Down here at the pawn shop

[Undertoad]

We don't like white people at the shop. It's one thing we all agree on.

95% of the customers are black. When white people come in...

A third are coming in via the methadone clinic down the block. These are troubled people, and may shake or be unable to speak correctly.

A third are ghetto people. White people who have somehow wound up living in the ghetto. These are troubled people, and may shake or be unable to speak correctly.

A third are suburban people who have Googled us to find a pawn shop, and want to sell us their expensive items because they like the idea of a pawn shop.

Last week a trio of serious white professionals, jackets and ties, came to the store with a bag of Taylor-Made golf clubs. An excellent brand. They wanted $1500. We offered $300. They left annoyed.

Now, I report to you this cultural phenomenon. At the pawn shop, you can get fifty cents on the dollar for many gift cards. White suburban young people have figured this out, and they come to the shop with their Home Depot cards that they got for Christmas. So gramma, understand that if you are giving junior $100 in Home Depot to outfit his apartment, he is just selling it at the pawn shop for $50 for weed or whatever.

Yesterday a guy comes in with his $100 Home Depot card and knows it's $50 at the pawn shop. But before he closes the deal, he says haltingly, "I know this is weird but can I get 50 dollars and 50 cents for it?"

Unpredictable last-minute dickering of the lowest quality. He is denied.

[sexobon]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

... Yesterday a guy comes in with his $100 Home Depot card and knows it's $50 at the pawn shop. But before he closes the deal, he says haltingly, "I know this is weird but can I get 50 dollars and 50 cents for it?"

Unpredictable last-minute dickering of the lowest quality. He is denied.

Next time you might say "Only if you'll take the entire amount of $50.50 in pennies." I'd give him the 4 bits out of my own pocket just to see the look on his face.