I had to go up to Phoenix today and that meant different pawn shops to explore. I found a nice pair of binoculars and had a very unusual experience.
I went into the pawn shop and looked in the case at the binoculars. Most were the cheapest Chinese junk but I saw some interesting looking older porros on the back of the shelf.
I asked to see the binoculars and when the case was opened, I pulled out the most interesting looking pair. The pawn shop's sticker said "Hunter 8x30 $24.99". Sure enough on one of the top covers it had a picture of a pointing dog and said Hunter 8x30. When I looked at the cap on top of the hinge I saw Swift!
I took a look through them. The right view was nice and clear but the left didn't look to great. I looked through the front objectives and in the left side is I can't tell what, either dust or mold. But it was still only the second pair of Swifts that I've seen in a pawn shop or thrift store and in far better shape than the first pair I saw. I figured if the price was right I'd get them and maybe even send them off to get looked at.
I handed the binoculars to the girl and asked if they would take $20 for them. She said she would see what she could do and went to the computer. Here's where the unusual experience occurred. Most times, I make an offer and am told that it's new on the floor and they can't discount it or some reason why they can't go lower than the new price they have on their well used pair of Nikon Action binoculars, but today after looking on the computer the girl said, "How about fifteen plus tax?" It was the first time my offer was countered with a lower one! They must have been sitting on the shelf for quite some time. Of course I agreed and even asked if they had a case. She said they recently threw away a lot of cases but found something to put them in. I was hoping for the original Swift case but oh well.
Cosmetically they are in good shape and focus smoothly.
I'll take and post pictures tomorrow.
Chad
I went into the pawn shop and looked in the case at the binoculars. Most were the cheapest Chinese junk but I saw some interesting looking older porros on the back of the shelf.
I asked to see the binoculars and when the case was opened, I pulled out the most interesting looking pair. The pawn shop's sticker said "Hunter 8x30 $24.99". Sure enough on one of the top covers it had a picture of a pointing dog and said Hunter 8x30. When I looked at the cap on top of the hinge I saw Swift!
I took a look through them. The right view was nice and clear but the left didn't look to great. I looked through the front objectives and in the left side is I can't tell what, either dust or mold. But it was still only the second pair of Swifts that I've seen in a pawn shop or thrift store and in far better shape than the first pair I saw. I figured if the price was right I'd get them and maybe even send them off to get looked at.
I handed the binoculars to the girl and asked if they would take $20 for them. She said she would see what she could do and went to the computer. Here's where the unusual experience occurred. Most times, I make an offer and am told that it's new on the floor and they can't discount it or some reason why they can't go lower than the new price they have on their well used pair of Nikon Action binoculars, but today after looking on the computer the girl said, "How about fifteen plus tax?" It was the first time my offer was countered with a lower one! They must have been sitting on the shelf for quite some time. Of course I agreed and even asked if they had a case. She said they recently threw away a lot of cases but found something to put them in. I was hoping for the original Swift case but oh well.
Cosmetically they are in good shape and focus smoothly.
I'll take and post pictures tomorrow.
Chad