Pawn Stars vs Hardcore Pawn: Which is your favorite?

Self | June 17, 2012 | Self

[bjorn14]

“Obviously available only in the US.”

Nope. I see it Norway on Discovery Europe.

[Baynative]

I like the ones where the guy buys a storage garage full of junk and then finally comes across an old box full of newly minted silver dollars, or a Picasso rolled up in the bottom drawer of a dresser.

[murron]

I like them both in different ways. Pawn Stars is more sedate and shows historical items. You can really pick up some interesting information on that show.

Hard Core Pawn is strictly entertainment. I do believe, not only on this show, but on most all reality shows, that the fighting and name-calling is staged for the show. If there was no fighting there would be no show.

[Krankor]

Wait a minute! Are you saying those towing shows aren’t real?

[murron]

I don’t know. I don’t watch those. But something tells me they are staged as well. I just found out that House Hunters was staged. Boy do I feel duped!

[MD Expat in PA]

I have no doubt that Pawn Stars is scripted and the exchanges are staged. I also don’t think that Chumlee is nearly as stupid as he’s portrayed to be. He serves as “comic relief” otherwise he’d be fired. I think that the sellers and the items are mostly real but I think they (the sellers of the most interesting items) come back into the store for filming. Otherwise the show would be boring.

I still like the show however as I find it educational. I like how they give the historical background of the item or the person associated with it and I like to see how the appraisers validate the item or prove it’s a fake. I also like how Rick schools people on what they think the item is worth and the reality of what it’s actually worth and or the difference between the price a pawn shop is going to pay for it vs. the “retail” price. For instance say an item has an appraised or has an estimated auction value of $2,000, the seller expects to get $2,000. Rick is very upfront that he’s in it to make a profit. He has overhead and the cost of carrying inventory and other expenses and often advises the seller to try to sell it himself and come back if that doesn’t work out.

[yorkie]

Good points, MD, and I agree. Even though some of the reality shows are scripted or staged - it is all entertainment, with some education (if you want to call it that.)

I enjoy both of the shows - and am amazed at what some people will do (and say) when they know they are being recorded.