There are plenty of reasons to visit your local pawn shop rather than going to a big-name retail store for the items you want. One of the biggest reasons people prefer pawn shops is because of the lower prices, but there are also certain items that you can only find at pawn shops such as discontinued products or vintage collectibles. No matter the reason, it’s best to educate yourself on how to get the absolute best deals at a pawn shop in the Azusa, Baldwin Park, and La Puente area for an even better experience.
Tips For Getting the Best Deals
Next time you visit your local pawn shop, take a second to do the proper amount of prep work so you can have the upper hand. By spending just a few minutes at home to gather up the necessary information, you will have the tools to barter for the best possible price when purchasing literally anything your heart desires. It all begins with finding the best pawn shop near you.
Choose the Right Pawn Shop
How do you know when a pawn shop is worth your business? Reading other people’s experiences is a great way to judge a pawn shop’s reputation. How well do they handle customer concerns? Did these customers leave happy? How many positive reviews are there? It can be difficult to trust the legitimacy of a pawn shop if they have little to no online presence, so this is a great place to start.
Another way to test the legitimacy of a pawn shop is to look up their certifications. For example, a pawn shop that’s a member of the California Pawnbrokers Association is likely to be reliable since the organization holds all shops accountable for their actions.
Research the Item You Want Beforehand
If you’re looking for something in particular, look up the item to see if you can find a rough estimate of the value. By having any number at all to use as a base, you’ll have that much more negotiating power when the time comes. This will help you ensure that you get a fair price. If the pawn shop you’re going to visit has an online store, you can use the prices there to your advantage as well.
Finding exactly what you need can take some time, but a good pawn shop will automatically set their items out at an already reasonable price so they can move their product sooner than later. This way, they can keep a rotating inventory that frequently brings in new items for a greater chance at finding what you want.
Learn to Negotiate the Price
Even if you have never visited a pawn shop before and don’t know what you’re doing in the slightest, you can utilize online guides for negotiating at a pawn shop to familiarize yourself with the process. If you’re feeling a bit intimidated, you’ll be glad to know that negotiating is easier than it sounds. One tip that can help you with your bartering skills is to carefully examine the item before naming your price. If you notice even the slightest imperfections, you can use that as a valid reason to lower the price. Other useful tips include:
- Looking up the item’s worth beforehand
- Making a reasonable offer
- Bringing cash
- Knowing when to walk away
If you’re wondering how it’s helpful to bring cash to a pawn shop, it’s because pawnbrokers are more likely to be lenient if you have a hard limit on your budget. If it’s not possible for you to go higher than what you’re carrying, it’s probable for the broker to work with what you have. Cash is easier for brokers to work with anyway because they’ll be able to avoid the hassles that come with credit card transactions and the potential fees that follow.
The Best Items to Buy at a Pawn Shop
Many successful pawn shops are generalized, meaning that they’ll accept anything with a decent enough value. For shops like these, there are certain items that garner the most value for your dollar. If you’re looking for a good gift or are wanting something to treat yourself, any of these items will leave you feeling happy and satisfied from finding such a great bargain. According to Well Kept Wallet, these are a few of the things that go for the best value at pawn shops:
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Tools | When it comes down to it, all tools end up with similar results. Why pay full price for something that you can get at a much lower price which does pretty much the same thing? |
| Jewelry | Jewelry is one of the most popular items you’ll find at a pawn shop, and that’s why you’ll find the most unique and diverse selection that you won’t get at a retail store. |
| Electronics | Brand new electronics can be expensive and companies will use modern technology as an excuse to justify the price. You can find a much cheaper device at a pawn shop which will give you the same amount of use. |
| Small Appliances | A blender from a pawn shop will work the same as a blender fresh off the assembly line. Since reliable pawn shops carefully examine their products before putting it up for sale, this is a no-brainer. |
| Antiques | Pawn shops are the only place where you’ll find true antiques that are rare and unique. While antique shops exist, they tend to price their goods higher since they only specialize in that category and are desperate to make a profit. |
The Best Pawn Shop In Azusa
Now that you know how to find the best deals at a pawn shop, where should you start? Azusa Pawn is the most renowned pawn shop in the Azusa, Baldwin Park, and La Puente area for all of your needs. No matter what you’re looking for, our expert appraisers will gladly give you the fairest prices for any item so you can feel good about your purchase and actually want to come back for more. Call us at (626) 334-2274 to ask about our stock!