Pawn Stars: Thanks for no cover charge

Last week my Vegas trip only really included one thing on the bucket list. Visit the actual site of the Pawn Stars tv show. I was initially disappointed. The pawn shops close to where i live are stuffed to the rafters with things to look at. But it made me wonder a lot about a few things.

Firstly, I have nothing against the guys. I still enjoy the show and watch reruns over other programming out there. But really what was I expecting? It's just a pawn shop; a pokey one in some respects. Very little of note is on display. If you actually like any historical stuff, tons of museums large and small have better examples then what was "in the case". Is the opportunity to purchase "a piece of history" that great a draw? Is this a great example of reality television at its best?

I am really out there with my feelings on this because of a nagging idea that I couldn't resolve: Where is the money? Most would think a tv deal would lead to some windfall of cash but nothing seems apparent on the showroom decor. Nice, matching display units really wouldn't ruin the bottom line, would it? I don't know if the large storage facility is a recent renovation or not. I am currently leaning to the idea that the Pawn Stars are wise to the fleeting nature of tv and only stuck their neck out for a small investment in merchandizing hoping to milk it as long as possible.

Maybe a spin-off show for Chum Lee will cause a few larger ripples. Who knows? The two spin-offs from Storage Wars are lame, despite the main character(s) having some draw.

HHY11

ps. I chose 2,3,5,8,9,10

I went there before it was a TV show and
it was a typical Vegas pawn. Lots of watches
and rings and bling, and that's about it.
It was a hole in the wall, their claim to
fame has always been the 24/7 window
where you can pawn your Rolex at 4am.

24/7 scary concept.
I admit i did no research on the place.
Really strange that it is listed on the route map for the bus.

Scenes where gangsters get shot have been on maps.

The real idiots are the ones who wait on line in the hot sun to see what is just an ordinary pawn shop. At least the casinos offer you a free drink when you come in from the hot sun.

Prior to small loan companies and payday loan companies, pawn shops was all there was if you were poor. And if you couldn't get your merchandise out of hock in time, it might still be there on display and you could buy it back.

Now just about anything is obsolete so pretty much its junk at a low price or "junkque" at a low price.

It's definitely something you would be disappointed with, but still have to see it. Somebody ask about Rick and his stoner laugh if you go. Same old story the guys are never there and just open bars for money appearances, they say.

many people on here un happy with that store.

https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/questions-and-answers/las-vegas/569-pawn-stars/

https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/las-vegas-attractions/other/17179-pawn-stars/4/

ETA: I like the show Brandi and Jarrod, but I am probably biased because I think Brandy is super hot.

Quote: HornHighYo11

L
Firstly, I have nothing against the guys. I still enjoy the show and watch reruns over other programming out there. But really what was I expecting? It's just a pawn shop; a pokey one in some respects. Very little of note is on display. If you actually like any historical stuff, tons of museums large and small have better examples then what was "in the case". Is the opportunity to purchase "a piece of history" that great a draw? Is this a great example of reality television at its best?

IIRC they have said on the show a few times that most of their business is loans and not purchases. On a youtube bumper Rick said many sharp locals will pawn their ATV in the off-season as is cheap storage and the only kind of storage where the lessor is on the hook if the thing gets damaged or stolen. So this might account for most stuff not being in the store.

Having cut the cord I have not seen many newer episodes but the show seems to now be 2-3 items coming in and more "reality" based around the owners. How many times can the same experts be called in and say the same basic things? (a shame, the book expert chick is kind of cute)

Any pawn shop I have seen is mostly a WOFT as far as shopping goes. Items are beat to hell in most cases. Savings not worth it for the junk it is. Though I am surprised more stuff from the show is not on the floor to sell to people who would buy it because it was on the show.

SECOND THOUGHT: I am *not* surprised because most of the "sales" on the show never really happen so there is nothing to sell.

I'd still stop in to see it if there was no line and no cover charge. Get there early so I don't get stabbed outside on the street.

It was 106 F they day we walked in. I had a hangover too. If a line existed it would have been "pass".
The junk shop on the other side of the porn studio was a lot more interesting. The quy in there was talkative and didn't try to push anything. My brother-in-law looked at a Clint Eastwood poster but the guy was quick to point out it's a reproduction you could get anywhere online for the same price ($75). The originals available on the strip were for $thousands.

Maybe this should be another thread: MASSIVE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT seen on the bus ride there. Looks like a whole new strip being built at once!

PS. Yes, Brandi is hot. Unfortunately the show's concept is in the realm of "we don't need to try to have a point, it's 'reality'."

More classic Vegas stuff such as old chips at the pawn store between Binions & the Fremont casino in the alley. Worth a visit if downtown. Old gruff owner who knows his stuff. What a Pawnshop should be.

Quote: onenickelmiracle

It's definitely something you would be disappointed with, but still have to see it. Somebody ask about Rick and his stoner laugh if you go. Same old story the guys are never there and just open bars for money appearances, they say.

When I was there on a Sunday, I was told the Harrisons were there Monday-Friday 40 weeks a year.

I have seen the show many times and went to the pawn shop on one of my Vegas trips. IIRC, the area of the store with the glass display counters that you see on TV is pretty much the extent of it. The rest of the place (that I saw) was show merchandise. Chumlee cups and things of that nature. There's not much to it.

Quote: HornHighYo11

Maybe a spin-off show for Chum Lee will cause a few larger ripples. Who knows?

Chumlee is the worst part of Pawn Stars IMO. The show used to be informative, even if staged, but now it's all family drama of Chumlee pushing the limits of what he can get away with concerning Rick and his 'place' in the business. Totally staged now, hard to believe anyone as stupid as Chumlee acts can keep a job.

Quote: HornHighYo11

The two spin-offs from Storage Wars are lame, despite the main character(s) having some draw.

Now there's a new one about Brandi and Jarrod at home. And of course all Jarrod ever wears is that lame-ass OUTLAW apparel he allegedly started 10 years ago. Such shameless plugging. On the last show, even his kids are wearing it on camera. Brandi could do better.

Pawn shops seldom buy anything, let alone anything
expensive like Rick does. It's all fake, all set up. The
stuff that ends up for sale is stuff that was pawned
and the owners never came back for it.

If you come in with a $3000 Rolex and want Rick to
buy it for $2200, he won't do it. But he will let you
pawn it for $1500, knowing there's a 90% chance
you'll never come back. Good business move on his
part.

Beverly Hills pawn shop quote from their website

"We can offer you between $5.00 to $1 million. We review each item individually and will let you know the value."

http://www.maxferdjewelryandloanbh.com/

Quote: rxwine

"We can offer you between $5.00 to $1 million. We review each item individually and will let you know the value."

I've always wondered what the highest amount Gold and Silver Pawn would be willing to pay for the right item would be. If an authentic handwritten Shakespeare play walked in the door, for an extreme example.

If you don't need cash right away, you can afford to avoid pawnshops as that's not likely to be your best bet.

Quote: Deucekies

I've always wondered what the highest amount Gold and Silver Pawn would be willing to pay for the right item would be. If an authentic handwritten Shakespeare play walked in the door, for an extreme example.

Couldn't give much because the paper would fade if you put it in a frame. And just *one* play? Shakespeare wrote lots of plays and collectors want the full set. And it would have to go to auction and it they have to pay an auction fee...........

Quote: AZDuffman

Couldn't give much because the paper would fade if you put it in a frame. And just *one* play? Shakespeare wrote lots of plays and collectors want the full set. And it would have to go to auction and it they have to pay an auction fee...........

http://most-expensive.com/autograph

There are only six Shakespeare signatures known in existence. Each worth around $5 million due to the rarity alone. A manuscript actually written by Shakespeare could be worth ten times that much, according to this article. Remember nothing Shakespeare wrote was believed to survive the fire at the Globe.

Anyway, that was just an example.

Quote: Deucekies

http://most-expensive.com/autograph

There are only six Shakespeare signatures known in existence. Each worth around $5 million due to the rarity alone. A manuscript actually written by Shakespeare could be worth ten times that much, according to this article. Remember nothing Shakespeare wrote was believed to survive the fire at the Globe.

Anyway, that was just an example.

Yes, good luck finding a handwritten Shakespeare play. They don't exist. The best you could hope for would be a First Folio. There are 228 in existence.

Do they pay for betting systems?

Quote: Deucekies

I've always wondered what the highest amount Gold and Silver Pawn would be willing to pay for the right item would be.

Up to one half of fair market value*. "You gotta leave me some room to make money."

If your goal is to turn a thing into some cash now, a pawn shop is useful.

More specialized dealers generally get you a better percentage, but may take longer.




*Possibly with exceptions on precious metals purchased for melt.

The show has gotten so ridiculous I quit watching
last year. When somebody brought is a guitar that
belonged to Jimi Hendrix and wanted $750K for it,
when it should have been in a Sotheby's auction,
the show jumped the shark for me.