Will ‘Pawn Stars’ bring in big bucks?
The stars of "Pawn Stars." Image from TV Tango.
Well, it was bound to happen eventually. The History Channel is starting its own reality series, “Pawn Stars.” So the History Channel is hoping to make money on a show about making money.
The show will feature three generations of “Pawn Stars,” a father, son, and grandson team who run a pawn shop in Las Vegas.
Historical angle
So why is “Pawn Stars” an appropriate choice for the History Channel? Well, pawn shops have been around since long before payday lending. In fact, Pop Matters says:
“(Pawn shops) served as the main form of credit in the United States until about 1950 and remains one of the oldest forms of banking.”
The show also incorporates “a genuine interest in historical artifacts.”
Get caught up with the Pawn Stars
The first episode of “Pawn Stars” aired last night, and Pop Matters gives a rundown of events from the first episode:
Richard Harrison (often simply called “the Old Man”) started his “Gold & Silver Pawn Shop” in 1988 after losing millions in real estate. He dresses, at least for the credits, as an underachieving mob boss and because of his poor eyesight (presumably) he squints [to] no end. Supposedly, he assesses the value of any piece of merchandise with remarkable exactitude (at least according to the press material) but in this episode he is exposed as having made a rather serious gaffe—he priced a Carson City coin worth roughly $500 at a mere $50 because he could not accurately read the back of the coin. His son (Rick) and grandson (Cory) finally convince him to visit the eye doctor but he insists on driving to the appointment!
The summary on Pop Matters also describes the three characters, Richard, Rick and Cory as “a real figure of real interest (Rick, but you knew that) book-ended by two caricatures.”
The business of secured short-term loans
People often compare pawn shops to short-term lenders because pawning possessions often is used in place of getting a short-term loan. Pawn shops, for some, are a preferable form of lending because getting a secured loan from a pawn shop doesn’t cost them any actual money, at least not at first.
For people who use pawn shops, trading items for cash is preferable to the possibility of owing money on a short-term loan, especially in the case of a person who will end up owing stiff late fees for defaulting on a loan. If a borrower defaults on a pawn shop loan, that person simply loses the merchandise that was pawned. Also, pawn shop loans often are for much smaller amounts than payday loans.
Tune in to Pawn Stars
“Pawn Stars” airs on the History Channel on Sunday nights at 10 p.m. Each episode features a new slew of wannabe borrowers looking to get top dollar for everything from rings to 19th-century cannons. As Monsters and Critics puts it:
“Everything and everyone has a story and it’s the Harrison family’s job to decipher fact from fiction, because in this business the customer isn’t always right.”
I would like to know if I could get married at the pawn shop in march 2010. Planning a small vegas wedding and this would be the greatest.
I really love the show and wish that we can buy some items online!! Do you think they will be able to do some online ordering in the future? I will one day hopefully go in that store and buy a Historic item and get all the employees autographs before I go. An Awesome show and I hope it never goes off the air!!! Reruns are great to watch as well because there are so many Historic items that are checked out by experts and it’s a great learning experience!
Sincerely
PETE G.
Your show is so funny. When you bought a 1914 $20.00 paper money for $850.00 you spent to high but if it was NGC20 or 30 Then you would made out. With out the NGC the 1914 would be worth about $100.00.
Your show is so funny. When you bought a 1914 $20.00 paper money for $850.00 you spent to high but if it was NGC20 or 30 Then you would made out. With the NGC the 1914 would be worth about $100.00.
The educational aspect of your show is quite interesting; but I especially enjoy the good natured banter between all you guys.
Louis
Hello,
I have to admit your show is quite entertaining, especially last night which involved the purchase of a boat without test driving it. I will be watching from now on so keep up the good tv work. I would like to see Chumley make some bid deals on his own and see what kind of hot water he gets himself in:)
Regards, Marc
Address…
Gold & Silver Pawn Shop
(702) 385-7912
713 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Rick! Great show! Love too even watch the re-runs, do more shows! Were waiting!
I found your show interesting but I too was disappointed when I saw the Vendo 39 Coke Machine swapped with another model. This made me wonder about how credible this show really is. Up until this point I was enjoying it. It was an insult to the viewers intelligence that this guy who supposedly restored the Coke machine in a weeks time when actually it wasn’t the same machine.
Come on guys! What’s up with that?
HEY RICK , UR CIGG COUGH IS NOT ONLY GOING 2 KILL U , ITS KILLING ME ALREADY ! UVE GOT 2 STOP SMOKING THOSE DISGUSTING THINGS ! I QUIT 40 YEARS AGO WITH NO PROBLEM . UVE GOT 2 LISTEN 2 URSELF WHAN U LAUGH , UR KILLING URSELF , QUIT NOW AND U JUST MAY HAVE A CHANCE !
ROADKING64 SAID THAT !
THIS SHOW IS SO COOL NEED ALOT MORE.NEED MORE CHUM & PEACHES SHOWS.GOOD TV
Where are you located in Vegas?
I would like to know where this pawn shop is located. Want to go there on our next trip to Vegas.
They must have noticed later that it was not the same machine. They should do a follow up in order to restore their own credibility. I know I will never buy anything at that pawn shop. You never know if it is a knock off. They get suckered by their own “experts”
Did the pawn shop sue that guy who switched out their coke machine with a fake reproduction or did the Pawn shop guys actually get duped and fall for it?
Funny episode. I cant watch the show anymore though. No credibility.
Does anybody know when the new season of Pawn Stars starts??
AND 2 THE OLD MAN , I LUV YA POPS !!!!!
WAITL U SEE MY 91 CADILLAC BROUGHAM DE ELEGANCE , SOLID BLACK WITH MOONROOF , DOUBLE TUFTED BUTTON LEATHER SEATS , ALL ORIGINAL WITH NOT A CRACK INSIDE ANYWHERE AND OUTSIDE IS AS NEW AS IT CAN B 4 A 91 ! CYA WHEN I CYA
YA GOT 1 HELLOFA SHOW AND SHOP !
ROADKING64 SAID THAT !
WHEN IS UR NEW SEASON GOING 2 START ? IM STILL WATCHING THE RERUNS AND STILL LUV EM ! CANT WAIT 2 MEET ALL OF U AND STILL WANT MY SIGNED T SHIRT BY ALL ! UR SHOW IS 1 OF THE BEST SHOWS ON T V . IVE WATCHED EVERY 1 SINCE U STARTED . YA NEED 2 GO BACK 2 1 HOUR SHOWS EVERY WEEK ! HEY RICK , UR CIGG COUGH IS GONA KILL U !! YA NEED 2 STOP SMOKING THOSE DISGUSTING THINGS ! HOPE 2 SEE ALL OF U SOON AS MY HOME SELLS . BIG HOSS , UR GONA LUV MY ROADKING BUT ITS NOT 4 SALE OR PAWN !!
ROADKING64 SAID THAT !
CHUMLY SNIFFED GLUE AND PAIN IN NEW MEXICO
ROADKING64 SAID THAT ! I STILL LUV Y CHUMLEY !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did Chumley eat a lot of lead paint or live under power lines?
UR SHOW IS THE BOMB !!!!!!!!!! I LUV IT !
NEVER MISS AN EPISODE , EVER , I EVEN WATCH THE REPEATS . LUV ALL U GUYS , U 2 CHUMLY , DONT LET EM RIDE U . UR THE STAR GUY OVER ALL EXCEPT 4 THE OLD MAN , HE ROCKS ! AS SOON AS MY HOME SELLS IM MOVING 2 AZA , ILL DETOUR 2 UR SHOP , IVE GOT 3 ITEMS ULL DROOL OVER . U NEED 2 BUY ALL 3
I WANT AN AUTOGRAPHED TSHIRT SIGNED BY ALL OF U , EVEN U PEACHES , THATS IF UR STILL THERE , UR ALWAYS LATE SO I DONT KNOW IF ULL STILL B THERE OR NOT , WAKE UP IN TIME 4 WORK !
ROADKING64 SAID THAT !
Hello Ricky and Mr. Harrison you guys never cease to amaze me, known you all for many year my sons think its a real COOL show. Keep amazing us all by your awesome knowledge can’t wait to see what you buy next keep up the good work. A long time friend
:)
Richard Harrison should not laugh. He sounds like he’s been smoking for 40 years. Terrible wheezing when he laughs.
I really enjoyed watching pawn stars on the history channel. It reminded me of my days working as a manager at the Mo Money Pawn shop in Augusta, GA. I enjoyed working there because you meet interesting people and see interesting things. I have always been involved with the flea market so working there is very similiar. This show says it like it is. It is a service to the community since everyone cannot get a loan and most financial institutions do not make small loan amounts anyways. I would love to own a pawn shop some day
I saw on one of your episodes a 2006 Yamaha Yz250. Do you still have this and how can I check out you inventory of bikes. I’am from California and go to Vegas to see family. Would love to find a dirt bike in the $2,000 price ranges.
Love the show.
Ryan
Love the show. Trying to find out your location. We are going to Vegas this week, have a son in the USAF at Creech. He is a pilot. Do you buy any gemstone jewelry? If so, I may bring some. They have all been appraised!
NEVER MISS UR SHOW ! U GUYS ROCK ESPECIALLY THE OLD MAN IN THE BLACK CADDY
IVE GOT A 91 BROUGHAM DE ELEGANCE WITH 112,000 ORIGINAL ,MILES . ALL BLACK WITH MOON ROOF AND DOUBLE TUFTED LEATHER LIKE NEW INSIDE AND OUT . WHEN MY HOME SELLS IM MUVING 2 AZ AND ILL STOP BY 4 AN AUTOGRAPHED SHIRT FROM THE OLD MAN . LUV ALL U GUYS , EVEN U CHUMLY !
I WATCH THE SHOW EVERY WEEK AND HAVE SEEN EVERY EPISODE . I CANT WAIT 4 THE NEXT WEEKS SHOWS , I LUV THIS SHOW !
ROADKING64 SAID THAT !
Love the show and never miss it! Buddy of mine went to the shop today and bought a t-shirt for me. The Old Man (Richard) was there and autographed it for me.
Pawn Stars rocks! All you haters go back to american idol or big brother or what ever dumb show you watch.. lol
Tim
We were watching your show and you featured a Coke machine that a “buddy” restored for your business. Can we find out who this person or business is so we may contact him as we have a vintage machine we need a part for.
Thank you.
P.S. Enjoy your show!!
DO YOU WANT TO BE FEATURED ON THE HISTORY CHANNEL?
What interesting items do you have at home collecting dust and are looking to sell??
History’s Hit New Series Pawn Stars is giving you the opportunity to tell us about an item that you’re looking to sell!!!
If you have an interesting item that you want to pawn or sell, we want to learn about it!
Contact us at pawnstarstvshow@gmail.com with a picture of the item along with its description and any unique stories or history behind it. The more you can tell us about it, the better.
Please include your name, daytime phone number, and email address so we can contact you.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
THE PAWN STAR$
what streets is the pawn stars shop on?
HI THERE EVERYONE..
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY , I ENJOY YOUR TV SHOW VERY COOL!!
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU DO BUSINESS ONLINE, OR BY PHONE,, WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR ARE; BASS GUITARS,,, KRAMER ALUMINUM NECK BASSES. IT’S THE BASS THAT HAS AN ALUMINUM FORK HEAD..
WHAT EVER MODEL YOU HAVE , WE’LL
DO BUSINESS WITH .. THANKS ALOT, PETER
LOOKING FOR AN ATARI 2600 WITH AT LEAST 25
GAMES, AND ALL THE PARTS IN GOOD CONDITION.
Gentleman,
Have enjoyed your first couple of episodes of Pawn Stars! I find it interesting and entertaining! My wife and I go to Las Vegas once or twice a year, not for the gaming but to browse all the Pawn Shops! Keep up the good work and continued success with you show!
Regards,
Lloyd (From Jamul, CA)
Saw the first two episodes. The aired back-to-back. Won’t be watching it again.