Current Events > But seriously, why are people on Pawn Stars so bad at pricing?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Some guy: I want $4000

Rick: Lemme call an expert

Expert: It's worth around $3500

Rick: Ok thanks. Well what do you want for it?

Some guy: ....$4000

Rick: *sigh*

This happens a lot. Beyond just being dumb, what are they trying to accomplish? They heard the expert, they know they're at a PAWN SHOP... do a lot of people not understand how pawn shops work?
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I thought those shows/businesses notoriously lowball customers
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The stuff you see on TV is just an act. It isn't real.
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MorbidFaithless posted...

I thought those shows/businesses notoriously lowball customers

This - he is just trying to out-idiot the idiot behind the desk
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MorbidFaithless posted...

I thought those shows/businesses notoriously lowball customers

Yeah, and the experts they call up are often working with them to further lowball

you realize pawn stars is almost entirely scripted right
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edededdy posted...

you realize pawn stars is almost entirely scripted right

Don't ruin this for me
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When negotiating a price as a seller you start higher so that you can come down when you receive a counter offer you have room to negotiate

Pawn stars is extremely predictable in their pricing. After the offer and counter offer I can usually guess what price they will settle on
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Rick: Ill give 800$ for it. Its gonna take up room and I got make a profit
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I'm with you m8. Same with the people that bitch about Gamestop.

I get it, they are "cancer" but they are so in the business of making a quick buck & giving you a quick buck.

Big_Nabendu posted...

Rick: Ill give 800$ for it. Its gonna take up room and I got make a profit

I wouldn't at all call that ripping someone off. Sometimes you just want to get rid of the thing, it doesn't matter what someone might pay for it. It can be totally worth it to half the value so you don't have to spend energy selling it for three years.

And on Rick's side... yeah. He does want to make a profit. He's not going to have a great business with totally "fair" prices, making 2% on every buy

Seems like people who say pawn shops rip you off don't understand how pawn shops operate either...
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Colorahdo posted...

Seems like people who say pawn shops rip you off don't understand how pawn shops operate either...

Pawn shops are a rip off. They take advantage of people in desperate situations that need quick cash. Now, that might be the best option for someone in that situation but the business is predatory.
Also they are basically legalized fences. In KY/OH at least, they're super corrupt. Even if you can prove the item was stolen from you guess what . . . you have to buy at the price they paid.
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Never negotiate against yourself. Basic rules of negotiations. They asked for the price you want to sell at, you gave your number. Up to them to give a counter.
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Who goes to a pawn shop anymore? Facebook marketplace, craigslist, ebay, etc.

Yeah, I hate when they immediately match the price to what the expert says. Like brehn you're selling to a middle man who needs to make a profit. Obviously he won't buy it at price >_>
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Nidhoggr posted...

Who goes to a pawn shop anymore? Facebook marketplace, craigslist, ebay, etc.

Ebay is too slow when you need money for drugs or bail.