Pawn Stars -- Question for the Locals

[The Ponzzz]

So, some of my favorite shows on TV are on History. But I read a lot about how scripted and fake the interactions are on Pawn Stars, it's really detouring me from wanting to watch it much. I also like History's American Pickers, A&E's Storage Wars, and Spike TV's Auction Hunters. But I had someone I know actually get on Auction Hunters and stated the entire thing was staged and that they never bought anything from them even though the show indicates the transaction took place. So I stopped watching that one all together. But I still watch the other shows.

Anyway, was curious if anyone in the Las Vegas area has gone to their location (Gold and Silver Pawnshop) and checked the place out. It's clearly a legit business, just pretty sad that the TV show isn't that legit. Just wondering about anyone's experiences with the place.

[snobird]

I have been there and it's neat to see but there is always long lines to get in the shop. The scenes you see on TV are when the shop is closed down, If someone brings in a interesting item they ask them to come back and they let some people in to make the shop look crowded during filming.

On the inside the people on TV are usually not there or are in the back except for chum which he is usually up front. I did buy a magnet from there and they also have shirts for sale as well.

[wendy]

They were filming when we were there in October. The line up didn't start until after we were in the store. Then there was lots of yelling about "don't look in the camera. Just look around!!" People seemed to really get off on "being there while they filmed". We were bored before they even started so we left. There was a few interesting things to look at but I've never even really watched the show.

[DrJ898]

Wow. Yeah just like Ponzzz, I'm a big fan of those shows too and always wondered the same thing. Don't look at me though, ponzzz, i'm an east coast guy too!

[Georgiagambler]

I just came back from Vegas, didn't make it to the pawn shop but I thought it was interesting that the local news was doing a story on how a lot of people were doing there Christmas shopping there.

[LAURIEK1]

I like those shows too. I have been to the Pawn Shop twice on trips to LV. It's a lot smaller than it looks on TV. I wasn't that impressed with the inventory but did see some things from the show. The main guys aren't there that much anymore. I saw Chumlee and The Old Man. Mostly they have Pawn Stars souvenirs for sale.

[PopsOLA]

The place is not really a very good PAWN SHOP anymore. Usually you get good deals at Pawn Shops but I saw a LCD TV, probably 24-27"... selling for $350. I am pretty confident you can get a top of the line 27" for that price. The prices are outragous and you can tell they have inflated them just because they can.

When we went -- none of the cast was there. 75% of the shop was souveniers. The rest was overpriced crap.

I guess I sorta expected that. The workers were very nice and one lady said they get thousands and thousands of people that just walk through daily.

Oh ya, No line at all when I went.

[treyster]

Been there twice. Just about everything on TV is scripted, Pawn Stars is not what it appears on TV. Everything is overpriced at that store. I still enjoy watching the show even though I know it's scripted.

[onenickelmiracle]

One thing I noticed is the show always has a breast shot every episode. I like Hardcore Pawn too, but would never go there(too scared). No matter how much I watch these shows, I don't feel I can be as good a negotiator as them.

[Iceman33]

ofcourse its fake and scripted its TV ! remember about 70% of what you see and read on tv and newspapers is BS they have to do this to make our life more meaningfull . pawnstars is the farthest thing from reality but i still like the aspect of the show and enjoy the characters