Different pawn shops carry different inventory. So there is no way to confirm that all pawn shops buy and sell high-end mountain bikes. But some of them certainly do. The reason? Unlike items such as electronics which can become outdated quickly, mountain bikes don’t go out of style every 12-18 months. Styles and colors may change from time to time, but features such as gears, don’t change every year. That means that you can often buy or sell a mountain bike at a pawnshop for a terrific price. Here’s what to know about buying or selling a mountain bike at a pawn shop.
Types of Mountain Bikes You Can Buy at a Pawn Shop
On any given day, you may find mountain bikes at a pawn shop that retails for thousands of dollars. Of course, you won’t pay the full price at a pawn shop. Instead, you’re likely to secure a name-brand bike for as much as 30-50% off of retail value. That can represent hundreds or thousands in savings on the most high-end mountain bikes available such as those made by:
- Canyon
- Specialized
- Trek
- Spot
- Santa Cruz
- Marin
- Norco
- Transition
- Juliana
- Giant
- Yeti Cycles
- Ibis Cycles
- Pivot Cycles
- Evil Bike Co.
- Cannondale
- Salsa Cycles
- Kona
- Niner
- Rocky Mountain
- Co-op Cycles
- YT Industries
- More
Types of high-end mountain bikes you can find in pawnshops may include cross-country, trail, fat bikes, endura, and downhill models. They may be available as rigid, full-suspension, or hardtail.
Believe it or not, brand new mountain bikes can retail for more than $10,000. However, you can get a very high-quality mountain bike for less than $1,000 and often less than $500 at pawnshops.
What to Know About Selling a High-End Mountain Bike to a Pawn Shop
If you are ready to get rid of a mountain bike you no longer need or want, consider taking it to a pawn shop first. Shops that have a customer base that loves sporting equipment may make you a fantastic offer immediately. However, you should know that you may not get an offer at all. If that’s the case, it’s not because your bike isn’t valuable. It’s more likely because the shop already has other mountain bikes for sale, or their customer base doesn’t necessarily ride mountain bikes. One of the benefits of selling a mountain bike to a pawn shop in a place like Southern California is the proximity to mountains, which will mean more bikers.
Before you take your bike in to sell, it’s smart to know what a comparable bike sells for brand new. A pawn shop generally offers a percentage of the value, so knowing the full retail price can help you know what to expect. You should also clean up the bike if it’s dirty or muddy from your last ride. A wet cloth or washing it down with a hose will help it show best at the shop. Likewise, always be sure that the tires are inflated. Be sure to point out any unique features, or valuable accessories (new pedals, upgraded seat) that you’ve added to the bike so that they can be calculated in your offer.
If you get an offer, feel free to counteroffer, and present your reasons why you should get a better offer for the bike. Most likely you’ll meet somewhere in the middle of your expectations, and the pawnbroker’s offer. Then you can decide if you’d like to accept, or if you’d rather try to sell it elsewhere.
Buying a High-End Mountain Bike at a Pawn Shop
Buying a mountain bike at a pawn shop makes so much sense. Many items that pawnshops purchase have barely been used, and mountain bikes are among them. A thorough examination of a bike you’re considering may indicate just how frequently it was used. You’ll want to look for
- Wear on the seat
- Tread on the tires
- Rust on spokes, chain, or frame
- Condition of handlebars
- Chips in frame paint
- Dents in frame
- Areas of the frame that feel softer than others
- Cracks or dents in the rims
- Wear on brake pads
You’ll also want to examine the gears, pedals, and type of tires the mountain bike has, so you’ll know if you must put any additional money into it after you leave the shop. In addition, you may want to ask the pawnshop if they have answers to questions such as:
- Have the shocks been rebuilt or serviced?
- Are the components original?
- Are the tires tubeless?
The pawnshop may not have all the answers to your questions, but it never hurts to ask. Finally, before you agree to buy a high-end mountain bike, be sure that it is the right size. The overall condition won’t even matter if the bike isn’t the right size for you.
Once you’ve decided that you’d like to buy a particular bike, it’s time to get the best price you can. You’ll fare better in negotiations if you notify the pawnbroker that you are paying in cash. Then, let them tell you what the list price is. If the price is fair and reasonable, and within your budget, there’s no need to haggle. However, if the bike price is more than you want to pay, or believe it is worth, counteroffer with your price. Don’t counter at half the price, as that’s sure to be rejected, but you’re certainly within your rights to ask for 20% off the list price.
Arguments for lowering the price can include pointing out wear and tear, debating the price compared to a brand-new bike, and/or asking for accessories to be included with the price.
Buy or Sell High-End Sporting Equipment in Azusa
Serving Azusa, Glendora, Baldwin Park, and surrounding areas in the San Gabriel Valley from our shop in downtown Azusa, Azusa Pawn is open seven days each week to best serve you. In addition to buying and selling high-end mountain bikes, we also buy and sell road bikes, electric bikes, BMX bikes, and children’s bikes.
Azusa Pawn is open from 8:30 am – 6:00 pm Monday-Sunday. We invite you to follow us on Facebook to see the latest items we acquire. You can also shop our inventory of high-end sporting goods and outdoor equipment in our online store.