Buying tools from pawnbrokers

**bpj1968** · 20th July 2006, 04:01 PM

I have told people to go the the pawnbrokers, when I worked in Melb's inner northern suburbs. I too went to pawnbrokers when after taking the reports for thefts and spotted the items listed. The difficulty for the police (I'm one) is that the victim cannot readily identify their own property without seeing it, ie don't know serial numbers, model numbers, or even brand names. Pawnbrokers have to confirm the ID of the seller, not the ownership of the goods.
I have looked at the dealers books and seen the same names selling "family jewellery" and the ridiculous price paid. Would you accept $50 for your dewalt saw? I wouldn't. I have known dealers who have hidden goods after the real owner has pointed them out.

It is a bit of a generalisation, but based on fact. Some are good, but many are questionable.

Although none (or mostly noe) would be stupid to openly buy stolen goods, they would have to question many of the trades.
Some even keep the police on side, they report the odd suspect dealing, such as someone trying to sell something that they know nothing about. This gives them a defence that they report all suspect trades. This would make it near impossible to have one convicted at court. There is even a special form we use to stop a dealer selling certain goods, and a lot of legislation relating to second hand dealers.

**Ashore** · 20th July 2006, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by Slow6

Ashore.. working in stkilda a few years ago it became downright boring visiting the variouse pawnbrokers week after week trying to reclaim the gear that had not more than hours ago lived in the back of my van.
I'm sure your FIL is a fine bloke with high morals.. but there is a good reason the industry has a bad name, especialy in inner subbs.

From what I can see the remarks made had nothing to do with your father in law but regarded pawnbrokers in general.. and I personaly wouldn't make a purchase from a melbourne broker for exactly the reasons mentioned... because of past experiences.

I think thats fair enough dont you?

More than fair enough thanks

Russell

**Slow6** · 20th July 2006, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by Ashore

More than fair enough thanks

Russell

thanks mate

**wormdrive** · 21st July 2006, 12:24 PM

If any of you can show me one case that you can prove of a Pawnbroker acting as a fence for stolen goods please do so , and I will be happy to go with you to the police and see them put out of buissness if you can't then don't make stupid remarks that you can't prove .:mad:[/quote]

Your completely deluded

A profession you called it????

**silentC** · 21st July 2006, 12:26 PM

You're kidding, right?

**Clinton1** · 21st July 2006, 02:25 PM

Russell,
I think that the game is a little different today, in some shops, compared to when your FIL was operating. Not in all cases, of course.
My great-grandmother (a widower) ran the bakery in a little country town in NSW through the depression, and had to run a 'tick-book'. As her customers didn't pay her until times improved, she was a regular visitor to the pawnshop... hocking possessions so she could pay her bakery's suppliers.

Until my granfather passed away, he would always speak glowingly of the local pawnbroker, who really was an important part of the community during that time. When the man who ran the pawnshop passed on, there was an enourmous turnout to the funeral - the older members of the town remembered their 'debt' and showed their gratitude. This gratitude included passing the hat to pay for the funeral, grave and headstone.

Times were much different then, people would not lock doors - and a dealer in stolen property would be forced to leave town. Your FIL sonds like a fine man, from a finer time.

Perhaps, now that everyone can be a second hand dealer through ePay, the industry migh clean up a bit?

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