We all like to save ourselves a bit of cash and buying things second hand from a pawnbrokers is a great way of getting quality items at knock-down prices. The stars of Pawn Stars – the staff at Gold & Silver Pawn Shop – know how to spot a good deal when they see one, but what are the items you should be looking out for at your local pawn shop?
Console Games
With new titles coming out so regularly these days there's really no need to be paying full price for expensive games. So long as you have the patience to wait for the first wave of players to tire of that big new title (or even for the next game in the series to come out) you can pick up games for a fraction of their original cost and still get just as many hours of entertainment out of them.
Tools
Planning a bit of DIY and remodelling? Need a hammer-drill? An air compressor? An extending ladder? How many times are you going to use these tools? Second hand tools from a pawnbrokers will cost much less than they will new at your local DIY or hardware shop. They may not last a lifetime of daily use but for that project you're planning pre-owned tools are the sensible and affordable option.
Sports Equipment
Want to try your hand at skiing, kayaking, weight training, golf, or even just tennis? Instead of spending a fortune on expensive equipment which – let's face it – might end up going to waste if your new hobby/healthy lifestyle doesn't quite go according to plan, you should definitely check out what's on offer at the pawn shop.
Musical Instruments
Whether it's a trumpet for your child's school music lessons you're after, or a Gibson Explorer to relive your teenage dream of being James Hetfield, the pawnbrokers has long been the best place to shop for second hand musical instruments. Many, many famous musicians got their first instrument from the local pawn or junk shop, and many continue to scour the stores for hidden treasure.
Gold and Jewellery
When it comes to buying gold and jewellery the pawnbrokers should always be your first port of call. You can pick up items at your local store for as much as fifty percent less than you'd pay on the high-street for the exact same thing. If you're looking for an engagement ring, or wedding ring, the chances of finding something jaw-droppingly stunning that you can actually afford are vastly increased by visiting a pawn shop rather than a jewellers.
Remember, many pawnbrokers have their own websites now where you can browse their stock online at your leisure, or at the very least shoot them an email and ask whether they have what you’re looking for in store. If the worst comes to the worst and the proposal doesn't quite go according to plan, or it turns out you're not much of a water-skier after all, you can always rely on you're local pawnbroker to give you decent price for your unwanted items.
