The melting coin debacle wasn’t the only time that Rick has taken in stolen goods. Back in 2009, a man came in to trade a pair of diamond earrings for $40,000. It was only one day later that they discovered that they were stolen!
The seller was arrested and the pawnshop wasn’t liable, but they also don’t get their money back.
The Store Is Full of Merchandise
The most significant moneymaker in the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop nowadays is their merchandise and Chumlee's line is especially popular. But the cameras are deliberately angled away from this during filming in an effort to make it seem more authentic and real.
But considering the store gets so many fans visiting on a daily basis, the outgoings on the merchandise are far higher than from people actually pawning things. With its rise in popularity, the store has so many fans visiting who end up becoming customers compared to people actually pawning items.
Sometimes The Trade Isn't What It Seems
As we all are aware by now, reality TV doesn't accurately reflect reality, even when things may seem real, there's usually a certain amount of manipulation.
For example, some of the trades and negotiations we see have already happened before. Someone might bring in an unusual item, and they will be asked to come in again at a different time so that they can be filmed for the show.
Subway
Shameless product placement on any show is always grating, but 'Pawn Stars' goes overboard. Subway is probably one of the show's main sponsors so we often see the cast eating their sandwiches with the logo on the wrapping on display.
What's probably worse is when someone talks about a Subway sandwich on the show they will call it by its proper, branded name, which only comes across as awkward.
Pimps Come to Buy Jewelry
While some of the customers who come in are good for TV, others just don't make the cut.
Every now and then, local pimps often come into their shop to buy jewelry since they can bring it back in later and get half the price as an advance against it. It's a loophole that helps them to pay bail since their cash will be confiscated if they're arrested. Interesting, but not exactly suitable for family TV.