A good deal is a good deal - If you find it in a pawn shop and it has made to the shelf - it is already pretty much too late for the original owner to reclaim it - Most of the time if it's stolen the guy didn't actually pawn, but took whatever cash he could get for it with no intention of ever buying it back and they don't have to hold it for a certain amount of time like they do pawned items. Chances are about 50/50 any kind of tools you buy in a pawn shop were stolen. I knew a dude who was an ex Houston cop who went into the pawn biz and it's a real racket - and yes they will dicker on the stuff especially if you can show them you know what you can get for somewhere else.....all they want is your money

It's been 10+ years ago but I purchased 2 Calcutta 250's for $75 each from a pawn shop in Lewisville. Still using them today.

right before xmas I was looking for a flat screen for my step daughter and just happened to look over at the rods and saw a discontinued Curado 5.1 in brand new shape. Asked to look at it and it was paired w a Loomis GL2 cranking stick. asked him how much and it was 40! handed him the cast and then proceeded to tell him he could have at least got a bill out of it! never know what u'll find there! But usually its JUNK!

Good deal for you, unfortunate for the angler that lost his favorite rods and reels.

+1

If they sold it for $50 then my guess is they paid no more than $25, maybe less. Sad. That doesn't change the fact that economically it is a good buy for the buyer.

As far as stolen goes, I lost a brand new AK-47 for $100 to one about 10 years ago. I didn't check the pawn ticket and I came back one day late to pay for it. They told me too bad because they already sold it. I know that they had that right, but to me THEY stole it. So I would not worry about whether or not something is stolen since your dealing with crooks anyway. They try to sell it at new prices and when it won't sell, they dump it off on ebay. Pawn shops are pretty useless in today's world.

Curados at a pawn shop = stolen

Enjoy the stolen gear.

The reason they stay in business is because people convince themselves it MIGHT not be stolen.

I brake for pawn shops and garage sales.It's just like fishing--you never know what's out there until you check it out.

You legally purchased them, so Congrats on the score.

Jeez, everyone acts like I stole it myself. If someone came to me and claimed them then I would give them up but all I did was come across a good deal.

Thanks for the congrats guys. I would be absolutely livid if all of my gear was stolen, so I totally understand where everyone is coming from.

I always look for deals at pawn shops. You can find some good buys sometimes, just know what you are looking for on prices.

Not sure what pawn shop you go to. My local pawn shops try to rip me off selling stuff only about 20% below retail and it's used.