History Channel's "American Pickers" - Anyone Hooked?

[Adam West]

The other weird thing about Pickers is they always go for the same stuff.

Cans, bikes, advertising items, and things that they see as decorative. I have watched the show Hoarders and have never really been able to relate to it because most of the time; the people's houses are filled with literal trash...empty soda cups, newspapers, etc.

The people on Pickers should be the ones they run shows on for Hoarders. It is really is interesting to me at least see people that have such a strong emotional attachment to something that has been collecting dust for years.

I can relate to it in some ways. I still have some old items that belonged to me as a kid including my bicycle which is a Schwinn Sting Ray. It actually is in really good shape with spots of rust here and there. I have always had the intent of cleaning it up and displaying it somewhere but I haven't found the time to clean it and don't have the heart to sell it so it just sits in a back storage area of our basement. I can't explain why I have a strong attachment to it other than the great memories I had riding it and that at least back when I was young, we lived in a semi rural suburb so I was allowed to ride it pretty much anywhere I wanted within reason so it gave me a feeling of freedom and independence that didn't otherwise exist.

[Adam West]

What I don't get with Pawn Stars,is why don't people take more in trade? Get yourself X number of dollars and maybe a nice Rolex.

My guess is desperation for cash. It is in Las Vegas after all (what better place to open a pawn shop).

I don't think they ever addressed whether or not the hot air balloon sold (my guess is it did and they probably even made a profit on it even if it is a small one).

They have Big Hoss portrayed as the dummy son who takes big risks and buys items that Rick and the old man both think are all time stupid moves (the boat and Belgium motorcycle come to mind) but both of them sold for a pretty decent profit but he still gets not credit at least not much on camera.

A lot of it is just for show. Chumlee is portrayed as the court jester and I'm sure most of it is just hamming it up for the camera but the guy really knows his stuff. There was the episode where Rick was going to give Big Hoss a test of items sold in the shop and who did he turn to learn some of the values of the more obscure items.....Chumlee.

There are also people that go in the shop just to get their 15 minutes of fame....like the guy who had the collection of Pez dispensers. That would be like one of us walking in with our collection of Megos and start educating the shop owners about the figs.

Actually, now that I think of it...might be a good way to get some coverage of Mego collecting. Anyone live in the Vegas area that wants to take their collection in and get on tv?

[toys2cool]

Probably their dumbest purchase ever...

the dad's face was priceless

[jwyblejr]

What I don't get with Pawn Stars,is why don't people take more in trade? Get yourself X number of dollars and maybe a nice Rolex.

[Hector]

did they finally sell that $38K hot air balloon?

Probably their dumbest purchase ever...

[toys2cool]

did they finally sell that $38K hot air balloon?

[Hector]

[Mikey]

You forgot to point out what the Pawn Star dude says in his counter-offer for that $5000 item..."I'll give you $300 for it..."

that's true

[Hector]

Yea, but some people that walk into Pawn Stars are just plain stupid .....

Made up scenario

Guy walks into the shop with an old coin ....

He don't know what it's worth ....

Pawn Stars calls an expert to come down ...

Expert say's its worth up to $5,000

Pawn Stars asks ... "so how much you want for it ?"

Person says, "Since it's worth $5,000, i'd like to get $5,000"

Why even insult the guy by asking what the expert say's it might be worth ?

Don't these people know re-sellers CAN'T pay top dollar ?

You forgot to point out what the Pawn Star dude says in his counter-offer for that $5000 item..."I'll give you $300 for it..."

[Hector]

American Pickers do not rip people off...simply because it's stuff rusting away in spider-infested barns...and the owners of that junk...don't make the effort to sell them outside of their environment.

Besides...they have the option to say no...but they sell nevertheless.

This is a very specialized market...you gotta have contacts in order to sell this stuff for a profit.

[Mikey]

Yea, but some people that walk into Pawn Stars are just plain stupid .....

Made up scenario

Guy walks into the shop with an old coin ....

He don't know what it's worth ....

Pawn Stars calls an expert to come down ...

Expert say's its worth up to $5,000

Pawn Stars asks ... "so how much you want for it ?"

Person says, "Since it's worth $5,000, i'd like to get $5,000"

Why even insult the guy by asking what the expert say's it might be worth ?

Don't these people know re-sellers CAN'T pay top dollar ?

[toys2cool]

I hate this show i think they are ripping people off! At a fea market you can find things cheap and you dont tell the seller its value but hes there to sell and could find the value before going.The pickers dont give the people that chance

yeah but it looks like most of the time they over pay for everything..there's no way they get those prices they list

[Luke Landwalker]

I hate this show i think they are ripping people off! At a fea market you can find things cheap and you dont tell the seller its value but hes there to sell and could find the value before going.The pickers dont give the people that chance

[toys2cool]

Pawn Stars is definitely the better of the two shows. I am truly amazed at the vast array of items that come into that shop. If you notice on both shows; they really don't lowball, they simply ask "What do you want for it?" which starts the negotiation process.

Actually, the old man from Pawn Stars is the biggest low baller of all time. He typically doesn't bring in experts and deals with the antique type items but always seems like he is offended that someone wants a price for their item and will usually give a sarcastic reply like (you mean U.S. Dollars?). At least with the bald guy (can't remember his name), he will usually tell the person selling the item that he likes it but also has to understand that he is running a business with overhead and is taking a chance on he thinks he can sell the item (my guess is that he gives higher prices on certain items because he already has a clientele of people who are always willing to purchase the items at a predetermined markup...so no real risk).

Pickers I like for the educational part but boy do they pick up some trash. I'm sure the show is edited but quite honestly if they didn't have a show on the History channel; I'm not sure how they'd make a living. I feel like I could go to local estate sales and auctions and pick up items that they buy for the same prices.

I agree, when ever the old man asks how much and you say a price, he says No before you even finish

[Duncan]

Pickers is watchable but the hosts are duds. I don't see it lasting beyond a season without some tweaking.

Agreed. The one guy doesn't say much, and the other is mildly annoying.