Ep 1. Hot Rods, Raging Tempers

The episode "Hot Rods, Raging Tempers" is the first episode of the third season of the hit reality show Hardcore Pawn. The episode takes place at American Jewelry and Loan, a pawn shop located in Detroit, Michigan. The shop is owned by Les Gold and is run by his son, Seth, and daughter, Ashley.

The episode opens with a customer bringing in a hot rod, hoping to pawn it for some quick cash. The car is a 1957 Chevy Bel Air, and the customer is hoping to get $30,000 for it. Les examines the car and decides to call in an expert to assess its value. The expert arrives and confirms that the car is worth between $35,000 and $40,000. Les offers the customer $25,000 for the car, but the customer refuses to accept anything less than $30,000. After some negotiation, Les agrees to loan the customer $27,500 and keeps the car as collateral.

The next customer who comes in is looking to sell his vintage motorcycle. The bike is a 1948 Indian Chief, and the customer is hoping to get $10,000 for it. Les examines the bike and decides to call in an expert to assess its value. The expert arrives and confirms that the bike is worth between $12,000 and $15,000. Les offers the customer $8,500 for the bike, but the customer refuses to accept anything less than $10,000. After some back and forth, Les agrees to loan the customer $9,000 and keeps the bike as collateral.

Meanwhile, Ashley is dealing with a customer who is looking to sell a watch. The watch is a Rolex Daytona, and the customer is hoping to get $20,000 for it. Ashley examines the watch and decides to call in an expert to assess its value. The expert arrives and confirms that the watch is worth between $15,000 and $18,000. Ashley offers the customer $10,000 for the watch, but the customer refuses to accept anything less than $20,000. After some negotiation, Ashley agrees to loan the customer $15,000 and keeps the watch as collateral.

As the day goes on, tensions rise between the customers and the pawn shop employees. One customer becomes enraged when he is offered less than he was hoping for his guitar, and another becomes upset when he is told that the pawn shop cannot accept his stolen goods. The employees at American Jewelry and Loan are used to dealing with angry customers, but the situation becomes particularly tense when a customer becomes violent and has to be escorted out of the shop by security.

Throughout the episode, viewers get a glimpse into the day-to-day operations of American Jewelry and Loan. They see the deals that are made, the negotiations that take place, and the occasional confrontations that arise. The show also highlights the expertise and knowledge required to properly assess the value of items that are brought into the pawn shop. From hot rods to watches to vintage motorcycles, the employees at American Jewelry and Loan are well-equipped to handle a wide range of items and situations.

Overall, "Hot Rods, Raging Tempers" is a captivating episode that gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most successful pawn shops in the country. With its mix of drama, humor, and real-life situations, Hardcore Pawn has become a must-watch for anyone interested in the world of pawn shops and the people who run them.