Anyone see Craig Gottlieb on tonights pawn stars? He was giving an estimate on a winchester rifle supposedly owned by one of the Hatfield men.
Just wondering how the producers contacted Craig for this episode? OK, Graig let us in your secret, by the way great advertising. Wish I could get that type of advertising for my hotel buys, would make things a lot easier.
Thanks,
Bob

Bob: I'm the new weapons and militaria guy for the show. I've filmed many episodes, and am going to Vegas to do more of them tomorrow. As to how I got on, I got referred by a colleague in LA. It's a lot of fun, especially because the cast and crew are so cool. They are really a great bunch of guys and girls.

Craig,
I do not blame you, the more tv, radio, newpapers you are in, the better the advertising. As we all know so well, the stuff is getting harder to find. My buys have slowed down, I do get lucky once in a while, but Iam addicted to the hotel buys. Just like Rick on Pawn Stars always says, "you never know what is going to walk thru the door", I never know what will walk into my buys. You just need the right person to see the ad and decide this is the day he is going to sell.Craig, the more you put your self out there either in front of the cameras or newspaper ads, your chances increase that you will get lucky.
Thanks
Bob

Seems quite possible they make freak out when/if they discover Craigs heavy TR tilt.
I saw one episode when something TR came in, I forgot what it was - Rick said he was creeped out by TR, and didn't want to but anything associated with it.
[I have a hard time believing that. Probably just doesn't want to risk any stigma].
We are talking about pawn stars, right ? Cause I remember seeing Craig on that weak auction hunters show some time back.
Used to like pawn stars, getting a but repetitive now, and the guys may be cool and all, I find them more and more annoying to watch.
His constant refrain of "gotta make money ! gotta make a profit ! I got bills to pay, gotta make money !" is getting old, like yeah Rick, you're the only one who likes to make a profit and has bills to pay !
The guy is a chronic low baller as well, may be typical for the pawn industry I'm sure ,, But I see him as more or less a vulture and is getting worse and worse, I sure wouldn't want to earn a living that way. I'd turn right around and walk out if he insulted me with one of his ridiculous offers.
But good luck Craig, hope the bottom don't fall out on ya there.

Pawn brokers will offer you a price on what ever you want to sell or pawn. And that's it you either take it or leave it. It is poor busniess and does not benifit them to some long drawn out barter process.

Didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday, I am well aware how it works.
Doesn't mean that I have to like or accept it - And anyways, I have never pawned anything in my life, hopefully never will.
I'd consider donating my item to the salvation army for a tax writeoff before I let these greedy shysters ******** my blood.

I can't understood why these people pawn stuff off. The absolute love of money and greed is apparent on both sides. I've always wondered if the expert opinion was waiting outside for the ones that walked away.

I could never understand why you would bring a really valuble item to a pawn shop. You have e-bay, auction houses who deal in some of these valuable items, or just find a serious collector, that cannot be that hard to find.
But then again the show is probably scripted ahead of time, who wants to see just run of the mill stuff.
The american pickers were here in Michigan a year ago, I met the person they went to see in Howell, mich. He told me that they flew in , there truck was brought in by a semi along with the camera crew. Most of the show was scripted ahead of time. Even the crew got to buy items from this guy after the show was filmed.
Thanks
Bob
Thanks,
Bob

Yep, these shows are of course heavily scripted.
Easy to tell, when they go to someones house to look at something, and it shows the people from inside opening the door, meeting them "for the first time". I think alot of it is just people hoping to get on TV ,,, But I agree, people should do more research and explore their options before taking it to lowballing jackals like that.
I saw Chumley at an auto show, he had a crowd of about 2 people around him. There were some hot car model girls right behind him, everyone was pretty much oogling over them and ignoring old chum, and he looked distressed. I thought about going over to say hi just to be nice, but really didn't have anything to say to or ask the guy.

Pickers have bored me to tears, I've about given up watching them. They try too hard to be funny, actually funny people don't have to try, they are. Their unbridled greed also turns me away, just like the pawn guys. Half the recent shows I have seen seem to be themed around their heavily tattooed helper lady, and since I think shes a dog, I reach for the channel changer pretty quick.

I agree, the only reason in this day & age of the internet to bring in a valuable item to a pawn shop to sell would be quick cash. I laughed my self silly during the expert of experts (he even knows about vintage firearms not owned by celebrity nazis) segment with the cocaine powder being applied to high light to imaginary engraving.

- drug addicts and degenerate gamblers,,,that's mostly what you see on 'Pawn Stars' and 'Hardcore Pawn'...

Hardcore Pawn in Detroit is the funniest. The drug addicts actually come in and 'tell him' what he better give them... I wouldn't last a day there before I put a bullet right thru their,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Garpare,I live in the Detroit metro area, well actually 65 miles outside Detroit. I know exactly where the "hardcore pawn shop " is at. You better be packing if you go into that neighborhood. You see the type of people that they deal with, some real wackos. I watch it once in a while, I never see anything of real value walk in. If anyone ever walked in with a rare antique gun, everyone would duck under the counter.There are three casinos in Detroit, so that is why some of those people are in there.Iam sure the owner has had more then one fight with those crazies. But then again iam sure a lot of it is scripted.
Thanks
Bob

I've been to the American Jewelry and Loan (Hardcore Pawn place) a 4-5 times. Its on Greenfield just off 8 Mile not the greatest of areas but it is the Westside of town not the completely devastated Eastside, so I feel a bit more comfortable going there. Until they move Downtown which is very safe you gotta be careful going there. I have tried to get Les and Seth to contact me if they get any good militaria but they don't often. Its interesting to see how absolutely slow they are when there is no cameras rolling. lol

Pawn shops are places that pay "quick cash" at their own "highest prices paid'. Those who are in dire need of cash do not realize thats all their going to get,, and its a last minute pay house. its funny to watch these characters on TV and in real life come into these places and expect a big payout. For some of the financially unfortunate ,, there are no other alternatives than these places,, and for those who know that hey can do better someplace else but are too lazy or inpatient,,come into the pawn shops and try to bargain with the owners. Unless it benefits the owners they really dont give a crap if they get the item or not. One thing is for sure though.....pawn shops have some good stuff if you really know what you are looking for,, especially around the casino areas.

Learned a long time ago the three balls outside a pawn shop means 1/3 value or less. S.Fl. is full of them I use to stop in them and found zero.

When I first retired I did the round of pawn shops in the Raleigh area and found nothing as far as military collectibles, knowledge thereof, or interest therein. I see them as a last resort loan service or more probably an outlet for low grade stolen goods. Sorry for the negative opinion, but that's my take.

I've seen the program in question and "tightly scripted" does not begin to cover it. Grumpy old man, knowledgeable son, and two children learning the trade. Potential sellers get filmed in the parking lot, experts take less than 120 seconds to opine. To make it interesting, they have guys with dumb stories and worse goods and the very occasional instance where the expert says its worth more than expected. The key point is when something decent is scripted to be brought in, the lead guy says "and what were you expecting to get for this, Sir?"

I'm tempted to take my minty tiger striped SA to a local pawn shop, just to see if these guys have the 1st clue about this type of stuff.
If they offer anything under $500, I'll know they are either clueless, scammers or clueless scammers [this could easily be resold $800-$1,200]
Wonder if they'll call in a renowned expert ?? What would you say for this one if Rick asked ya, Craig ?

Thats a sweet SA Doug,, but since it would be going through a third party for an opinion,, im sure there will be a kick back somewhere,, and your asking price will not come close to what they offer you. It would be entertaining though to hear what they would say Larry

Take it to a motel buy, Sky. I did that a few times years ago. When the guy asks what you want for it, ask what is it worth.

Dave

Not looking to offload it, if I was I'd have an ad up here, then we'd really find out its market value.
I am going to take it up to a pawn shop though out of complete curiously, I'll post back with the results here.
A genuine Detroit pawnshop too, not the one on 8 mile.
I'm prepared for an offer as low as $50, at which I wouldn't be able to contain my laughter. Since I'm not really going to sell it, I wouldn't feel insulted and get mad. To be fair to the pawnsters, I think its safe to say that most people wouldn't have the first clue how to fairly evaluate something like this ... Which is why that Rick guy always calls in "experts".
Of course, the average pawn shop owner without a hit TV show doesn't have the resources to do this.

For all the years this show has been on the tube,I can probably count on one hand the times items have actually been pawned.But the name "Trift shop" or "Second-hand store" just doesn't sound as good as "Pawn Stars".And it's no coincidence the name sounds like Porn Stars,since they they both want to **** you!
To use a pawn shop to obtain money for an item that will be reclaimed at a future date can be a worthy use.To use a pawn shop to sell an item is nuts,unless it's stolen or your ex wifes/husbands/girl or boy friends and you just want to sell it for spite.
Any way,congrats to Craig for landing the job.

Doug,
Overall beautiful SA, but one of the nicest handles I've ever seen.

Rich

Thanks, a keeper for sure.
I posted a thread about it some time back
http://phpstack-500133-1583587.cloudwaysapps.com/ubbthread...0574#Post230574

About the only TR item I have worth bragging about, I got it from none other than Patrice some years back.

I dont know how much of the Hardcore Pawn series is scripted, but what I do know is that at least some of the customers who get on camera are wearing wireless microphone transmitters. I am a professional singer and musician and I am familiar with wireless mics etc. And I have seen at least three obvious instances of customers wearing them when they turn around. They are worn usually on the rear of a belt or pants top (clip on) and have a small black antenna sticking up or hanging down. Unmistakable to me as I use one too. One of the customers who had one on was actually being "escorted" out of the store by security as she was hurling insults and threats etc back at the owner. Obviously they put it and the tiny lavalier mic that works with it on prior to entering the store, and then remove it outside and not on camera. The only other way that the voice recording could be so clear and audible of all the participants would be to use very sensitive camera mounted or boom mounted mics, but then background noises and the chatter of other people etc would bleed through far too much. I deal with live situations like this in performing and we call it "close miking and bleed through".

As for Pawn Stars, what I hate to see is the firing of antique weapons (i.e. pre 1900) which any gunsmith or collector knows is a very bad idea both for the value of the gun and for safety reasons. I would think that a visual inspection is not enough, barrels and breaches as old as those need to be xrayed as well ? if one intended to fire it.

My 66 year old gunsmith friend calls the Pawn Star people "idiots" when they do that, as internal parts can be damaged and old wood stocks can crack too from being dry and brittle etc even with the reduced loads. But he still likes to watch the show anyway. And please stop touching the blades with their hands that drives me bats.

I know some of the behind the scenes people on the Pawn Stars. And all of them have told me the show is heavily scripted. Remember the episode when someone came off the street with a WWI Marine helmet? And they had the Las Vegas museum curator come in and validate it. Guess what that was his own helmet from his own collection. That curator used to be the San Luis Obispo CA museum curator and is well known among area collectors here where I live at.

All of these shows are scripted...especially the ones where there is turmoil...there are camera men present for crying out loud...storage wars is funny...they create drama and turmoil and the audience is expected to think it is all spontaneous and live action "as it happens" how likely are you to "get in someone's face" with cameras pointing at you, 5 feet or less from your face??.......fun to watch though...cheers

I am burnt on reality shows, and I hardly even watch any TV period ,,, But the theme of greed, making a buck at any cost, particularly drives me away. The "man against nature" theme likewise is stale, and the alligator hunters I can't even watch - If one of those guys got ate, then I'd watch it. Crab hunters, you seen a few, you basically have seen them all - And from what I have seen, their new "outlaw bikers" show is a total joke, especially to one who has an outlaw biker background.
I don't know, just seems to me that they have reached the saturation point with this crap.
I used to like that show where they'd cherry out a guys old ride over night and surprise the crap out of him 2 days later, I sure wish someone would do that to my ride sitting in the garage.

Remember when the History Channel was about history?
The Discovery Channel was about nature & learning?
A&E was about Arts & Entertainment?

They are all after ratings so I guess this tells us something about the intelligence and tastes of the average American TV-watcher!

Denny,

You are correct sir!

Best!

Bill

Denny, Pawn Stars gives a little history on items that come in so it's considered a History show, haha

Those guys on Pawn Stars are for SURE in it to make money. I know, its their business, but who is worse them or the people bringing it in!
An "idi...customer" could bring in a brand new $100 bill and...
Rick from Pawn Stars "I don't know, the market for these has gone down. I really have no use for these... It would take up shelf space...I will give you $20 bucks for it. O.K., $25 but that is the highest I will go."

customer "ok, sounds good."

Granted, that deal has never happened but we all know it goes like that. Next time I am in Vegas, I just want to stand out in their parking lot and try to net those people before its too late. I would pay at least $50 for that hundy.

Anybody notice that when their "experts" pitch up, they are only identified by their first name? Jon, Drew, Trace, etc, etc.

Cannot be much of a knowledgeable person who would not want their full name mentioned.

Confirms my thoughts that this is a comedy, minus the laugh tracks.

Dave

It is still a fun show to watch eventhough it is a complete comedy.

Since Hillbilly Handfishin' came on the air, I've stopped watching this other junk.

Oh wait! I forgot about the idiot with the missing front teeth who catches Raccoons with his bare hands!

Mankind has evolved to it's zenith!

Pat - Only the first 25 times

The mark announces the strategy in the parking lot. Walks in. Were the Munsters listening ?

Nick(?) or his Son(?) hears the guys pitch

Pappa Munster mumbles something.

Nick/Son says "I got costs/salaries/overhead/ads and I gotta make a profit*"

The young guy with the long hair says something inane.

The expert .. only first name supplied walks in. The mark never ask about credentials.

Next mark announces their strategy in the parking lot.

Dave

* Does that remind you of the Motel buyer's screed ??

Catch another "me" episode on July 2nd - it's called "Stuff It." No jokes!

I noticed you were on American Restorations last week looking at a French 1777 musket. I just traded one for a high end Japanese sword.

Craig,
I will be watching for you. Just out of my own curosity, do you have any idea what the producers pay the foursome who run the pawn shop?? I know that Rick says that he never buys third reich items, but I find that hard to believe, as Iam sure he knows there is a market for them.Everytime he calls in the expert ,he always ends up paying more money for the item whereas he could have bought it a lot cheaper, I have noticed that on the gold,etc, he has bought. But of couse you call in the expert to make the show look more original, the other times he just wings it without calling in the expert.
Thanks
Bob

Hey you guys , just a little note, I know a descendant of the Mcoys. I have known him all my life. They had a big article on his dad who was an artist and teacher up here in the w burbs of Chicago. He told me his connection well before the article, his last name was Milem. Just a little tidbit of info. T

I have heard as high as 50K or more per show seems to be the going rate for the other shows too such as Son's OF Gun's, American Chopper, etc...

So, they really do not have to buy a thing, just live off of the money the show pays them. Great work if you can get it.
Where did I go wrong, when I could have been a guru on my own show making big bucks.Wonder what Craig gets paid, we will never know??

Yeah, I did American Restoration. I was in Vegas for Pawn, and Rick Dale had a gun that came in, so it was VERY convenient for me to drive the 1 mile or so from Gold and Silver, over to Rick's Restoration. I'm very glad they decided not to restore the gun. It would have been a crying shame. It'll be interesting how "Stuff It" plays out. The gun that came in was quite an interesting bird.

isnt it what ever they want to sell it ofor??

pizza money

Don't know if anybody caught Monday nights American Pickers.They were in a house and the seller was showing them a boxed WW2 German mine detector.Just as the seller brought in the detector,there was a quick shot of Frank holding what looked like a 2nd model Luft dagger with hangers.All I could see was the end of the scabbard,part of the crossguard and part of the hangers.

Rich,

I thought I was seeing things. I too saw the top of the crossguard and was thinking they were going to get back to it after the mine detector...wishful thinking on my part.

Rich

Yes I saw it definitely a 2nd model luft I am sure they were afraid someone would be offended if they showed it

But you can bet that they bought it.

Your probably right. And if we know Frank, he found five other daggers and bundled them and got them for $450.00.

i remember the one american pickers back in the corner of the ones guys house there was a ss uniform. I wanted to know more about the uniform. they never went over to it. The my girlfirned was getting mad at me since i was screaming at the tv wanting a better view of it. If I remember it was in a house they picked in scranton/wilkes barre pa. I was mad since I didnt know or ever seen the guy at the local shows or auctions in pa.

All of these guys have a policy of steering clear of TR on camera, so their sponsors don't get complaints from the usual suspects of promoting hate and bigotry.
Off camera, I'm willing to bet they'd buy anything and everything that they can turn a buck on.

Its rather interesting. When I was doing motel buys, I would drive rigth by the American Picker's original spot on my way to Clinton, IA from the Quad Cities. Small world as I passed their spot over 20 times over the years in the 80s and 90s.