Jeff Smith spent a long time checking out all of the pawnshops in the Lansing area, and thought he could create something a little different for local buyers and sellers. So far, he’s feeling pretty good about the hypothesis. He first opened The Swap Meet eight months ago on South MLK, and he has already expanded into a new location on Michigan Avenue.
“I don’t like dealing with things that sit around and don’t sell,” he says. “The fast flip is the best thing you can do in this business.”
The new 2,000 square foot location more than doubles the space of the original Swap Meet spot. In addition to focusing on a quick turnaround of his inventory, Smith only buys and sells electronics, with a special focus on video games.
“I try to offer people a little better price for things,” Smith says. “I don’t say, ‘I’ll give you five bucks for that,’ and then sell if for a hundred. I try to do right by people.”
The Swap Meet opened on Michigan Avenue last week. The business currently employs Smith, along with two partners. Eventually, Smith says, he would like to expand upon The Swap Meet’s partnership with
Cellular and Gaming Repair by growing into a joint location.
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