gunslinger_burrito wrote:I'm looking to put together some weird instruments.....
There's a BC Rich Platinum series Mockingbird at the pawn shop for $175. It's kind of beat-up, but if it does the trick I'd probably strip and refinish it. Plus it would be getting a different neck, etc.... SO is $175 a shit deal for a mockingbird body?
I know nothing about these guitars, but... you didn't say if $175 is the sticker price or a negotiated price. If you pay the sticker price for an item at a pawn shop, regardless of whether it was worth it, then it was a shit deal. Pawn shops expect to negotiate, and if you don't negotiate, you get ripped off.
I usually offer 50% of their price, and negotiate up to my max, which is usually around 75% of their price. I only pay cash, and I'm willing to walk. I have also stoped by the same pawn shop every few days, each time asking if they'll take the cash that is literally in my hand for the merchandise that is
still sitting on their shelf because their price is too high.
I would go in there with $100 - $125. Ask them for a better price-- I literally say, "Can I have a better price on this?" and that usually knocks 10% - 25% off right off the bat. Take their price, figure out how much higher it is than the price you have in mind, subtract that from your price, and offer that. Meet in the middle. If your price is $125 and the item has a $175 sticker and a $150 better price, offer $100, and meet near $125.
My pawn shop deals:
Peavey Delta Blues, mint, $350 sticker price, out the door for $200. (57% of asking price, and I didn't even counter offer their "better price")
Fender MIM Jazz bass, $350 sticker price, out the door for $175 (50% of asking price, took about a half dozen visits over a month)
Fender P Bass Jr, $250 sticker price, out the door for $177 (71% of asking price, which was already 35% lower than the instrument's value)
