Buying at a pawn shop

Everything for sale in a pawn shop came from someone in your area: either they sold it to the shop, or they pawned it and didn't come back for it. That means prices are often well below new, and stock changes all the time. It also means you're buying used, so the checking is up to you.

Know the price before you go

Look up what the same model sells for used before you shop. Online listings of sold items give a good sense of the going rate. Then you'll know a good price when you see one, and you'll have something reasonable to point to if you make an offer.

Test everything in the store

Staff at most pawn shops expect you to try things. Ask to plug it in, and take your time.

Electronics

• Power it on and use it for a few minutes. Check the screen for dead pixels, lines or burn-in.
• Try every port, button and camera. Check that speakers, microphones and Wi-Fi work.
• Look at battery health where the device shows it.
• Make sure phones, tablets, laptops and consoles have been reset and are not locked to the previous owner's account. A locked device may be unusable.
• For phones, ask whether it's unlocked for any carrier or tied to one.
• Ask for the charger, or make sure you can buy one.

Tools

• Run it. Listen for grinding, and smell for a burning motor.
• Check that batteries hold a charge and that the charger works. Batteries can cost a good part of what the tool does.
• Look at chucks, blades, cords and guards for damage.

Musical instruments

• Play it, or bring someone who can.
• On a guitar, sight down the neck, check the frets for wear and the tuners for slipping, and plug it in to test the pickups and controls.
• Turn up an amp at low and high volume and listen for crackles.
• Check whether a case is included.

Jewelry and watches

• Look for karat stamps on gold and ask the shop to test a piece in front of you if you're unsure. Our gold guide explains the stamps.
• For diamonds, ask for any certificate, and look at the stone under a loupe.
• For a watch, make sure it runs and keeps time, and ask about the box and papers and when it was last serviced.

Check serial numbers

Pawn shops record who brings in each item, and in many places police can check those records for stolen goods. Still, it's worth a minute of your own checking on electronics, tools and bikes. Find the serial number on the item and make sure it hasn't been scratched off or covered. Photograph it and keep it with your receipt. For phones, the shop can show you the IMEI number, which you can check with your carrier. A missing or damaged serial number is a reason to walk away.

Ask about returns and warranties

Return policies at pawn shops vary a lot. Some offer a short return or exchange window. Some give a limited warranty on electronics or sell an extended one. Others sell everything as-is. Ask before you pay:

• Can I return or exchange this? Within how many days?
• Is there a warranty, and what does it cover?
• Is it store credit or a refund?

Get the answer written on your receipt. A receipt that describes the item, with its serial number, also helps if you ever need to prove you bought it.

Layaway

Layaway lets you hold an item with a deposit and pay it off over time, then take it home once it's paid. It's handy for bigger purchases like a guitar, a ring or a tool set. In this directory, 2,225 of the 6,288 listed shops (35%) have a customer review or website that mentions layaway; each shop's listing shows the proof.

Before you start a layaway, ask how much the deposit is, how long you have to pay, whether there are fees, and what happens to your payments if you cancel or miss the deadline.

Negotiate politely

Prices at many pawn shops have some give, especially on items that have been on the shelf for a while. A few habits help:

• Be friendly. Staff remember regulars, and courtesy goes a long way.
• Make a reasonable offer. Base it on what the item sells for used. A lowball offer rarely works.
• Point to real issues. A missing charger, worn pads or a scratched case are fair reasons to ask for less.
• Ask about bundles. Buying a guitar with an amp, or a drill with extra batteries, can open room for a better total.
• Ask about payment. Some shops price differently for cash. Ask what forms of payment they accept.
• Be ready to walk away. There will be another one next week.

Where to look

Shop inventories differ. Some are known for tools, some for guitars, some for jewelry. In this directory, 3,191 shops have review or website proof for tools, 3,870 for electronics and 2,197 for musical instruments, and 1,213 mention jewelry repair. Each listing shows what its customers mention, so you can pick a shop that carries what you're after.

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