A quarter century ago, I was co-owner of a pawn shop. It turned out to be a poor investment, but that had to do with not having thought through the effects of a usury law interest ceiling. I went into the deal with someone who talked a better line than he could deliver.
Pawn shops are wonderful places for dedicated bargain- hunters. Yet most middle-class people have never stepped foot in one. So, prices tend to remain low. The buyers don't have much money.
You can buy almost anything in a pawn shop. Jewelry is especially available.
The owner is usually ready to negotiate. He paid pennies on the dollar for everything in the building. He wants to unload his inventory. The price tag is only a starting point.
Young marrieds who buy at the local Good Will store or the Salvation Army should not overlook pawn shops. Better to buy the mistakes of over-indebted ex-owners who paid retail than to adopt their spending habits.
There are several pawn shops near you. Spend a Saturday afternoon snooping around. Get a feel for the kinds of items they stock. You may find a bargain.
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