08/21/2026
Meet our NEWEST HOCK-N-ROLLER...........FRED OESTLIN
Tell us a little about yourself! What’s your name, Haakan Fredrik Oestlin (Fred or swede to make it simple )
What do you do at Pawn Express?
I'm new to being at this side of the pawn business but I try to be kinda a jack of all trades the parts im most comfortable and knowledgeable about is electronics gaming equipment and guns tho
Where in Sweden are you from? 🇸🇪
I was born in Boraas a city that was know for traveling salesmen way back in the day these days its mostly mail order companies
How did you end up making your way from Sweden to Alabama? We need the story!
I took part in the diversity lottery and won a green card so I packed my bags and moved to a friend in South Carolina and from there i joined the army as an infantryman/mortarman and spent 8 years in Texas as active duty (where I got the nickname swede) i deployed 2 times to Iraq doing everything from guarding high ranking offices , teaching Iraqi soldiers how to shoot and use mortar systems to closing down combat outposts and preparing for the U.S withdrawal from Iraq.
Then I spent a year in Michigan national guard teaching soldiers everything from driving military vehicles to shooting the different weapon systems. But it was way to cold up north for me to be comfortable so when a friend needed help with his dog training business I moved to Alabama to help him and did my last 2 years in Alabama national guard and I enjoyed it here in Alabama so after my friend left I stayed and I been here for 10 years out of the 20 I have been in the states and citizen for about 17 years
What’s the biggest difference between Sweden
and Alabama that you noticed when you first got here?
I had been such a long time in the states before I got to Alabama but the biggest difference is the weather because there country living in Sweden too
What’s one thing about Sweden that you really miss?
Mom's rotisserie chicken with gravy and rice
What’s one thing about Alabama that you’ve grown to love?
The short winters
What brought you to Pawn Express?
I needed a job that is not boring and not the same everyday that and made it possible for me to use my knowledge and interest in my work and this was it
What’s your favorite thing in the store to buy, sell, or learn about?
Being an old infantryman long guns pistols always calm me and gaming equipment like consoles and computers is also among favorites
What do you like to do when you’re not at Pawn Express?
On my down time I like to spend time with family play video games and trying to relax
What kind of music do you listen to? Favorite band or artist? 🎸
Favorite music is hard to narrow down because it all depends on my mood everything from Distubed to Shabooze not to much in to rap and grunge tho
What’s your favorite Swedish food?
Still mom's chicken
What’s something about you that people would be surprised to learn?
I see and hear more than people think and I remember things about people pretty good
If you could travel anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
I think I would go to Japan its a county I always wanted to visit
If you won the lottery tomorrow, what’s the first thing you’d buy?
A jeep wrangler rubicon 392
Who at Pawn Express has made you laugh the most?
Dunny tripping over a lawnmower
Describe the Pawn Express crew in three words.
Crazy crazier and family
What’s something you’d like to accomplish while you’re here at Pawn Express?
Become a small arms repairman
What’s one thing you want our customers to know about you?
I do think a bit to fast at times and sometimes I forget not everyone have the same experience and interests as me
