Is Pawn Stars Fake Or Are They Really Robbing People Blind?
As the America economy continues to collapse on itself, the vultures are circling. Up against that wall, we may be forced to sell off our most prized possessions to put meager scraps on the table. Gone is that porcelain figurine collection we spent a lifetime building, out the window is grandma’s antique piano and even our favorite compact disk compilations escape from our homes via eBay. In this crisis, there is one type of person who is thriving. He is the pawnbroker.
Recently, the show “Pawn Stars” has made this pawn shop world seem very alluring, even a bit glamorous. The stars– a father, son and grandfather all by the name of Harrison– appear like decent folk. They’re whip smart and engaging. They’re cheerful and genuinely interested in the history of the objects they acquire. Yet there are also moments where they display flashes of mercenary self-interest, when their push to make a quick buck leaves the suffering pawner with barely enough money to fill up the gas tank on the way home.
If we turn to the Bible, we will see that God knew a great deal about this type of work. Usury, which is defined as the lending of money at unnecessarily high rates, is strictly condemned. Apostle Paul wisely warned us, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.” Furthermore, we are instructed that a man should not profit by taking the very things another needs to be employed. (“No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge, for he taketh a man’s life to pledge.” –Deuteronomy 24:6-13). I think all of us who watch pray breathlessly that that’s not what’s going on here behind the scenes!
What many find most shocking about Pawn Stars is that once items are appraised at fair market value by outside experts, the shop keepers turn around and offer ridiculously lowball amounts for these wonderful pieces of Americana. The seller is usually nervous and dejected, pressured as the tv camera zooms in for disconcerting close-ups. One imagines that the actual moments of tears and yelling are edited out for legal purposes. It’s all too terrifying for many of us to watch! And then the tension builds as these pawners realize that they’ll never appear on the cable show unless they agree to Rick’s punishing demands. Is there a secret reason why Chumlee and Big Hoss are always hovering nearby, like the mobster-style enforcers in an illegal brothel? Are there guns in the shop? Honestly, we deserve to be told that much. It’s not quite clear how they convince these poor saps to accept the offers, but they do! Each and every time! How gut-wrenching to see this con played out night after night on unsuspecting fools who must return with a few grungy bills to their angry wives and hungry children.
A further analysis reveals some very serious questions about the veracity of this show. We are led to believe it’s all genuine, the honest depiction of the goings on in a small Vegas store. Yet numerous documented cases discovered by this journalist tell a different story. Indeed, Big Hoss Harrison himself has a dangerous history. “He dropped out of high school to pursue his $2,000-a-week business of selling fake Gucci bags. With enough money to partner with his father at the age of 23, he never looked back,” one biography reveals. A damning piece of evidence concerns a gigantic antique twenty-dollar bill supposedly discovered in a grandfather’s bureau. Later, experts on the web noted that it was in fact previously owned by a notorious money trader and recorded in databases maintained by governmental monitoring agencies. Other questionable activities have also come to light, including the purchase of a $38,000 balloon ride, a Coca-Cola machine that miraculously took only a week to refurbish and came back looking completely different and a “family heirloom” flax bow that changed colors every time it was filmed!
Then there is the episode with the 16th-century pocket sundial. The supposed seller, it later came out, didn’t even own it. His story is as follows:
Billy was in Las Vegas and went in to the Pawn Shop to get autographs when they asked him if he wanted to be on TV. They handed him the sundial and told him to act the part. It took about 3 hours to film the segment.
Another outraged viewer detailed his frustrations with the show in this way:
The new season has contained some incidents which I think were scripted and phony.
1.) Chumlee dropping the ball & chain into the display case. Rick gives it to him before pricing it or cataloging it. Then a security guard, we’ve never seen on the show, distractes Chumlee before he drops it. Seem like a set-up
2. Big Hoss letting the antique “potty” chair fall out of the back of a pick-up. C’mon, anyone who has transported any kind of antique chair never just tosses it into the back of a truck. Do they think we are stupid?
I know the show is just “Antiques Roadshow” made into a reality show with funny scenes and cool people. But they don’t need the fake scenes to make it better, they only cheapen the show.
As this scandal continues to unfold, surely more evidence will surface. How horrific that the History Channel partakes in this chicanery. Are they getting secret kickbacks from the Harrisons for their collusion? What ever happened to the History Channel of yesteryear, with its fantastic war epics and heroic biographies? This lust for glam that you see on this station now is deeply disturbing, as if war no longer means much to the young people of today. There were so many great series that reminded us of the military might of our country. To see that replaced by threatening, black-shirted men trawling the underside of the American dream reveals much about what we have become under the rise of Obaman oligarchy. Will the just never find justice as television shows steal that last gasp of reality from their viewers?
One program that is superbly intellectually superior is American Pickers. It lacks the grit and slime of the Las Vegas strip, replacing it with fresh air and glorious landscapes. Pickers is a tearjerking celebration of America in a way that most Christians can delight in! Despite the sassy, punk rock shop girl Danielle (who really needs to be put in her place more often), Frank and Mike impress and intrigue! (Personally, I loved the “Mole Man” episode! The critics are fools!) They take to the road in their shiny white truck and encounter a wide array of colorful characters in our heartland, sharing cozy motel rooms and meals at quaint restaurants in between. Their “on the road” adventures are thrilling and the camaraderie shared between these two hearty, handsome men will excite any viewer!
The Cast of Pawn Stars
- Richard, a.k.a. “The Old Man”:
Sadly, the younger generations do not show their senior citizen the deference he deserves. There is a disheartening amount of back talk and sassiness around the shop, with Chumlee specifically being the most guilty of this. Father may be fading mentally in his twilight years, but that’s no reason to mock him as he stumbles gently into that good night.
- Rick:
I find his bald head rather an attractive look for a middle-aged man and a positive emblem of American masculinity. However, speaking with his hands so often spoils Rick’s image with a certain feminine pomposity.
- Corey, a.k.a. “Big Hoss”:
The poor child has been criticized all across the internet for his weight, but I find that the least of his problems. He often looks exhausted and cranky as he lurks in the corner. Why does he have such red eyes and mussy hair? Has he been out all night at expensive discos, insinuating himself with Vegas’s famous ”ladies of the evening”? Maybe such proximity to the Las Vegas strip is too much of a temptation for such a young man.
- Austin, a.k.a. “Chumlee”:
I sense something sinister in this boy. He seems a bit sharper than the rest, as if he’s just waiting for his moment to swoop in and steal the tv show. While I have my reservations about his character, I respect that he’s the one who volunteers to test out the most dangerous weapons brought into the shop. Masculine and brave!
http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/07/05/why-we-watch-pawn-stars/
- Sinful
- Suspicious
- Scared
- Sad
- Amused
- Laughing Out Loud
Author: Stephenson Billings
Stephenson Billings is an Investigative Journalist, Motivational Children's Party Entertainer and Antique Soda Bottle Collector all in one special, blessed package! Facebook me here or Fanmail me: StephensonBillings@yahoo.com !
10:53 am
Stephenson,
You have done it again. Another informative piece delivered in your succinct writing style that makes me proud to be a ChristWire member.
While I have not witnessed either of these shows, I did catch the grandchildren viewing “Oddities” which is part of the Science channel programming. Of course I was a little apprehensive simply because it was on the Science channel rather than Trinity Broadcasting Network or Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network.
Similar to the formats you describe above, “Oddities” showcases Satanic totems, Wiccan tinctures and human remains as commodities in this little house of horrors. Oh my, the clients of these purveyors of death and demonic charms must be seen to be believed to exist in our God fearing country! Ethnically questionable and most assuredly morally debasing, this show is an affront to Christian values and family.
Once I realized what the children were exposed to I quickly contacted Church leaders and cleared the weekend schedule for fasting, praying and scripture study. With their help I pray the harm is reversible.
Again, thank you for your selfless and tireless work. You are a blessing for so many Christians.
Praise be,
BB
Hot debate. What do you think?
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10:55 pm
I agree, however there is a show called jersey shore which I have never watched, but I have nieces that watch this show, I read what it contains and it is sad and would make an adult blush in shame watching it. I think that these shows, which is on mtv need to be stopped, they are sick and sad and there is no education of any sort as american pickers and pawn stars and oddities, these can be educating where mtv broadcasts are pure garbage.
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10:20 am
Certainly I think Pawn Stars is somewhat staged. I’m surprised, though, that practically no mention is made of Hardcore Pawn, which seems to be more clearly about a pawn shop in the middle of urban America which is feeding off the desperation of the minority population.
Perhaps the writer (who I’m not surprised is a Christian male) was too distracted by Rick’s incredible masculinity?
On Frank and Mike: Stephenson claims the “camaraderie shared between these two hearty, handsome men will excite any viewer” and can’t get enough of the “brotherly love”
On Rick: “I find his bald head rather an attractive look for a middle-aged man and a positive emblem of American masculinity.”
On Chumlee: “Masculine and brave.”
Of course, the only mentions of females are negative. Danielle, the smart and beautiful Pickers assistant apparently needs to be “put in her place more often.” Rick’s tendency to talk with his hands reeks of “feminine pomposity.”
God love male supremacist Christians who don’t see how homoerotic their own statements are. Well done.
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11:40 am
I watch America Pickers all the time. Never knew of this pawn star show. First of all, I don’t like their play on words for the title. Second, the guys are way t scary looking for anyone under the age of 21 to watch it.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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11:04 pm
Tyson, if you ever want to sell off your toy train collection or your Pat Boone albums, I’m the man with the eBay connection!
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2:28 pm
Please! Get rid of all his Pat Boone records! You can also get rid of his Barbara Streisand, Bette Midler, and Micheal Buble records too.
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11:02 am
You cuntsucker, I watch this show all the time. All of these age standards on this site are rediculous! 8:00 curfew?
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11:19 am
Are swear words necessary?
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11:24 am
I think they help illustrate my point. Sorry if you are offended but, like I said, that’s rediculous.
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11:44 am
You don’t have a point. This show is fake and sends out very negative messages about America. WHat the people on this show do is Biblically wrong.
There is no room for debate on this. Accept it and change the channel.
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1:05 pm
There are quite a few things about America that’s wrong when it comes to the Bible. And no room for debate on this? What are you, fucking five years old?
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1:28 pm
I am merely stating the truth, a truth which I have proven again and again with my studious and dedicated work. I realize it would be too much to ask you to appreciate that, but at the very least you must admit you’re outgunned when it comes to factuality and faith.
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1:39 pm
You confuse people on a regular basis after claiming you’ve researched them. You’re completely lacking in the ‘factuality’ aspect of things. I’ll give you the faith one though, you sure do stick to your crazy conspiracy theories even when the truth is right in front of you.
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1:23 pm
Hi! Long time reader, first time poster. I too watched this show. It left me with an empty feeling inside. I think they made the show on purpose.
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2:22 pm
I hate how the guys will just mumble some price. “I think this done been done rang up $200, maybe $400 dollar.” Then the little counter zooms up to $2,000. They drive the price up no matter what the little podunk says it should fetch on the market, just so more people will watch. It’s like a 3rd world version of Antiques Roadshow.
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10:23 am
“I think they made the show on purpose.” Well, I certainly hope so. It would be quite a miracle if four seasons of television was somehow done accidentally.
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1:31 pm
“As the America economy”
You left an “n” out, Mr. “Journalist”.
“even our favorite compact disk compilations escape from our homes via eBay”
That’s why you rip the disks onto your computer prior to selling them, you dumbass.
“Yet numerous documented cases discovered by this journalist tell a different story.”
You’re not a journalist.
“Their “on the road” adventures are thrilling and the camaraderie shared between these two hearty, handsome men will excite any viewer!”
Handsome? Um, maybe to you…
“I find his bald head rather an attractive look for a middle-aged man and a positive emblem of American masculinity.”
You are so gay…
“Masculine and brave!”
What on earth is so great about masculinity?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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11:08 pm
Claire, “American Economy” versus “America Economy” is simply a prose stylistic choice. I’m curious, which of these shows do the young people like today? There are so many others: Hardcore Pawn, Auction Hunters, Storage Wars, Auction Kings, etc.. etc..
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11:13 pm
“Claire, “American Economy” versus “America Economy” is simply a prose stylistic choice.”
Which, as a trained copy editor, I can attest, is an actual grammatical error on your part. The portion of the sentence it was in (as it was a compound sentence), read, “As the America economy continues to collapse on itself”. This would ONLY be grammatically correct IF you had written, “As America’s economy”, or, “As the American economy”. Otherwise, you’re just lying to cover up your mistake, a simple grammatical mistake that any middle-school student could have made. A real journalist would admit their mistakes, but I guess you’re too busy trying to play God to do that, aren’t you?
“I’m curious, which of these shows do the young people like today? There are so many others: Hardcore Pawn, Auction Hunters, Storage Wars, Auction Kings, etc.. etc..”
Most young people don’t CARE about shows like that. They watch programmes like Glee, Jersey Shore, NCIS, and the like. Why do you even care? You’re so creepy, it’s astonishing.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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11:19 pm
Congratulations, the first post you did without the prefix, “As a lesbian….”
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11:24 pm
Astute observation, my friend.
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11:38 pm
Yes, we’ve all certainly learned A LOT about RD in the past few weeks, maybe more than we really want to know.
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11:49 pm
Well, I think I may be to blame. I have this affect on bull-lesbians. It is my cross to bear.
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11:53 pm
Praise you for carrying it, I just gave you my first “Praise Click”
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12:20 pm
“Claire, “American Economy” versus “America Economy” is simply a prose stylistic choice.”
Riiiiight…
“I’m curious, which of these shows do the young people like today? There are so many others: Hardcore Pawn, Auction Hunters, Storage Wars, Auction Kings, etc.. etc..”
Since you claim to know me so well, shouldn’t you be able to tell me which shows I like?
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1:45 pm
Thank you. This webs site is the number three most popular site in my country amongst people who can not afford to own a computer with modem. I have had many experiances with these pawns shops, or as we call them. “Jewish roundhouses”. One time I took my wifes jewelery to the roundhouse to get cash for my oriental massage. After tax collecting I went to go buy them back and they charged me 400%, hebrew heathens.
Hebrew money changers have been a burden on manking since the days of old.
Mark 11:15-17
And they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the Temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the Temple, and He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons; and He would not allow any one to carry anything through the Temple. And He taught, and said to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”
Hon. H Mwabwetumba.
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12:21 am
Upi traitor. You call yourself honorable. While in parliament you several times voted against public internet access during the war. Your actions left our country divided today. Ask the people of Burkina Faso. Once caught I only hope your are brught up before a tribunal in Hague. Hope your massage had a happy ending, it will be your last.
Félix Doh
Mouvement populaire ivoirien du Grand Ouest MPIGO
Praise Allah
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12:43 am
You call me a traitor? I am the one who has pictures of you sucking on the teat of the Hebrew heathens. You will never catch me. Your death squads have failed six times to terminate me. May you rot in whatever hell your false idol has provided for you.
Most Hon. H Mwabwetumba
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3:55 pm
Yes I call you a traitor. Your regime killed my sister and 2 of my wives. The photos you have of me are fake. It is you who has admitted here to doing business with the Hebrew money changers. You shall die at the hands of our freedom squads.
Félix Doh
Mouvement populaire ivoirien du Grand Ouest MPIGO
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2:51 pm
Outside of what Claire said and your gay-love for clowns and a handful of sentences, this isn’t THAT bad. I kinda have to agree with some of the points, I honestly think that the dudes on Pawn Stars do try to rip people off, and if a good chunk of the show is entirely fake, then it’s pretty much a betrayal to the fans of the network and show.
That’s all I’ll agree with you though, and if you think I’m apologizing, then you certainly are blind and retarded.
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4:11 pm
I agree completely this author really knows his stuff. His knowledge is a true gift.
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11:00 pm
Pawn Stars is the most successful show on the History Channel, pull in over 7 million viewers a month! I have heard from many friends, particularly the people I meet on eBay, that they obsess over this show. They love the history and truly believe in the reality of it all. But it doesn’t pass muster in my book. It has always seemed fraudulent and pumped up to catch a little of that Vegas glam and danger. Apparently the store itself is now a big destination in LV, with two hour lines just to get inside!
Clearly this whole trend owes a lot to Public Broadcasting System’s Antiques Roadshow. It’s spun off a version in England, too, which of course the Brits drool over. They’ve had their scandals with appraisers who secretly tried to buy items after the show from people. I guess my biggest problem with the Roadshow is that their estimates reflect a mythical auction price, which is often incredibly unpredictable and comes with many hidden fees and taxes. Houses charge between 15%-25% of the winning bid, etc. So it’s all a shell game.
And American Pickers, I really do love them but sometimes Mike buys the most ridiculous items and I have to wonder if the History Channel is giving them cash for all this. A lot of their purchases you see in junk shops and on eBay for far less. Who is buying the rusty bicycles and broken motorcycle parts from them? A lot of their early big purchases can still be seen in the background when they do scenes in their shop. Some harsh criticism has erupted that these guys are prowling the countryside to prey on old people, ripping them off by buying antiques for pennies on the dollar. That may have been true with Leland, but the American economy doesn’t turn without a few folks getting dirty. I’m more shocked at home many people have enormous outbuildings and barns just full of stuff! Of course I’m jealous but who are these people? Are they pack rats and hoarders (I hate THAT show by the way)? And some really have incredible old cars, fire engines, hearses and all this fun stuff. I saw a show the other day where a guy collected buildings! BUILDINGS! Who has the land and the money to do that? And he wasn’t the first, they’ve had several people like this, who construct small towns in their back yards. What does this mean? Why is this happening in America? I am always confused by that show, though I adore it immensely. In any event, thank you for the compliment Comedian. You are a nice fellow sometimes.
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11:18 am
There’s a fellow in Charleston, Missouri, that claims to have the “World’s Largest Hairball“. Makes me throw up a little just thinking about it.
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5:57 pm
I can just imagine the disease and lice nesting in that thing!
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1:24 am
I only see preview on history channel is surely like deadwood … plain Boring
oh and by the way your economy is not falling apart it’s WAS falling apart actually we should said it’s stable yet it didnt regain anything yet
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1:43 am
I remember the good old days when the only thing the history channel showed was Patton and MacArthur kicking tail worldwide.
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3:50 am
Here’s a popular clip from the show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU76nhgpQCk
It gets 7 million viewers a month! People are going crazy about this show! Maybe it’s just a uniquely American phenomenon. I don’t know Deadwood, but I don’t think it’s a reality show.
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12:43 pm
nah deadwood are plainly a western serie
what I mean is almost everything in history channel now are plain Boring
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11:05 pm
the economy fell apart in 2005 and kept falling, and it is still falling hard. In the past three years… I have worked 7 weeks in my state, and 12 months in other states. The economy is falling hard and everyone I know is out of work.
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11:58 am
Another testimate to this site. Incredible.
So Pawn shop owners are taking the needed items of the many and providing little in echange to compensate the for the “actual value of the product. This is called making a profit…..
We could just start this perpetual cycle of handing out money for no reason to people who “need” it…..oh wait we do, its called Well Fare and I am sure you are all opposed to that.
Next, You quoted the apostle Paul; “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.”
You know who (or should I say what regions)do not charge interest on their purchases and lending because of a similar creed derived from the same source…..Muslims!!! In muslim countries it is illegal to charge debt and thus leave a debt outstanding. Indstead, they set payments without penalty. Partly because their governments are rich as hell with oil money, but otherwise because it is one of their creedos.
And I know you all hate muslims, so i hope that wasnt a slap in the face.
Last, Pawn Stars is a show. On both Pickers and Pawn Stars, they try to get items from people at a value lower then what it is worth. Otherwise they would not have a thriving business or a TV show. Do they want to rob people, NO!
I have seen on both shows, scenarios where the item in question was appraised by the customer at a lower value and the pawn brokers/pickers offered more than asked for out of decency.
And they are not taking things that people NEED. There is a difference between necessity and Stuff. Who needs a civil war musket? or a classic Coke machine?
I swear, you idiots just hate everything dont you?
Please stop.
Much Love
Adam
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5:59 pm
Problem is Adam, they take advantage of needy, desperate people. It’s a bit disgusting to watch them prey on these hard up people! And they do it for the camera, the bigger the con the bigger the ratings. People seem to enjoy watching others get beaten down and robbed. Not very decent!
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2:48 pm
They lowball so that they can make money when they sell it again, it is that simple. If you think thats wrong then go to their shop and tell people not to sell their things. They are saints for even letting the sellers hear the retail price, instead of consulting specialists outside of the bargaining table. The guys don’t look mobsters, hell, Chumlee is borderline retarded. He actually comes off as being really stupid, innocent, and rather nice. You know nothing about running a business. And btw, the economy is stable and never came close to crumbling. We were in a recession which is a natural part of any economy. Sometimes we grow, sometimes we receded, its the natural cycle and will always, no matter what country, what time, and what kind of economic system. You know nothing about business and your article reflects that. Good job publishing something which lacks any intelligence what so ever.
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7:55 pm
I’d rather see them as porn stars!!! MMMMmm…. Lemon party and poopies a flying. Mmmm… Sucking the poopies off those peanuses!
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7:04 pm
is this a joke?
how easily you christians throw stones
and bear false witness
pawn shops are historically a way for people with no line of credit
to get money to pay their bills and expenses
and on at least a dozen episodes a person walks in and asks for some low
amount for something they own and then an expert tells them its worth much more
and the pawn staff pays them thousands more than they origionally wanted
and its a bit hard to say they prey on people
when those people walk in and try to get as much as they can for something they dont want and arent willing to put in the effort to sell them self
and you see the numbers and think oh the rip off
but the pawn stars don’t just buy an item
they buy the cost of storing it
the hassle of selling it
the uncertainty it will sell
the chance its stolen and will be a complete loss for them
while the people they buy from get to walk away with the money for no effort
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8:32 am
Vekman’s comment is all that needs to be said regarding this article. In no way is a PAWN SHOP ripping people off when they offer the average used-item repurchase price of 33% (about a third).
I wonder if the author of this article has ever been to a pawn shop. Has he ever considered the logistics of trying to run a pawn shop? Perhaps he should, before accusing them of taking another man’s millstone and usury. If you want to challenge usurious businesses, there are a LOT of payday lenders, tote-the-note auto dealers, and a slew of other (legal) scams that charge upwards of 500% interest. The pawn shop charges 10%.
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7:40 pm
you dick-sucking Jesus freaks crack me up.
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11:52 pm
I seriously lol’d at this site, you guys take religion way too seriously. There are no “shocking endings and the store is not sorbid and dark. For **** sake it’s a tv show, this is an actual shop, I live near it. They don’t try to rip people off, they tell them how much it’s worth and ASK them if they want to pawn it or sell it or keep it. They don’t force people to sell their items to them. I do admit they use some sly word tricks to get them to sell, but it’s still THEIR CHOOSE if they want to sell it. The prices they offer are lower than they’re worth because they need to make money, too. And wtf is up with the ‘$38000 balloon ride’ the link comes up to them playing with old toys. Nice Proof
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12:19 am
Last time i was in vegas i bought a guitar. Its an ibanez Rg320 it costs over 600$ i bought it for 320$ seems like i got the better end.
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3:33 pm
whoever published this is an idiot they completely stretch minor details and make them out to be a big deal. Things like the amount of sassiness, that happens in all families and they are clearly just messing around. This show is perfectly fine and a good show. I am a Christian and this represents our religion poorly they are in no way stealing the items or lowballing the people it is a business and each party makes about the same amount of money. Besides the people dont have tot take the “lowball” offers.
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1:16 am
This article is ridiculous, although the evidence for the pawnstars section is pretty convincing, the overly oppinionated and self-righteous style of writing has completely put me off. “needs to be put in her place?” really? Is this because she’s a woman or because she has tattoos? I am a Christian but articles like this are why people don’t look to Christian sources for reliable information. Its always heavilly biased.
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7:24 pm
THIS IS ABSOLUTE FUCKING BULLSHIT!!!
American pickers rip people off just like Pawn Stars does.
AND your fucking source is from a forum post, and it could have been easily faked. Not to mention that the guy who posted only had 3rd hand information.
Don’t try to use Christianity to justify your personal distastes. WOW.
This one terrible article is going to introduce so much hype into ultra conservative circles just like Harry Potter, Yugioh, Pokemon, and anything remotely different.
GO FUCK YOURSELF
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6:54 pm
ITS A TV SHOW! Relax… Leave it up to the bible thumping christians to be the most judgmental. Typical. Get over yourself!!!
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4:59 pm
I’m the only Biblebanger on this site. My family has been banging bibles for years. Do not dare to impugn my character, or my familys, or I will do some serious smiting on your ass! And if you’ve ever seen someone with a smited ass you know it’s not a pretty sight.
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11:43 pm
I wouldn’t expect anything else from someone who loves Rush Limpdick…
Why not go a step further, and say that the American Economy is against the Bible’s teachings. The group that you associate yourself with loves this country so much, yet you try to tear down anything that this country actually stands for. Free Speech is only for those with your views. You get mad when the ten commandments is taken off public land, but forget that the people who founded this country wanted a separation of church and state, and it should NEVER have been there in the first place. I could go on, but I’m getting pissed off now. Love America? No…no that is not the case. You love yourselves and you hate when America decides that you fucked up somewhere and now they are fixing the mistakes that your people made at one point.
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2:30 am
Welcome to the business world, where people don’t give a shit how your life is going. And they lowball the price so they can make a profit off it. They are not buying these items to keep themselves and put on a shelf, they are strictly an investment to which a profit is to be made off of. It’s how they put “scraps” on their table. If they do a good enough job and work hard enough, they make lots of money. Good for them. It’s all about the Benjamins to the business world.
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3:24 am
“Why does he have such red eyes and mussy hair? Has he been out all night at expensive discos, insinuating himself with Vegas’s famous ”ladies of the evening”?”
I hope he did
Does it make you feel superior to look down upon someone else’s life style? (that you can’t even prove for a fact, by the way)
The real question is why are either of these shows on History channel. They keep their viewers with the ‘drama’ of haggling, and the ‘characters’ they attempt to develop (characters that you seem to have ‘bought’). Not a lot of focus is given to the actual history of the items.
To be honest, ‘Pickers’ has a level of creepiness that is….unsettling. We get to see people who live in the middle of nowhere America who are borderline (if not full-blown) hoarders. Many find it hard to even part with a single worn-out rusty item, until the reality of cash on the spot settles in their mind.
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1:08 am
It’s a business. If they paid retail price for items and sold them for the same price they would go out of business. They have to purchase items below what they will sell them for like any other retailer.
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1:56 am
Whoever wrote this piece thinks they are smart, when in reality they aren’t. I’m not going to go into detail on half of the mind boggingly dumb things “Stephenson” stated, but just to clarify a couple:
Stephenson happens to think that pawnbrokers “like” it when the economy is down. Hmm, really? If everyone is selling their precious herilooms, then who would be buying them from the pawn shop? The money desperate American public? Pawnbrokers are in reality hurt more than most people from a bad economy because no one is buying useless junk worth thousands of dollars when they need food on the table. Pawning is definitely still profitable, but the odds are someone will pay you back in a bad economy is much less than a good economy. Utterly contradictory and stupid logic…
The other thing that bugs me is his claim, “oh why doesn’t he buy the replica and make way more money when he finds out it’s real” Well, first of all it’s against the law and considered fraud. Secondly, because on the probable chance that the item in question IS fake then the pawnbroker obviously loses money.
I would stay away from Journalism “Stephenson”
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9:29 pm
It’s a “reality” show so of course it’s fake. What “reality” show is genuine?
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1:27 am
This ladie has no idea what she is talking about. I personal love the show. Ive learned a lot about different types of collectibles. Market value goes up and down. Just because something was worth a lot 5 years ago does not mean it is worth the same price now. Its called supply and demand. You call your self a journalist? big hoss did not drop out of highschool to sell fake gucci bags..it was rick! get your facts strait before you post something.
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3:05 am
You’re a fucking moron. I denounce my faith. By the way, the show is staged. Negotiations are done beforehand. The haggling you see on camera is just created to entertain viewers you misunderstanding, judgeful piece of shit. Fuck jeses
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6:25 pm
Wow, how ignorant of an article. What am I even doinf on this website… I’m smart enough to know religion is stupid.
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9:40 pm
So let me get this strait, the store should buy an item at retail price then turn around and sell it at retail price.
Thats not how you run a business.If you have something you want to sell you either spend hours looking for a top buyer. Or you go to a pawn shop and sell it quickly.
But that doesn’t apply to the pickers of course. They basically do the exact same thing as the Pawn Stars but without a store. Execpt they never tell the guy there buying stuff off of how much what they have is can be worth.
I’m not sure you understand how the economy works, you need to pay employees, keep the building running until eventually they find someone to sell the item to.
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3:11 pm
Is this a serious post? You make all these references to words that god (yes its a lower case g) put in the bible and you seem to base ur outlook 100% on a religious view but you have the nerve to judge each cast member? Mainly negatively? I say get the fuck off the Internet and worry about yourself its a reality tv show of course it’s going to be scripted and edited and parts faked or staged to make them more interesting. And just because people are broke does not mean they need to sell family heirlooms, so if they decide that’s what they want to do then that’s their decision, sure pawn shops low ball but so what they have been that way forever. People don’t have to take the offer. I can go on and on about this but I think my point has been made, if you would like to debate this without becoming childishly defensive my email is det1726 at gmail dot com.
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10:12 pm
First, For being a christian that’s a very judgemental article. Second, IF YOU DONT LIKE THE CONTENT OF THE SHOW DONT WATCH!!!!!!!
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9:21 pm
Turn to the bible for someone trying to make money? It’s a PAWN SHOP, that’s what they do. The people bringing in their items go there knowing full well that pawn shops undercut, they have to make a profit when they’re not selling things for retail value either. And even if they don’t it shouldn’t be such a “bad” thing, these people for the most part aren’t poor, a lot of them have to sell these things because they can no longer keep them in their house, or they have no use for it, or they found it and what some cash. If they really needed the money that bad, they would just pawn it, and come back later, pay the loan and reclaim their item. I’m all for religion, it doesn’t bother me in and of itself. I’m atheist, but that doesn’t mean I find religion repulsive or anything, but people like you who use religion as an excuse for EVERYTHING are the people I find to be the most ignorant,judgmental, and downright hateful people on this earth. People like you are ruining this nation and this planet for the rest of us.
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12:27 pm
Billy was in Las Vegas and went in to the Pawn Shop to get autographs when they asked him if he wanted to be on TV. They handed him the sundial and told him to act the part. It took about 3 hours to film the segment.
You only took a small part of that, the whole quote should be
Last Monday’s Pawn Stars on the History Channel had a segment about an ivory, 16th century, pocket sun dial. The man, Billy, selling it was from eastern NC, near where I live. A guy I work with knows Billy’s brother. Billy was in Las Vegas and went in to the Pawn Shop to get autographs when they asked him if he wanted to be on TV. They handed him the sun dial and told him to act the part. It took about 3 hours to film the segment. Is any of the segments for real, or is all made up? Does anyone know any of the people that have been on the Pawn Stars show?
My point is that you’re sourcing a discussion forum, not including the whole quote, and then trying to play it off as fact. They guy doesn’t even claim to be Billy, doesn’t claim to know Billy, it’s so far removed that it hold not creditability. Then you continue to criticize the show for authenticity, which is really a great example of the pot calling the kettle black.
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11:23 am
If you watched the episode with coke machine… The guy modified the machine to hold different types of drinks.
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10:28 pm
Personally I like this show. They are know a lot about what they are buying and if they don’t they actually call someone in. As an intelligent person, I’d sell my shit online, but some people don’t want to do that. So they go to the pawn shop where of course your going to get a lower price, than you asking price, they are trying to make money.
Yes I do believe some of the more comedic segments are scripted, but the actual people coming in to sell their items, not so much.
Personally I like this show a hell of a lot more than hardcore pawn…I actually feel like I’m watching something for a reason other than stupid drama.
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2:35 pm
Valuable info. Fortunate me I found your web site by chance, and I am stunned why this coincidence didn’t happened in advance! I bookmarked it.
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12:45 pm
well after reading this story and laughing so hard i almost teared up i gathered my thoughts to put this as nice as possible.. but sir you are just plain retarded when it comes to writing and slamming on a number 1 show.. if you pay attention during every episode leading up to the incident where chumlee drops the ball and chain through the glass show case you will notice that you have always seen that security guard the whole time. every time they show someone entering or leaving the shop hes by the door or talking to the greeter who opens the door for people.. also if you pay attention you will see everything that goes on in this half hour show. also i would say you should get your head out of your *** and maybe watch american restoration with Rick dale and his crew and you will see in depth on how they do all of their work.. most of all maybe you should take a trip to vegas and being your a journalist walk into their shop and see first hand if you can sit or stand in the back and view it as we see it.. maybe then maybe you will get off your high horse like all of the other slumming worthless jerks who just sit around bashing others or their life styles you will see thats what you say is false. also you cant go on by what people say.. i can say oh i went into the store and they gave me things to just sell and make a tv show series out of.. who cares if chumlee and corey bought a hot air baloon for 38grand.. they thought it was a good idea and came back to bite them in the ass.. you can ask any pawn broker including myself you make mistakes when you look ahead of yourselves and just look at the green and gold money signs when looking at an item. so to put it you are plain out dumb and retarded.. so sir get the facts straight before putting it here where you make yourself out to look like an ass..
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2:55 pm
why this article is ignorant:
1)you are bashing a reality show when it appears your real beef is with pawn shops in general
2)you claim they are ripping people off who have “angry wives and hungry children.” are you serious? these customers, or actors, present themselves as higher end customers who mostly are collectors themselves or just happened to come across a valuable item. if you have a hunch people are hawking their items to feed their families then go to a lower end pawn shop to see someone giving up their TV and wedding bands.
3)how are they ripping people off when they get an expert to tell the customer the fair market value? that’s the opposite of ripping off because the customer knows what their item is now worth as opposed to any other pawn shop in the country. the customer is able to make an informed decision unlike any other pawn shop in the country. nobody is forcing the customer to do anything; all they have to do is not sell it if they don’t want it
4)you point out that they do editing to deceive the viewers. ever take into account the editing they do that cuts out customers declining the shop’s offers?
5)this is reality TV. it’s entertainment. who cares if some of the show is fake or scripted? are you new to the reality TV genre? none of it is 100% ‘real’
6)you act like the History Channel has replaced all of their documentaries and fact shows with reality shows. get real you over-exaggerating old fogie
7)”dressed like mobsters”?
“sordid, dark store”?
“harlots and drunks”?
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT??!!!!
this doesn’t describe the show at all, whether a viewer likes the show or not. what’s dangerously inappropriate is your description of your article’s topic.
your article reeks like you are some old person who yells at kids to get of your lawn, you still claim rock and roll is the devil’s music, you support book burnings, tell everyone that kids today just don’t have the respect of their elders like they used to.
you better stick to PBS shows and documentaries because you could easily label anything else on TV as “dangerously inappropriate”.
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2:50 pm
I find it interesting that you blame them for trying to make money….you do realize that they’re running a business, right?
You go on to compare this to the bible and call it usury…
1) Usury applies to loans, therefore BUYING something at a lower price does not constitute usury.
2) It’s a f***ing TV SHOW. what does the bible have to do with that?
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11:16 pm
Mr Billings,
So the customers are taken advantage of? Explain this to me:
“Rick always buys as low as he can, but also always makes sure that the customer makes an informed decision. One notable instance: A woman brings in a jeweled brooch in the shape of a spider, hoping to get $2,000 for it. Rick refuses that price… because “I have a conscience”. The brooch is an authentic Faberge piece which he offers her $15,000 for. She tries to haggle him up to $17,000.
Rick: This is why I hate having a conscience…
* In another instance, a woman came into the shop with a classic Japanese musical monkey toy in mint condition. She did not know what it was worth, and was ready to sell it for $100. The Old Man insists on giving her $150 because he doesn’t want her to be taken advantage of.”
(taken from: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PawnStars)
I remember both of these episodes. If the customers were being robbed blind, would they have not taken what the customer wanted for the item? Please condemn their actions based on the “facts” you have uncovered in this piece.
Brian
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3:39 pm
As I was reading this article about pawn stars I thought it was a joke. Then I realized google had sent me to some crazy right wing, ultra-conservative crazy babble. And to say the harrisons low ball people who come into their BUSINESS and in actualty they are fair. Tjen to praise the pickers who go on peoples property uninvited amd really low ball people. People with views like yours are everything that is wrong with our society and country.
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9:11 pm
Typical, religious propaganda. Horrible. god doesn’t exist, get over it. It’s 2011, people can have tattoos and not “look like mobsters.”
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11:04 am
“…Up all night at expensive discos” What decade are you living in?
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