Ep 9. Secret Shopper

In season 10 of the hit reality television show Hardcore Pawn, the eighth episode titled "Secret Shopper" features the family-owned American Jewelry and Loan shop, owned by Les Gold and his family. For those unfamiliar with the show, Hardcore Pawn follows Les and his family as they run their pawn shop in Detroit, Michigan. In each episode, viewers can see the ups and downs of the pawn business as the family deals with a variety of customers looking to sell their wares for cash.

In this episode, the family is visited by a secret shopper, someone hired to pretend to be a customer and report back on their experience in the shop. The family is unaware of this at the beginning of the episode, and the tension is palpable as they are on their best behavior for the camera crew. Les's son Seth, who often butts heads with his father and sister Ashley, is especially eager to impress the secret shopper and prove himself to his father.

As the episode progresses, we see the family interacting with a variety of customers, both those looking to sell their items for cash and those looking to buy. There are the usual arguments and disagreements that come with the pawn business, but the family seems to be mostly on their best behavior given the secret shopper in their midst. However, tensions mount as the day goes on, and we see the family members begin to bicker and argue with one another.

Meanwhile, the secret shopper is doing their best to fit in and give the family the impression that they are just another customer. The viewer can see the various things that they observe throughout the day, from the way that the family interacts with customers to their business practices. The shopper takes note of any shady or unethical behavior and experiences any pushy sales tactics or attempts to lowball customers.

As the day nears its end, the secret shopper's visit comes to light as Les and the rest of the family realize that they are being watched. This sparks a lively debate between the family members about the merits of the pawn business and the importance of treating customers fairly. It showcases the family's passion for their business and their dedication to doing right by their customers, even when the stakes are high.

Overall, the episode showcases the highs and lows of running a pawn shop in a bustling city, from the difficulty of dealing with difficult customers to the joy of finding a rare and valuable item. It highlights the family's love for their business and their dedication to making American Jewelry and Loan a success. Whether you're a fan of pawn shows or just looking for an entertaining way to spend an hour, "Secret Shopper" is sure to keep you engaged from start to finish.