There are more than a few pawn brokers and gun shops in Olathe, KS if you’re looking to sell an item. But no matter which one you visit, it can be an intimidating experience if you’ve never visited one before. What information should you have? How do you broach the subject of a sale? What’s considered good etiquette vs. bad?
You’ve got nothing to worry about! In fact, most pawn shops will walk you through the process of a sale when you visit them. That being said, it’s not a bad idea to have a little knowledge under your belt, so you can make sure you’re getting the very best value possible for your items—or the best deal if you intend to buy something! Here are six must-follow pieces of advice:
- Research first: Get to know what you’re selling. How much does it retail for new? What model is it? How much is it selling for used online? What condition is it in? Do a thorough evaluation of your item and get to know everything you can about it. A pawn shop will have general knowledge about most things; matching that knowledge will help you feel confident during the transaction.
- Clean your item up a little: If you walk into a pawn shop with a cracked iPhone, there’s a good chance you’ll be turned away or given minimum value for it. However, if you invest a small amount of your own money upfront to get that screen repaired, you can likely turn around and sell it to a pawn shop for a greater value. Apply this philosophy to every item you’re pawning.
- Know your minimums: When you present your item for inspection, the pawn broker is going to give you a bid on it. Knowing your minimum ahead of time will help you from accepting a lowball bid. In most cases, a broker will give you an honest assessment and price, but many pawn brokers are open to haggling. Setting a minimum and gauging their first offer against it will determine how much haggling (if any) you might be in for.
- Negotiate wisely: You have the item and it has value. If a pawn broker wants it, you’re going to have to come to an agreement. Take this approach when you start negotiating and understand that you have the power. If you feel like you’re not getting the value you want, you’re free to walk away. That being said, keep in mind that a pawn shop will have to resell your item, so you’re not likely going to get the max value for it.
- Don’t back down: Pawn brokers negotiate for a living, which means they’re comfortable with the back-and-forth of haggling. Don’t let this process overwhelm you, and don’t let yourself get caught off guard during the process. Keep your minimum in mind, stand firm and make your case for the value you want.
- Know when to walk away: If negotiations aren’t going anywhere and you’re getting uncomfortable, walk away. Remember, your item is still yours until you sell it, which means you dictate how the conversation ends!
Follow these tips the next time you visit a pawn shop or any of the gun shops in Olathe, KS and you’ll do just fine. Plus, you’ll feel a lot more confident about the whole experience.