[vetvetdoug]

I hate this program. They rip people off right and left with their shtick. I guess that is what Pawn Shoppes are supposed to do though.

[caver]

I like the show. If people get ripped off, it’s their own fault.

[CAluvdubya]

A pawn shop is not an auction house. If folks want to get more money, they can always take their items elsewhere and get more for it, IMO. <p.They are in Vegas, baby! And they want cash....fast.

[Red Badger]

I love the show, and yes, they do seem to rip people off, but they are in business to make money, not be a charitable organization, as any business is. Car dealers are no different. The customer has the choice to walk out at any time. Buy low, sell high. It’s called capitalism..............

[pgkdan]

I’ve never seen anyone get ripped off. I’ve seen them negotiate on a price that both parties felt they could live with. The pawn stars are buying what they buy for resale. Their aim is to make a profit. You have a problem with people making a profit?

[Moonmad27]

I enjoy the show — and have bought several real jewelry bargains from them on my Vegas trips. They’re getting to be more an attraction than a pawn shop now though.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Actually, in their case they frequently bring in an expert to tell the seller what the item is actually worth, then present an offer that will leave them a profit, which is why they’re in business in the first place.

Often a customer comes in wanting to get, say, $300 for an item, but the expert appraisal indicates the item may be worth up to $5K. If the PS guys really wanted to “rip the seller off”, they would have agreed to buy the item for $300 and made an enormous killing.

[P-Marlowe]

I am a big fan of this show. If your idea of someone being ripped off by a pawnbroker means that the pawnbroker should only pay for an item what they could expect to sell it for, then your idea of economics is Marxist. IMO these guys are more than generous when they offer anything more than about 50% of the projected retail value. A lot of the time they offer more than 70% of what their experts tell them they can expect to sell it for. With their overhead that is not a very smart business practice.

These people are told up front what the pawnshop will be able to sell their items for. They choose to take the pawnshop's money. It is pure unfiltered capitalism. Only a communist could find it objectionable.

[TexasFreeper2009]

how are they ripping people off? they get an expert to tell the selling exactly what an item is worth... then they make them an offer for usually half of that to buy it from them, then and there with cash.

The seller, who now knows the real value of the item then chooses to sell it anyway for half it's worth, so they can get the money they need now to pay for their crack habit or whatever.

[Straight Vermonter]

They actually mention on the show that about 2/3 of the time they came come to a deal with sellers.

[GoMonster]

I like show...How do they rip people off. They help people. People need cash they give it or buy something. They can’t pay retail or they wouldn’t make a living. Dumb comment IMO

[NoGrayZone]

They have no “shtick”. No one is forced to walk through the doors and sell their belongings.

[jazminerose]

Oh good grief. It’s a business. Nobody forces people to come in & turn in their stuff. Only the government can do that.

Gee, maybe there should be more government regulation of pawn shops so nobody feels badly about his transaction.

Oh wait. That industry already is regulated to heck & back.

[Dixie Yooper]

I hate this program. They rip people off right and left with their shtick. I guess that is what Pawn Shoppes are supposed to do though.

Why is it alright for retailers to buy goods at wholesale prices and sell at a profit? If these poor people want the most the public is willing to pay for their item, they should sell it on Ebay. Pawn shops provide a service for people who have an item of value they are willing to part with and need cash right away.

[count-your-change]

Two people freely reaching an agreement. What’s to hate? Either can say no and walk away.

[mad_as_he$$]

I do not see anyone with a gun to their head. They could go to auction or Ebay or even craigslsit to sell their stuff. If an expert says $50,000 and the seller takes $500 who is the sucker?