Local Pawn Stars See Brisk Biz

Rod Henderson has owned in Lake Elsinore for more than 20 years. He said he believes that the reality show "Pawn Stars" has helped remove the stigma that has become attached to pawn shops.

“We’re getting different kinds of people that never would have used a pawn shop before,” he said. 

Like his counterparts in Murrieta and Temecula, jewelry is a popular item, but Henderson said he is concerned about the competition that comes from the recent businesses that buy gold -- sometimes in hotel rooms -- or gold parties.

“They don’t adhere to the same regulations we do and that can hurt the customer,” said Henderson.

Laws that govern pawn shops include a mandatory 30-day hold on any item they buy.

Pawn shops must also send copies of every pawn ticket to local law enforcement.

Pawn shops also obtain a copy of a driver’s license or other legitimate identification, as well as a thumb print. Most pawn shops also use cameras that capture photos during transactions.

Every shop must have a pawn broker’s license, file with the Department of Justice and carry commercial insurance. They also must be bonded and, if they purchase jewelry, they must have a weigh- master license.

Another concern for legitimate pawn shops is Craigslist.

“You have no idea where those items come from,” said Evan Boullon.

Although precautions and regulations prevent most stolen items from being accepted at legitimate pawn shops, it doesn’t stop someone from trying.

“Usually it’s nephews, cousins or other family members,” said Evan Boullon.

Local pawn shop owners that were interviewed said that the number of people who actually redeem their items has increased since the worst of the recession has passed. 

Not everyone agrees that the History Channel's popular "Pawn Stars," has had a positive effect on the pawn shop business.

At recently, employee Gary Brown smiled as a woman approached the counter and, when he asked how he could assist her, she opened her mouth and removed a bridge of gold teeth.

She laid them on the counter and asked for a good offer, Brown said.

According to Brown it was one of the most unusual items anyone ever brought in for a loan.

“The most popular items are laptops and jewelry,” he said.

Brown said that the reality of pawn shop business would not make a good reality show.

The show hasn’t helped the business of the 22-year-old pawn shop and, Brown said, if anything, it’s misrepresented the pawn business.

“People buy these so-called collectibles and then think they’re going to make a lot of money,” he said. “That’s just not going to happen.”

George Boullon, owner of Wimpey’s Pawn Shop in Murrieta, countered that the show has brought more interest to pawn shops.

“People are bringing in some unique and high-quality items,” he said.

That includes a pair of giant solid-brass binoculars from a Japanese battleship that have been in the shop since Boullon bought it six years ago.

According to his son, Alex, 17, they haven’t been able to value it yet because, unlike Rick in “Pawn Stars,” Boullon doesn’t have a group of experts at his fingertips.

Family-owned Wimpey’s does not accept any sort of weapons, according to Tammie Boullon, George’s wife.

“We’re family-oriented and it’s also a safety issue,” she said.

Pawning or purchasing guns also requires complicated registration issues, and the Boullons feel it’s not in their best interest to deal in weapons.

Jewelry is a very popular item to be brought in.

Tammie Boullon said couples who want a good price on a wedding set may come in and often shave as much as 70 percent from what would have been a retail price.

Although her husband has a lot of expertise, the family still relies on online resources, including eBay, to value items.

The couple’s oldest son, Evan, 24, can go through a stack of DVDs in less than a minute, knowing what will sell and what won’t. They pay $1 for popular DVDs and sell them for $3. He’s also the one who can spot the newest and most saleable electronics.

“We only take the newest items,” he said, “Digital cameras have to be 10 megapixels or more.”

They’ve received very few iPads or other tablet products, and those are always redeemed.