What type of offer do you think I will get at the pawn shop for my saxophone?

I would like to loan the saxophone. I do not want to sell it.

Instead of selling the sax, have you considered going to a food pantry?

I have but I also need cold medicine and toiletries.

Food pantries have toiletries sometimes. Where do you live?

Thanks for the suggestion. A food pantry will be helpful but I’d still like to hear from someone with instrument or pawn shop experience. I’ve been to my local food pantry in the past and I know what they have on their shelves. They do not have everything that I need.

Look on eBay for some comparison prices. You will only get a fraction of the real value.

Have you decided on whether you wish to sell or hock your instrument? In either case, the type of offer you should expect is almost certainly best described as “disappointing”. Pawn shops operate on desperation. Don’t misunderstand me. There are honorable and ethical people in the business, but you will be much better off dealing with people who specialize in musical instruments. Take the time to research your ax on the net. Depending on where you are, a phone call to the local musicians’ union might prove well worth the effort. In any event, I hope you can get by on the money realized from hocking rather than selling your instrument. Good luck.

It looks like similar used saxophones on ebay run about $200–250. Do you think I might be able to get $100 for it? I also have a good hard case. I want to loan, not sell. I’ll be able to buy it back in 30–60 days.

A hundred bucks sounds reasonable. But I really don’t know. Pawn shops are nearly always “fountains of disappointment” when it comes to estimating what you will walk out with. An awful lot will depend on where you are.

Pawn shops will low-ball the value. The fact that it will be considered a student instrument, no matter what the quality, will bring the value down (in the pawnbroker’s eyes). I think you will be lucky to get $100 for it, even as a loan. When you are asked what you would like for it, tell them $150, but don’t expect them to jump at that. They will probably give you a low offer. Negotiate. If they ask what you need the money for, don’t act desperate. Don’t be afraid to walk out if the offer is too low.

It’s not just what it’s worth—it’s also related to whether (if you don’t come back to redeem it in 30 days) there’s a market for it. In other words, if you disappear will they be able to sell the sax for more than the amount they’re loaning you?

What’s the market for used 30 your old saxophones in your town?

There’s a pawn shop that just joined the collective. US Pawn Davie. You could try them.

No thanks. I was hoping an established member with experience could help me. Yetanotheruser gave me exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.

Okay, good. And welcome to fluther.