Dannj

Won’t that damage the lens?

(Sorry, couldn’t resist...my wife didn’t think it was funny either☹️)

jacklewis014

Jules, take your laptop to the Pawn Shop, shoot a few pictures and look at the images on the computer.
If they look good, go for it.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

A fixed lens designed for close up photography would not be my first choice for volleyball and basketball. A fast zoom lens would be ideal for that, an older but good condition 80-200 2.8 would be a much better choice for what you want to shoot. If your not getting the lens for close up work or portraits I would NOT buy it.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I agree with Bob, the price for a pawnshop is a little high compared to reputable dealers.

Eddy Vortex

Pawn shop owners are more picky than anyone else when it comes to buying lenses for resale.

radiojohn

The local Pawn America has a 2 week return policy

jwn Loc: SOUTHEAST GEORGIA USA

Why not? it was most likely stolen, so check the Serial number with mfg on the off chance it was reported.

David Lyon

I bought a 210mm lens for my large format from an eBay listing from a pawn shop. Saved over 1/2 on cost.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Go for it

Kuzano

I've been working in a pawn shop for some time now, listing items on eBay for them (not just camera's). They operate under the banking rules of each state and are well regulated. You don't just "open" a pawn shop and go at the world.

In Oregon, pawn shops send a list of every item that comes into the shop to the local police daily. They also get a listing of all stolen items reported to the police and check it thoroughly. They make pawn and loans, and do outright buys. They generally operate on a value of 1/3 of various items, and thoroughly inspect for operation and clean to the extent that they can. They generally respond well to cash offers, but I would say on this item, if value can be documented in the open market at the $800 value, they may be in the item $280+. Their intention is to make a profit.

I have purchased from Pawn shops and Thrift stores for years and done well.

It's intereeting to note that pawn and thrift stores are somewhat in a financial dilemma at this time because of the Millenials in the market. Millenials are not buying much used merchandise because living at home after college with parents footing the bills allows them to feel entitled enough to only ask parents to pay for new merchandise. The other growing concern is that Millenials are not saving money for retirement, and will have to rely on inheritances from parents to retire themselves, if the money lasts.

This is having an effect on the market for used merchandise. The two bigger pawn shops in our tri-county area are slashing prices to move merchandise. By all means, make offers.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Why would it most likely be stolen? Even Pawn Shops have rules they go by when doing business - just ask.

When I buy from a pawn shop, even if thru ebay, I always ask if the s/n has been run......in each case "we have checked with local law enforcement" and its listed as "clean", several have also stated they check with the Mfg. (Nikon, Canon, Sony etc). When I get the item, or before I buy, I also check that myself. I've never had an issue (I buy cameras and lens). Ebay and Craigslist do have the occasional item where "the tag on the bottom has been rubbed off or damaged" what many may not realize is that the serial number is also imbedded in the Exif data - another way folks look for stolen gear, by looking at and running searches on photo forums and sites and looking at s/n data.

Does anyone know - Do the major re-sellers (KEH, Roberts, Hunts, A,B & C) check out the serial number with law enforcement, or the Mfg. ?? I believe Pawn Shops in Florida are required to check these things...they have a lot to lose if the item is stolen (reputation, dollars, etc.).

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Wow you know that how? Do you believe only thrives steal and sell to pawn shops!

I have bought from pawn shops many many times over the years and never ever purchased anything that was stolen.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Be careful. I bought one from a camera flea market. Nothing but camera gear and the guy I bought from seemed to have a lot of the modern stuff in nice displays. I bought a Canon 16-35 f/2.8 and when I tried it on my camera it worked fine. In fact, it actually still works fine. But a year or so after I bought it, I took it to Canon to have it checked out and to have them do a good cleaning and they told me that it was broken and that they didn't have parts to fix it since it had just become obsolete recently because they had newer models available. I asked to speak to the Canon repair manager to explain it to me more. He actually took a few screws out and showed me that 2 of the screws were not original screws. I never noticed this. He said that it's been repaired by an unauthorized repair person and was obvious because the screws didn't match. Then he showed me a part near the bayonet end of the lens that was loose and told me that it was because the barrel has a crack in it. I could see what he was talking about. But when I carefully examined this stuff before I paid good money for it, I didn't notice any of it. This is why I'm saying to be careful. There are things you might not notice that an expert might. If you do buy it, I suggest you take it to an expert to have it checked out right away and make sure the pawn shop will take returns if the expert says there is something wrong with it.

jwn Loc: SOUTHEAST GEORGIA USA

The pawn network here in Georgia is only by County, so you can take the stolen merchandise 20 miles and be out of the network.

jwn Loc: SOUTHEAST GEORGIA USA

I did not say "only" thieves, your inference. But my gear was stolen and when I am out and about I stop in a Pawn shops.....guess what I found??? Thieves don't steal to use the gear but to sell, Craigs list , pawn, all reliable sources of $$$