"Hardcore Pawn" - Anyone Watching?

Anyone watch this show? I've seen a few, and it shows a very different side of the pawn store than the "Pawn Stars" show. The PS show seems to show people generally in a decent light. Some stupid people coming in, maybe some scam artists, some people who have a gambling issue who are looking for cash to blow, but generally decent people. This "Hardcore Pawn" ripoff though, wow.. the store owner looks like a dimestore sleezebag, but I have to admit overall he's seemed to be pretty fair with people. His kids are just ******** all around. The prices for pawn they give people seem really low though. HC is set in Detroit, and some of the people come in are downright dregs of society. Really scuzzy people, who make entitlement demands of how much they are going to be paid for what they bring in, often getting tossed out on their asses, sometimes getting violent, in general just really pieces of trash. I'm sure the Detroit Chamber of Commerce is loving the light that this show is putting on their city.

I just watched the trailer for this show and I'm already hooked hahahahaha it's awesome

I've watched it. Hardcore Pawn kinda leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I find that - unlike Pawn Stars - it takes advantage of the customers and does show them in a bad light. In fact, the show revels in the more crazy customers and those interactions.

I hate to say that I sympathise with the people that show up on HCP, but... it really seems that, at the very least, the TV camera's are taking advantage of some of these folks (not saying American Jewelry & Loan is).

I prefer Pawn Stars.

I'm actually friends with some of the people who film that show and they said some of the people who show up there are ridiculous.

Alright show, which is on it's 3rd season now I believe. Much different than Pawn Stars, more "real life", less best of the crap that comes through the doors....

dbalschi said:

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I'm actually friends with some of the people who film that show and they said some of the people who show up there are ridiculous.

I think that is probably being too kind. Some of the people who show up seem to be worthless scum.

Yeah the producers literally littered the area with flyers about being on a reality show and how to be cast on it

Ive been watching the past two seasons. Its decent but sometimes Les and his kids, especially the daughter get on my nerves so much.

Pawn Stars is still my favorite but lately almost everything that comes in is a setup by the producers and when the employees do stuff among themselves its getting to the point where its too scripted

I've seen the commercials and man this place and the owner look so sleezy you need to boil yourself to get the scum off. Then again I don't think it's exactly a classy area it's in either.

JD said:

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I've watched it. Hardcore Pawn kinda leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I find that - unlike Pawn Stars - it takes advantage of the customers and does show them in a bad light. In fact, the show revels in the more crazy customers and those interactions.

I hate to say that I sympathise with the people that show up on HCP, but... it really seems that, at the very least, the TV camera's are taking advantage of some of these folks (not saying American Jewelry & Loan is).

I prefer Pawn Stars.

Are you talking about the same show? Les & Co. are running a legitimate business, and if you know anything about the pawn biz, his interest rates and terms are super fair. I was born and raised in Detroit, but no longer live there. It was bad when I left and so much worse now. So much of the clientele in that shop are scum bag garbage. I would want to shoot most of them by the end of the day. Kudos to that family making a living where they do.
Pawn stars is more informative regarding collectibles, but most of us are tuned into HC pawn to see the circus.

Robot said:

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Are you talking about the same show? Les & Co. are running a legitimate business, and if you know anything about the pawn biz, his interest rates and terms are super fair. I was born and raised in Detroit, but no longer live there. It was bad when I left and so much worse now. So much of the clientele in that shop are scum bag garbage. I would want to shoot most of them by the end of the day. Kudos to that family making a living where they do.
Pawn stars is more informative regarding collectibles, but most of us are tuned into HC pawn to see the circus.

Born raised south of 8 Mile myself - still work south of 8 Mile as a firefighter/EMT; I've seen the city at its best and its worst. I'm not talking about American Jewelry & Loan as much as I'm talking about the TV Production company...

Robot said:

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Are you talking about the same show? Les & Co. are running a legitimate business, and if you know anything about the pawn biz, his interest rates and terms are super fair. I was born and raised in Detroit, but no longer live there. It was bad when I left and so much worse now. So much of the clientele in that shop are scum bag garbage. I would want to shoot most of them by the end of the day. Kudos to that family making a living where they do.
Pawn stars is more informative regarding collectibles, but most of us are tuned into HC pawn to see the circus.

I don't know that they ever mentioned their interest rates and stuff, but I don't think I've ever seen them pay more than $100 for anything brought in. Even jewelry they seem to give pennies on the dollar at best. Now I understand that where they are has a depressed economy, worse than many places, but even on the gold and silver items they seem to give nothing for it.

And I'm sorry, Les DOES look like a slimebag. He looks the part of a sleezy pawn shop owner. He SEEMS to be fair, with the exception of really lowballing value of stuff coming in, but I agree that I feel a little dirty watching him and Detroit's 'finest' people.

really seems too staged to me. Similar to Pawn stars when someone comes in and there happens to be no one around them doing a deal. The " security " is really laughable and when the people get mad, they seem really restrained.

-James

asemblyrequired said:

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really seems too staged to me. Similar to Pawn stars when someone comes in and there happens to be no one around them doing a deal. The " security " is really laughable and when the people get mad, they seem really restrained.

-James

I've been reading Rick Harrison's book and he's pretty upfront and honest about Pawn Stars being somewhat staged as due to laws made to govern Pawn shops, he and the main cast can't really deal in actual pawn dealings due to their fame. (He explained it better in the book).

I've watched HP, I really hope its staged because of the amount of scum that walks in there but I doubt it. Sure he lowballs people most of the time, but thats how business works.

I loathe reality TV.

^ now that is classy lol. The pawn shops in Youngstown aren't much better. We have one local one that is okay but usually none of them are super high class places.

I am from the metro detroit area. HCP is NOT staged, I was there 2 weeks ago and the place indoor and out is a fraking dump. I go downtown all the time. I have never been scared in the city before. This place made me want to get a CCW before I go there again.

I was looking at some rings and a 10-12 yr old told me to get the F out of his way. I said what? And what looked to be his mom said " he done told ya to get da F##k out hiz way"

Parts of HCP are definitely staged. The friends that I have who work on it have told me countless stories about people who they have sent there and what they told them to say and do.

I guess parts could be. But when I was there, it is safe to say half the people are nuts

i can't stand this show. i love pawn stars becuase you learn about rare and historic stuff with some comedy relief. HCP has just a hateful feel to it........

I watch occasionally, Low and I mean lowbrow all the way!!!!!!!!!

mrbungle said:

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i can't stand this show. i love pawn stars becuase you learn about rare and historic stuff with some comedy relief. HCP has just a hateful feel to it........

PS is staged alot but I do not mind. The HC is one of my favorite stations. And you learn things. But I have been told, if yoy do not have an item to sell or buy. You need to pay to get in the shop. I guess I will find out for sure when I go to vegas in two weeks

yeah, i know it is staged just like the tattoo shows. i don't watch them either because it is like being at work.