swanksalot / Flickr
Pawnsearcher.com is a new site that helps you find discounted items for sale at pawn shops across the country. The site is fairly easy to use and best of all it’s free. You do have to create an account, however. Once the account is established, you can start searching for things like tools, electronics, and more.
In a previous post, Bargain Babe wrote about how to make money from spring cleaning by selling unwanted gold jewelry at pawn shops. If you’re looking for jewelry, you’ll want to check out this site.
Be advised that you won’t find
listings on this site like on eBay. Instead, you fill out a search inquiry with a detailed description of what you are after, and it is sent to more than 500 pawnshops nationwide. (You also have the option of sending your inquiry to only local pawnshops.) After a few days, you’ll receive emails directly from pawnshops with the item you are looking for along with pricing and/or photos. PawnSearcher.com recommends using Paypal or a credit card in case a dispute arises.
Pawnsearcher puts you in touch with pawn shops and does not profit from transactions. The site makes money by charging pawn shops a monthly fee to receive sale inquiries from potential customers.
CEO Jeff Epstein said the idea to start the site came after he accompanied his soon to pawn shops in search of a gun. After visiting a few, he thought there had to be a way to send inquiries to lots of pawnshops at one time. Epstein launched the site in June making it easy for treasure and bargain hunters to search for wanted items.
Have you ever shopped at a pawn shop?
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
I’ve always been intimidated by pawn shops. I’d love to hear some comments from people who have used them to purchase and sell items a lot. I DID once help my daughter sell a little gold ring at a pawn shop. She didn’t get much money for it, but it was a fairly simple exchange. We walked in, let the guy see the ring, he weighted it and told us what he would pay for it.
@Bobbi Why are you intimidated by pawn shops?
I bought some sterling silver and turquoise indian jewelry (frequently referred to as ‘pawn’) in a huge pawn shop in Arizona about 20 years ago. It was absurdly cheap and it got me to wondering if the items were “hot” and being sold quick for fast cash. I never did find out the answer.
I don’t trust pawn shops or pawn shop dealers. It’s profiteering from the misfortune of others. Most people pawn items to pay rent, doctor bills, etc. The dealer pays pennies on the dollar to the seller, who is in no position to bargain for more. It’s a sad situation.
BTW, pawn shops are not supposed to buy stolen goods. But most do and plead ignorance if/when they are caught.
KARMA.
I love to shop pawn shops. We have quite a few here in Dayton Ohio, and there are 2 of them that I trust. One of them is not far from me and I love going in and looking at their jewelry, especially the antique jewelry and it is worth the time and money!
When I went to Las Vegas last summer I had to go the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop – the one from the tv store Pawn Stars. As a tourist, I bought a t-shirt. I wasn’t going to fork over $20K for the green Jim Morrison artwork.
I agree with mimi It’s profiteering from the misfortune of others. Most people pawn items to pay rent, doctor bills, etc. The dealer pays pennies on the dollar to the seller, who is in no position to bargain for more. It’s a sad situation. Regardless of what you may think no pawn shop should be trusted. Thats what they do, make you think they are trustworthy but your just bait. I know its a business and has to make money but not on the backs of people that are in a desperate situation. But this is America, and thats what we do here, right. Pawnshops, financial companies, (banks, payday/title loans) insurance companies, used car companies, and a few others all have a special place burning in hell.