While the show is not scripted, the producers do sometimes set up certain situations for dramatic effect. For example, they may ask experts to give their opinion on an item before it is sold, or they may have the Harrison family negotiate with a fake buyer. However, the actual deals that are made on the show are real, and the Harrison family does keep the items that they purchase.
In one episode, Rick Harrison purchased a rare 1955 Gibson Les Paul guitar for $15,000. The guitar was later appraised for $250,000, making it one of the most valuable items ever sold on the show. In another episode, Chumlee bought a rusty old bike for $5. He later discovered that the bike was actually a rare Schwinn Black Phantom, worth thousands of dollars.
While the deals on Pawn Stars may sometimes seem too good to be true, they are actually real. The show is a fascinating look into the world of pawn shops, and it offers viewers a chance to see some of the most unique and valuable items in the world.