Hardcore Pawn

**Ray1936** · March-23-11, 08:18 PM

With the thread on Detriot 1-8-7 getting over 600 responses, I'm surprised no one has commented about the "Hardcore Pawn" show on TruTV. I'm not sure where that pawn shop is located, but the old store was on Michigan Avenue for years.

Frankly, the couple of shows I've caught paint a pretty bleak picture of Detroit, based on the 'customers'.

**mcsdetroitfriend** · March-23-11, 08:38 PM

they're all pre-cast, its on the michigan film office's website

**R8RBOB** · March-23-11, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Ray1936

With the thread on Detriot 1-8-7 getting over 600 responses, I'm surprised no one has commented about the "Hardcore Pawn" show on TruTV. I'm not sure where that pawn shop is located, but the old store was on Michigan Avenue for years.

Frankly, the couple of shows I've caught paint a pretty bleak picture of Detroit, based on the 'customers'.

Ray, say it with me. There is no such thing as reality television. Reality TV is fiction and Hardcore Pawn is phonier than a $3 dollar bill. For the record, American Jewelry and Loan is located on Greenfield at the Lodge. The location used to be a bowling alley connected to the Crystal House motel. [[Anyone remember the Crystal House?) The Michigan Ave. location had to be when I was a kid because I remember them being located at Green 8 Shopping Center before they moved. Back to Hardcore Pawn, I have been a customer of AJ&L over the years and I have never, repeat never seen anyone act a fool. Now, I sure some folks have probably act up but the shit they do on that show is all for show.

**sumas** · March-23-11, 09:11 PM

Thanks R & R, these shows are just that bad, really bad shows. Embarassing but I have pawned a few things back in the day. No drama whatsoever.

**detroitbob66** · March-25-11, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by R8RBOB

Ray, say it with me. There is no such thing as reality television. Reality TV is fiction and Hardcore Pawn is phonier than a $3 dollar bill. For the record, American Jewelry and Loan is located on Greenfield at the Lodge. The location used to be a bowling alley connected to the Crystal House motel. [[Anyone remember the Crystal House?) The Michigan Ave. location had to be when I was a kid because I remember them being located at Green 8 Shopping Center before they moved. Back to Hardcore Pawn, I have been a customer of AJ&L over the years and I have never, repeat never seen anyone act a fool. Now, I sure some folks have probably act up but the shit they do on that show is all for show.

SAY THAT SH*T R&RBOB....I have always said all reality shows are scripted because THEY ARE!!!

**CountrySquire** · March-25-11, 10:39 AM

Pawn Stars, where they take an Antique's Road Show approach and attempt to educate the viewer on the items being pawned, is a far superior show. The comparison made between HP to the WWF is accurate. The focus on Hardcore Pawn is the people who pawn rather then the items them selves, plus the worn out sibling drama of the owner's kids. I did pawn some gold there after X mas and was given a much more fair a price and found the staff at American Jewelry to be way more professional then the other three shops I went to that day. It's a shame the show's producers don't run with that professionalism instead.

**Thruster315** · September-15-11, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by CountrySquire

I did pawn some gold there after X mas and was given a much more fair a price and found the staff at American Jewelry to be way more professional then the other three shops I went to that day. It's a shame the show's producers don't run with that professionalism instead.

Because the producers probably know that "professionalism" would make for a boring show.

I'm also left to wonder if the Detroit market just doesn't have the goofy quirkier items to pawn like the Vegas Pawn Stars show. Seriously who wants to watch a ring, a three year old laptop, an XBox, lawnmower, or a watch being pawned?

**p1acebo** · March-23-11, 09:17 PM

I like the show, fact or not :P

**65memories** · March-23-11, 09:19 PM

The show is embarrassing...period.

**SCS_Scooter** · March-23-11, 10:00 PM

American Jewelry is where I found some of the items that were taken from my home last year. They were nothing but nice, helpful and worked with the St Clair Shores Police Department. I was in there several times getting things in order and NEVER saw any of those whackadoodle customers. Nothing even close to what you see on TV happened while I was there! [[Maybe a few questionable things going on in the parking lot but not inside!

)

**Jimaz** · March-23-11, 09:55 PM

This thread lacks links.

**tetsua** · March-23-11, 11:07 PM

I've seen a couple of episodes, and it seems that every other customer threatens to shoot up the store.

**R8RBOB** · March-23-11, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by tetsua

I've seen a couple of episodes, and it seems that every other customer threatens to shoot up the store.

Go to any pawn shop in Metro Detroit. The workers are always packin'

**Kevgoblue** · March-23-11, 11:27 PM

Actually I noticed a few scenes where the "hellraisers" were miked. So the show is definately just a 2011 version of wrestling [[prepackaged entertainment).

On the other hand, I've been there a couple times and the line was way longer than I would have ever guessed, prior to going in. The prices on the merchandise were also WAAAYYY high for what one would expect to pay for used goods at a pawn shop. That being said no one was in there, acting ignorant.

All in all, a mix of truth and fiction.

**CLAUDE G** · March-24-11, 01:53 AM

Originally Posted by Kevgoblue

Actually I noticed a few scenes where the "hellraisers" were miked. So the show is definately just a 2011 version of wrestling [[prepackaged entertainment).

On the other hand, I've been there a couple times and the line was way longer than I would have ever guessed, prior to going in. The prices on the merchandise were also WAAAYYY high for what one would expect to pay for used goods at a pawn shop. That being said no one was in there, acting ignorant.

All in all, a mix of truth and fiction.

Yea, I saw a few of the Microphones taped to the peoples backs, as security was dragging the people out of the pawn shop for causing a disturbance.

I like the fact that this show is based in Detroit, but im really embarrased that this show is reinforcing the negative images that people associate with Detroit.

Other than that, the father who is the owner seems like a really cool person. I am however tired of seeing the sister and brother fight every week over who is in control of the shop.

Now on the other hand, Pawn Stars in Vegas has their issues also. I like the old man, Rick, Big Haus and Chumley, eventhough their is some differences it adds to the show. I just don't like the fact that evertime someone brings in something they need to call in an expert. They been in the business long enough, they should know what they are doing.

**Baselinepunk** · March-24-11, 06:53 AM

"Hardcore" is really late to the show. I don't expect it to go much further. Very "forced", phony and unoriginal.

**Thruster315** · September-15-11, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by CLAUDE G

Now on the other hand, Pawn Stars in Vegas has their issues also. I like the old man, Rick, Big Haus and Chumley, eventhough their is some differences it adds to the show. I just don't like the fact that evertime someone brings in something they need to call in an expert. They been in the business long enough, they should know what they are doing.

"Experts"? I don't mind those guys [[or any pawn shops folk) calling in experts in their respective fields to grade things but who the hell is that dope that the Harrisons call in to do verification of autographs? I think he's about as phony and hokey as they come. All he shows up with is a big ass Sherlock Holmes magnifying glass out of a briefcase and looks at the supposed signature. Shouldn't he be comparing the supposed signature to a known authenticated signature? That big ol' magnifying glass just shows some minute detail [[it wasn't signed with an auto-pen nor was it a photocopy) but where's the authenticity in that?

He's the only one I'd call on the carpet. Some of the other folks are at least known dealers and experts in their respective fields.

bartock · March-24-11, 08:28 AM

Something of a threadjack, but this is one of the more "authentic" places in town. Fred's Unique Furniture in Eastpointe:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,21.3,,0,11.75

It isn't a pawn shop...but it is.

Craziest place I've ever been, in a good way. Huge, better stuff, according to the owner, but not much better, IMO) some fairly wild looking sellers and buyers, but no open brandishing of guns or bravado. It is on 8 Mile, in Eastpointe. The owner...and I'm not sure if his name is Fred, told me that the people that do Hardcore Pawn and the people from 1-8-7 both approached him about doing a show there and doing an episode there, respectfully. He said he turned them down..."I don't want them to know what I do here." If you are in the area, stop by this place for an experience. There are even good deals.

**trotwood** · September-17-11, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by bartock

Something of a threadjack, but this is one of the more "authentic" places in town. Fred's Unique Furniture in Eastpointe:
......on 8 Mile, in Eastpointe.

I've been to Fred's. There are some wonderful finds to be had there,though sometimes it takes quite a bit of sorting to find them. I bought a beautiful Empire[[?) sofa from there a few years ago. I've gotten many compliments on it&a few offers to.
Fred's is located on the Warren side of 8 mile if I'm not mistaken.

**313WX** · September-18-11, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by bartock

Something of a threadjack, but this is one of the more "authentic" places in town. Fred's Unique Furniture in Eastpointe:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,21.3,,0,11.75

It isn't a pawn shop...but it is.

Craziest place I've ever been, in a good way. Huge, better stuff, according to the owner, but not much better, IMO) some fairly wild looking sellers and buyers, but no open brandishing of guns or bravado. It is on 8 Mile, in Eastpointe. The owner...and I'm not sure if his name is Fred, told me that the people that do Hardcore Pawn and the people from 1-8-7 both approached him about doing a show there and doing an episode there, respectfully. He said he turned them down..."I don't want them to know what I do here." If you are in the area, stop by this place for an experience. There are even good deals.

That's Warren, not Eastpointe.

Esatpointe I believe starts at Eastwood, the first block you would pass coming west from Gratiot.

Fred's Unique Furniture is on 8 Mile and Elroy [[between Ehlert, the first light headed west from Gratiot, and Schoenherr, the next light headed west), in Warren.

bartock · September-19-11, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by 313WX

That's Warren, not Eastpointe.

Esatpointe I believe starts at Eastwood, the first block you would pass coming west from Gratiot.

Fred's Unique Furniture is on 8 Mile and Elroy [[between Ehlert, the first light headed west from Gratiot, and Schoenherr, the next light headed west), in Warren.

My bad, it is in Warren.

**sumas** · March-24-11, 12:15 PM

Whackadoodle??

**SCS_Scooter** · March-24-11, 04:36 PM

Whackadoodle...According to the Urban Dictionary...
A person who is acting insane, bizarre or highly unusual or the result of when a person with mental illness decides they are 'better' and goes off their meds.