re: Do any of you shop at pawnshops?

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Most of the pawn shops I've been to sell pretty much everything at full retail price. It is really ridiculous that people even purchase things there when you can just buy them new.

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This.

Go at the end of the month, they will work with you as they try to make money and move product. Give them a price you're willing to pay, tax included. If they say no, then walk. They will usually budge and give you a solid deal if you do. It's just haggle/flea market rules if you know how to use them. This tip is from a friend who worked at one back in HS. I've used it before and it worked on buying a decent replacement phone.

For musical instruments, yes.

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Most of the pawn shops I've been to sell pretty much everything at full retail price.

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That's what they label them as. They'll negotiate.

I buy guns there. The crappier the place the better. The crappy ones slip up more often and price a Reminton 700 with Leupold Scope the same as a Remington 770 with a Tasco. Just for example.

I am co-owner of a pawnshop, here is how I work when I am at the store.

I loan 25-35% of new retail on guns and guitars,less on tools,because we get so many of them. I hope the pawner just continues paying interest forever,because that is the real profit.

If an item is lost and I have to sell it, I need to get rid of it fast, so I can loan that money again. However, I want to make up for that interest also.

In general, if I have a nice guitar that costs 400 bucks new, I want 300 bucks out of it,but I will negotiate. The more regular customers get my best deals. If I have never seen you before, you won't get my best price.

My partner though is harder to negotiate with, he wants every dollar he can squeeze out.