This is a fun show to watch although it may not represent a typical pawnshop. Apparently the format was tweaked by the producers to showcase the more exotic items that come into the pawn shop which are not typical of a run of the mill pawnbroker’s operation. A typical operation loans money on ordinary items like watches and jewelry. This series however showcases a never ending stream of people bringing in some of the most fascinating and exotic items one can image.
Background and Stars
Rick Harrison and his father Richard, known as the Old Man, are the original co-owners and started the shop in 1988 but it was Rick’s idea to try to sell the idea of a TV series filmed around their operation, which of course eventually happened. Although there are about 30 employees involved in the operation of the shop, the action surrounds Rick, his Corey who is being groomed to take over the shop, and Corey’s childhood friend known as Chumlee (Austin Russell) who’s worked in the store for a few years.
Chumlee, an overweight young man with a sad looking face is the butt of many jokes and insults about his supposed lack of intelligence. Rick is sometimes seen trying to educate him on various artifacts brought into the store since the only items he appears to have any knowledge about are pinball machines and basketball shoes. The producers have obviously tagged Chumlee to provide the comic aspect of the show.
Part of the attraction of the show is the interactions and arguments provided by these individuals as they work with each other. Corey and his father Rick are at odds sometimes when Rick thinks his son has paid too much for an item, such as a boat, which he believes they will have trouble selling. In the case of the boat, it was taken to an expert who restored it to a pristine condition for a reasonable price so that they made a nice profit and Corey was vindicated.
Not a Typical Pawn Shop
Although a pawn shop will make loans and hold merchandise as collateral and buy some items, most of the individuals filmed for the series want to sell their items outright. Toward that end the staff is seen negotiating with the customers on price. It’s surprising how much they know about a variety of pieces and values. Rick is quite impressive when he is are able to give a little history lesson to a customer about a piece that's been brought in. When his knowledge on any item is rather shallow, an expert is brought in for an evaluation.
This is another aspect that’s entertaining but probably not something that happens in an ordinary operation. A squad of 15 or more experts is available for Rick and the others to call upon for advice on any particular item. Each has his or her own field of expertise. We watch as an expert is brought in to evaluate a piece and carefully examines it then declares its authenticity and value. Sometimes the expert just states it’s a worthless reproduction and the cameras don’t miss this opportunity for a close shot of the customer and some serious jaw tightening.
Anything and everything comes to the doors of this pawn shop open 24 hours a day in Las Vegas Nevada. Cars, truck, boats, old guns, coins, toys, old letters signed by former presidents, old photographs, signed guitars, items that belonged to famous personalities, and many other items are brought in from a variety of people. Their reasons for coming to the shop range from needing money to just not having enough room to store the thing anymore.
Separate interviews are thrown in showing one of the staff members and a customer as each gives their analysis of a particular transaction and whether they were satisfied with the outcome. The typical customer wishes he or she would have gotten more and no wonder. Rick, the Old Man and the other staff members are quite reserved in what they pay out since they have to make a profit at resale. One wonders why some of these people come to a pawn shop to sell valuable pieces.
One individual actually hauled in a new original Shelby Cobra aluminum body he acquired. Surely this was a reproduction. This exotic car was built in the sixties by famed race car driver Caroll Shelby from aluminum bodies that were shipped to him from England. A new authentic body shell would have had some car enthusiasts fighting with each other to buy it. After Rick had an automobile expert look at it and verify that it was the real deal and not just a reproduction, the bargaining commenced until Rick made a final firm offer. The customer momentarily agonized over the offer before finally accepting it.
Well this is not your grandfather’s pawn shop. Rick has the wherewithal to have cars, motorcycles, boats, vending machines, and other items restored. He had the shell sent to a classic car restoration shop where it was fitted and built into a complete Shelby Cobra worth many thousands of dollars, a lot more than what he put into it.
As stated, this may not represent the operation of a typical pawn shop but one learns about the history of many old items which appear on the show; sees cars, motorcycles and old vending machines restored; and is entertained in the process.
Pawn Stars airs at 10 pm Mondays on the History channel.
