How to Negotiate a Successful Sale at a Pawn Shop

When selling items at a pawn shop, knowing how to negotiate a sale price is key to making you and your pawn broker satisfied with the transaction. First, know the difference between pawning and selling: when you pawn an item, you receive a loan that you pay back to receive your item back. When you sell an item to a pawn shop, you give the pawn broker all rights and ownership to your item without the intent of receiving it back.

The most commonly pawned or sold items at a pawn shop include electronics, jewelry, and tools, and you've got valuable stuff lying around ready to be converted into cash. Before you take your unwanted belongings to a pawn shop, use this guide to help build your confidence in haggling.

KNOW WHAT YOUR ITEMS ARE WORTH

You can locate the current value of your unwanted items by searching classifieds online, viewing what sellers are wanting for similar items. You can also visit a pawn shop to see what price ranges they offer their jewelry, tools, and other items at. Evaluating your haggling opponent by reviewing their inventory lets you know what type of price negotiations you are in for.

Remember this: pawn shop brokers haggle with experience and making a profit in mind. Knowing what your items may be worth simply gives you an idea of what to expect as far as negotiating prices so you don't feel intimidated by asking for what you feel you deserve for your unwanted belongings.

KNOW HISTORY OF YOUR ITEMS

Do you have an exceptionally rare or popular brand of jewelry to sell? Perhaps the painting you own is an original by a famous artist. Are you current on trends with the collectible toys you want to sell? You get the drift: know the history of the items you want to sell so you can negotiate a higher price for them due to your knowledge of their desirability.

A pawn broker respects a seller who understands they have a product of value and will be more likely to haggle fairly or outright offer a positive price for your items. The value of what an item is worth is greatly augmented by its popularity or rareness, so use current buying trends and historical value to make your belongings even more desirable in negotiating.

KNOW THE LOWEST YOU WILL TAKE

The lowest dollar amount for the item you wish to sell is not always the amount you will get, but you need to have an open mind for negotiating so you should decide on this number before you enter the pawn shop. Don't start out negotiations on your bottom dollar; rather, use this amount as your warning if haggling gets too low for your liking.

KNOW WHEN TO HAGGLE

Always let your pawn broker begin the negotiations. They will ask you what you want for your items, to which you should ask them what they would be willing to pay. If you are satisfied with their response, then accept it. If not, start with a slightly higher dollar amount (be prepared to explain why you should get more for your item as mentioned earlier), and negotiate down to your bottom dollar.

Odds are, you will meet somewhere in the middle with your pawn broker, striking a deal that satisfies you both. If not, then you can walk away from the negotiations and keep your item or sell it at a later date.

Selling at pawn shops is a practice that has been done for hundreds of years and is a great way to make instant cash on belongings you no longer want or use. The right negotiation practice (always be kind, patient, and respectful) can help you get the right price for belongings that are just gathering dust in your home.

Pawns shops are excellent venues to buy and sell merchandise. We have ever-evolving inventory, so see us at 2 J's Pawn & Gun for your shopping and selling needs. Our helpful staff will assist you in finding what you need or putting in your pocket.