My pawn shops are dropping tools!

[bonneyman]

Visited another of my "regular" pawn shops today - I guess they are no longer a regular stop. They have gotten rid of their bin tools. 

I understand - the bins take up alot of shelf space and don't bring in big bucks. Then again I bought alot of DVD's, a tool box or two, and am looking at a MTB bike. Since I'm already there buying tools, might as well check out some other stuff, right? And since I'm a regular, they all know me and might give me a deal on a bike or something. Dang this is a bummer. Not that I need any more tools  but just the joy of digging in the hopes I might find some treasure. Tons of power tools and computers but no more individual hand tools.

This makes the 5th or 6th pawn shop to discontinue bin tools or close entirely in the last year or so. I'm glad I got while the getting was good!

[Lookin4_67GalaxieConv]

Half the fun of getting collector tools is the pursuit! 

[highland512]

I have noticed with the proliferation of the harbor freight junk, the pawn shops have less and less tools. The crap at hf is so cheep to begin with there is no meat left on the bone for used tool sales and the bins are loaded down with pounds of sh!t. I hardly dig through the bins anymore, its just not worth my time. I use to find all kinds of cool old plomb, sk, and mac. now its just of pittsburg, huskey, and no name.

[J.A.F.E.]

Only been in a few pawn shops around here. Most don't have tools and if they do it's just a sparse selection of beat to death power tools they want almost new money for.

[pep]

Maybe, pawn dealers are getting tired of the cops coming in and taken out the stolen property.

Another idea, is a market that is slowly becoming saturated, and the value declines. Then there are the show flakes that call uber to change a flat  on their cars...

Pep

[DeadNutz]

Since my friend moved his pawn shop to Idaho it has been slim pickings for me. There is one shop that has plenty of tools but I can't stand the people there.

[goodfellow]

.......Maybe, pawn dealers are getting tired of the cops coming in and taken out the stolen property.

That was what I was told by a local LEO -- too many stolen tools were showing up in pawn shops and the owners are getting swamped in paperwork because of it.

[bonneyman]

I can understand that. Sad though - I really got alot out of the search. Sitting on the floor, digging thru bins of stuff, never knowing what you might find was so enjoyable.

[lauver]

bman,

I feel your pain.  I have about 5 or 6 pawns in my area, but the hand tools (especially vintage, but also premium) have really dried up.  And, if that wasn't bad enough, tools have really become scarce at the local flea market.

What's a poor boy to do?

[bmwrd0]

This is probably why my tool spending has gone through the roof. Not that I was ever a big pawnie fan, but I used to be able to take a 10 spot to the little flea market, root around in the sellers crap and find some goodies. Not any more. No fleas around her, except the big auto shows. And they know what each thing is worth!

Oh well, it just forces me to be a bit of a reseller... (at least that is what I tell my wife)

[slip knot]

I seldom find a deal at the local pawns, I finally just quit going. Why do I want to pay more for a used snappy ratchet than what the truck wants for a new one?