Lansing pawn shop sees rise in business

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Lansing — Part retail store, part museum, Dicker & Deal Second Hand hosts an eclectic collection of merchandise ranging from used electronics, to gold jewelry and tools, to bicycles and firearms. Some of the most unusual items in the store are those on display and not for sale. This includes a variety of curios and antiques including war relics, unique taxidermy, old arrowheads and a vintage FBI identification division kit.

“That’s almost everyone’s favorite stuff, the stuff that’s not for sale,” said Johanna Martinez, a Lansing resident and an employee of Dicker & Deal, 1701 S. Cedar St., in Lansing.

Delain Swain, a 33-year veteran employee of Dicker & Deal, said although many of the display items are not for sale, they do serve the practical purpose of making the store an exciting place to visit. Swain said while some of the collectibles are sold directly to the store, others are obtained from estate sales and auctions.

“We’ll get them any way we can,” Swain said.

Economic conditions have affected business at Dicker & Deal since the store also buys items outright from patrons, or pawns items for a loan.

Amy Reyes, an employee for seven years, didn’t give specifics but said the store has seen an increase in the number of items customers are looking to sell with a somewhat corresponding decrease in sales.

Reyes, who works behind the glittering displays of the jewelry department, said some items are consistently popular.

“Lot of people come in here looking for engagement rings,” she said.

Michael Pomeroy, an employee working at the tool counter, said he has noted an increase in the number of household goods, like appliances, sold by customers.

“The economy has pushed people to buy second time around,” he said.

Outside of the bizarre display items, many people come to Dicker & Deal to try and beat the price of full retail.

Derek and Jessica DeMay said they come to the store when looking for bargains.

“Usually we look for movies here,” Jessica DeMay said.

Pomeroy said unlike other secondhand stores, certain items at Dicker & Deal have a three- to seven- day courtesy warranty, a policy set up by the store’s owner, Gary Potter.

“Gary cares for his people here,” Pomeroy said.

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