Pawn Stars.

thefader

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Is Pawn Stars to blame for some of the prices on arcade games lately? I saw the Episode where they paid 150$ for the Pac-man machine, and said.. WE RIPPED THIS GUY OFF ITS ACTUALLY WORTH 1200$!
 
makes you wonder if all the shit they buy is really not worth very much. In particular what they say it's worth at least.
 
On a related note, I'm hoping to visit their shop next week. I've heard that it's a disappointment for some fans of the show, not only because none of the 4 main guys are generally there, but there have been huge crowds as well. Others have seen one or two of the guys around the shop. In fact, I recall a member here had his picture taken with them when he was there. Maybe that was before the show gained even more popularity.
 
I have a friend that lives in Vegas. He said there is a Velvet Rope set up outside, and usually over an hour wait to get in the door. Ill see if I can find some pictures he took.
 
Found it. Here is one of the shots he sent. Haha.
 

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Found it. Here is one of the shots he sent. Haha.
Hehe that's the kind of thing I'm hoping not to see. I'll be in Vegas during the week so I figure my best bet would be to go in the morning like Tuesday or Wednesday. If I can go inside the place for a few minutes without waiting for an hour it would be worth it.
 
I have a friend that lives in Vegas. He said there is a Velvet Rope set up outside, and usually over an hour wait to get in the door. Ill see if I can find some pictures he took.

An hour wait for a crappy pawn shop? Oh hell no! I wouldn't waste my time.

To the original question. I think shows like this, ebay listings and retail listings all make uneducated sellers list their items for high prices. Actually if the pawn shop owners have the game shopped out and restored. Or if it's already in really nice condition and they have it went through by a professional tech then I'd say $1200 is a reasonable retail price for a pac. No one here would pay that but there are people that do. Ask Anthony of Quarter arcade and Todd of TNT. If the games didn't sell at the prices they offer, they would drop the prices. Sure the games don't go flying out the door but they do sell. On the flip side I think the seller probably didn't get robbed although a pac is generally worth more than $150.

But yeah the uneducated seller does not have a clue that their machine is not worth top dollar. Nor do they know why or the differences between what they are selling and what a reputable retailer will be selling.
 
The show isn't exactly reality.. the sales and buys and prices they show are sometimes (often?) created for the show..
 
Hehe that's the kind of thing I'm hoping not to see. I'll be in Vegas during the week so I figure my best bet would be to go in the morning like Tuesday or Wednesday. If I can go inside the place for a few minutes without waiting for an hour it would be worth it.
Go at like 3:00 a.m. in the morning, I bet you wouldn't wait long then...
 
I was in Vegas 2 weeks ago and got the scoop on this place from a cabbie. He said they film the show on Sundays so thats when Rick, Big hoss and Chumlee are there, so thats the day to go. Also they say their open 24 hours a day but its not true, they close at 8pm! lol And yeah alot of the shit on the show is made up and just for Tv!
 
I went there on a Sunday back in June and was told they only work during the week.
 
The back story on the pinball episode, very interesting:

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.pinball/msg/c2888ef5dee66320?
Very interesting read. I'm kinda surprised the pawn shop didn't say who they were...it would make almost anyone take the free publicity/advertising. I'm sure any of us who saw that pinball episode called BS right away as far as the price. For the average Joe, they wouldn't know any better. That thread reminds me...I need to ask my co-worker about the Pinball HoF before the end of the week. He's friends with Tim Arnold and that place is on my list of things I want to see in Vegas.
 
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Personally, I like the show, but yes, it seems staged and at times it's ridiculously obvious that it's staged.

The "old man" is the weakest part of the show. He's only 68 years old and acts like he's 98. His "Oh My God" reactions stopped being funny long ago.

Whenever the Chumlee character begins to say anything intelligent they immediately shut him up in order for him to remain the "Stupid Guy". Some of the lines he drops are clearly scripted. Supposedly he is really into pinballs.

I'd guess these guys only spend time there when the show is filmed and the people that bring in interesting stuff are scheduled ahead of time. They probably have other staff working during regular hours. The show is making them a lot of money so why bother to deal with nickle and dime pawn deals?

I've heard the place is going to be expanded a la "American Chopper"...
 
It's Antiques Road Show for a blue collar audience ;) That show's been on forever and it still seems to get an audience. The pawn guys might end up with a really long run out of this..

Leaping off topic... I do think the history channel needs to be renamed something more appropriate these days like. Spike TV lite, or Reality Central, something like that.

- James
 
Any sales prices quoted at pawn shops are always way over the line, in my experience. Around here the tags are priced to the moon, I figure that they expect people will haggle on prices with them or something.
 
It's Antiques Road Show for a blue collar audience ;) That show's been on forever and it still seems to get an audience. The pawn guys might end up with a really long run out of this..

Leaping off topic... I do think the history channel needs to be renamed something more appropriate these days like. Spike TV lite, or Reality Central, something like that.

- James

Besides the class of people, the big difference between those shows is that the Pawn guys actually buy the items.

The Pawn Stars spin off, American Restoration, is interesting at times but the estimates of what stuff is worth after restoration seems inflated at times.
 
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