The Shocking Scams of Pawn Stars: When the Experts Get Duped!

In the world of Pawn Stars, the Harrison family has built a reputation for their expertise in the pawn business.

With three generations of experience under their belts, they have mastered the art of spotting fake merchandise and negotiating deals that often leave customers in disbelief.

However, even the most seasoned professionals can fall victim to scams.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most jaw-dropping moments when the Pawn Stars crew got scammed, resulting in significant losses for their famous Gold and Silver Pawn Shop.

I. The Dangers of Cubic Zirconia

One of the earliest and most significant scams that the Harrisons encountered involved cubic zirconia, a synthetic diamond that became popular during the late 70s and early 80s.

The late Richard “Old Man” Harrison famously lamented the losses incurred due to these fake diamonds, admitting that they had swindled him out of $30,000.

At that time, many pawn shops, including Gold and Silver, were unaware of how to distinguish between real diamonds and their synthetic counterparts.

This costly mistake served as a valuable lesson, leading to the next generation of Pawn Stars being trained to identify the real deal, ensuring that such blunders wouldn’t happen again.

II. The Illusive Joe Jackson Autograph

Another infamous blunder occurred when Rick Harrison bought what he believed was an authentic autograph from baseball legend Shoeless Joe Jackson.

The excitement of acquiring such a rare piece of memorabilia clouded his judgment, leading him to pay a hefty $13,000 without proper verification.

When experts were called in to authenticate the signature, they confirmed what Rick feared the most: it was a forgery.

The laughter from his family members—his dad, son, and Chumlee—only added insult to injury as they poked fun at him for falling for one of the oldest tricks in the book.

This incident highlighted the risks involved in the pawn business, where excitement can lead to costly mistakes.

III. Corey’s Rookie Mistakes

Corey Harrison, who grew up in the pawn shop environment, also faced his share of blunders.

During his early years working night shifts, he made a rookie mistake by purchasing six fake Rolexes in just one week, costing the business $4,000.

Despite being raised in the shop, Corey learned the hard way that not all high-end watches are genuine.

Over time, he gained valuable experience and has since avoided such costly errors, but this early blunder serves as a reminder that even the most knowledgeable can slip up.

IV. The Willie Mays Uniform Fiasco

In a particularly notable episode titled “Free Willy,” Corey made another significant mistake by purchasing what he believed was a game-worn uniform from baseball great Willie Mays for $31,000.

The uniform appeared to be in pristine condition, raising red flags that Chumlee pointed out.

Despite the warnings, Corey proceeded with the deal, only to discover later that the jersey was not only unworn but also did not belong to Mays.

The pawn shop eventually auctioned it off for $19,200 two years later, a far cry from what they initially paid.

The uniform turned out to be a Spalding salesman’s sample, valued at just $2,000.

This blunder was a painful reminder of the importance of thorough verification in the pawn business.

V. The James Bond Guitar Rip-off

In another shocking episode, Rick Harrison was approached by Vic Flick, a studio musician known for his work on various James Bond soundtracks.

Rick was eager to acquire a vintage guitar that Flick claimed had a rich history, settling on a price of $55,000.

However, Rick’s excitement led him to overvalue the instrument, which he later attempted to sell for $90,000 based on its supposed connection to the iconic film series.

Unfortunately, he ended up selling it for just $25,000, resulting in a massive loss for the pawn shop.

This experience illustrated how even items with a storied past can sometimes fall flat in the market.

The stories of these scams serve as a cautionary tale for both pawn shop owners and customers alike.

In the fast-paced world of buying and selling, it’s easy to get caught up in excitement and overlook the importance of verification.

The Harrisons may have built their empire on expertise and experience, but they are not immune to the pitfalls of the trade.

As fans of Pawn Stars, it’s essential to recognize that while the show highlights incredible finds and thrilling negotiations, it also showcases the inherent risks involved in the pawn business.