. Stereo Systems and Music

Another popular purchase people get at pawn shops is music-related items. You can get stereo systems, boom boxes, CDs, and more.

It’s common to find CDs by your favorite artists for $1 or $2 at a pawn shop. However, as with DVDs, check the CD to ensure it’s void of any major scratches.

When buying stereos and other music-related electronics, ask to try before you buy. This will help ensure you’re getting quality items. Ask about guarantees and warranties, too.

Many shops will offer seven-day warranties and similar programs on electronics they sell. Oh, and you might also find vinyl record albums at your local pawn shop. You can’t beat the musical sound of a classic vinyl album.

Some Items to Avoid Buying at Pawn Shops

There are a few things you should not buy at a pawn shop.

Televisions

Televisions are touchy electronics. All sorts of things can go wrong with smart TVs, in particular, and not all pawn shop owners are experts at repairing them.

Unless the television comes with a warranty, I suggest staying away from buying used televisions at pawn shops. But if you can find a shop that offers a solid guarantee policy, you might be okay.

Cameras

Cameras can be another “iffy” item at pawn shops. There are so many intricate parts involved with cameras, and fixing them isn’t as easy as repairing a cell phone or other item.

You can find videos everywhere on how to reset and clean up a cell phone. But cameras – in my humble opinion – require specialists.

Vacuum Cleaners

There’s one simple reason you may want to avoid buying a used vacuum—at a pawn shop or anywhere else: You have no idea what it’s been used to clean up.

Vacuum cleaners hold smells pretty tightly. And that’s all I’ve got to say about that.

Summary

You can find great deals on many different items at pawn shops. However, you can get skunked if you’re not careful.

When shopping at pawn shops, learn which ones in your area have a reputation for being trustworthy. People talk, and online reviews can speak volumes. Stay away from shops with a bad reputation and use reputable pawn shops to get great deals.

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