Need information about pawnshops in NYC and Miami.

[[-Sentinel-]]

Hey guys.
So, I've always had a dream about going to NYC, and since I've graduated and have a job, now that is possible. And I'll be there from 23th May to 01 June.
In these few years as a game collector, I've been told about "pawnshops", that they are great places to gather rare games for cheap. Since I'm going to USA, I'm looking for some pawnshops recomendations in New York City.
Can anyone provide some information? Also, any suggestion on places I should visit?
Thanks for the time! :-)

[Aussie2B]

NYC is a pretty lousy place to look for pawn shops or thrift stores to be honest. You'd be better off looking for those in smaller cities. There isn't much of a used goods culture in NYC. People are either too snobby to shop anywhere but fancy retail stores, or the people who do need something cheap go to dollar stores, which are practically on every block. Garage/yard sales are also very rare (most wouldn't have the area to hold one anyway if they're living in apartments or rowhouses).

Anyway, recommendations would vary depending on where you're going. NYC is huge, and I doubt you're going to visit every borough. I guess you can look up what'll be near you with this: http://www.yellowpages.com/New-York-NY

[izarate]

I recall seeing a Salvation Army (or was it a Goodwill?) on the 46th four or five blocks away from the Intrepid.

[Greg2600]

Nothing is sold "cheap" in New York. I also very much doubt there's anything rare either. The suburbs is where people had money back in the day to buy the games in the first place. However, they're probably unreachable for you on your trip.

[NoahsMyBro]

Even disregarding the locale, are pawnshops that good of a deal for anybody anyway?

Sometime around '90 or '91 I worked for a pawnshop chain in Baton Rouge briefly. The chain totaled maybe 4 or 5 locations, and I worked in most of them.

It seemed to me though that the prices were rarely good (for the customer), and many times were even higher than what an informed customer might find on an identical, new product at an ordinary retail store or website. The few times I've visited other pawnshops I've noticed the same thing.

I think the idea that pawnshops offer discounted prices is a myth.

Am I wrong?

[Lerxstnj]

Pawnshop in NYC? Not so much.
Pornshop in NYC? Yes.

[Steve W]

Even disregarding the locale, are pawnshops that good of a deal for anybody anyway?

Sometime around '90 or '91 I worked for a pawnshop chain in Baton Rouge briefly. The chain totaled maybe 4 or 5 locations, and I worked in most of them.

It seemed to me though that the prices were rarely good (for the customer), and many times were even higher than what an informed customer might find on an identical, new product at an ordinary retail store or website. The few times I've visited other pawnshops I've noticed the same thing.

I think the idea that pawnshops offer discounted prices is a myth.

Am I wrong?

I've rarely found anything good in pawn shops. Usually overpriced common games and such, which is why I never check them out anymore. It seems like pawn shops around me don't accept any games and systems older than PS2/Xbox/GameCube era. Maybe the more run down junky shops will carry N64 games, but that's about it.