So, it was late at night and gpawn was surfing the rip-tide known as cable television when alas, something called “Hardcore Pawn” emerged onto the screen. Now gpawn has sat through more than his fair share of “Pawn Stars” episodes so that he could he could speak somewhat knowledgeably to the oft repeated question, “Is Glendale Pawn and Jewelry anything like Pawn Stars?” For the record, as we have explained on several previous posts…uh, not really…we’re a bit more “Reality based” than so called “Reality Television”. But hey…Pawn Stars is pretty good entertainment.
So, with Hardcore Pawn I got to see a little bit different version of the trend towards “Pawn shop reality television”.
Here’s the plot summary:
The Gold family (I did not make that up) run a huge pawn shop in a Detroit area known as “8-Mile”. Backed up by beefy security guards they have a series of loud, verbal and sometimes physical confrontations with some very desperate people.
Yup, that’s pretty much it.
Okay, it’s set in Detroit. In the spirit of transparency and full disclosure, Gpawn has been to Detroit several times over the years. I totally dig Detroit. I’ll even make the radical statement that Detroit is one of the world’s great cities. To see a television network exploit the dire economic circumstances that have afflicted Detroit…as well as ANY major American city is reprehensible and shameful. All major metropolitan areas in the WORLD have their “Rough times”. It’s just the way it is.
Now Detroit has been hit harder by this economic train-wreck than almost every other major American city and that is a fact. However, the decline of Detroit started long before this current economic mess and would take volumes of data, facts and history to fully understand. But the fact also remains that Detroit gave birth to the most powerful force that the world has ever seen…the American Middle Class …and in turn fostered the middle class throughout the United States. Do you live in a “nice” suburban neighborhood? Well, you can trace the development of your neighborhood directly to the history of Detroit. Do you enjoy a vibrant, bluesy downtown scene and need to hear some Motown? Well, you know where that was created. Enjoy having a nice selection of manufactured products to choose from? If it wasn’t for Detroit, they wouldn’t be available for you to purchase…regardless of where they are presently manufactured. Oh yeah, that little dust-up in the 1940’s known as World War II? Detroit manufactured the vast majority of the arms and armament that was used to defeat the greatest evil ever seen in the 20th century. There really isn’t very much in the world of manufactured products, technology or essential items that cannot be traced back to the history of Detroit.
Here’s an idea! How about a reality television series about how Detroit is climbing out of the economic ashes faster than any other American city? Maybe a series about how small, urban farms are transforming what were once abandoned and neglected neighborhoods? How about giving some air-time to all the small industries that are springing up in the Detroit area. The revitalization of the downtown area? The amazing comeback of the American auto industry? Maybe you could focus on any one of THOUSANDS of positive stories that are coming from Detroit and build a reality television series from that?
Nope, we get “Hardcore Pawn” instead.
Is there any similarity between Glendale Pawn and Jewelry and Hardcore Pawn?
None, zero, zip nada…end of story.
We don’t have confrontations with customers, we build lasting friendships and we’ve been doing this for over 25 years. We treat EVERYONE with respect, including each other. We help people who need money quickly, in order to get the car fixed (Why do they always break down in the middle of the pay period?). The dog needs to go to the vet? (Why do they always eat something terrible when my cash is low?) We help people who need to sell some stuff…because they have TOO much stuff…safely and for top dollar. We help people save 30 – 60% on top quality new and gently used merchandise. We have top of the line jewelry, musical instruments, collectibles…and a whole lot more.
Glendale Pawn and Jewelry is also a great place just to stop by and say hello once in awhile. There’s always something new and unusual to take a look at. (Sometimes these items have great stories behind them too…like a particularly scary monkey that gpawn is STILL trying to sell.)
So, gpawn is in danger of going on a much lengthier rant and better end this post by inviting you to take a break from reality television and enjoy the reality at Glendale Pawn and Jewelry. (We guarantee you’ll enjoy our reality and have the opportunity to save some serious money in the process.)
It doesn’t get more real than when we say, “We’re glad you’re here!”
gpawn
