PawnStars

"Pawn Stars," the History Channel reality series, is television gold. During his lifetime in the business, Rick Harrison -- owner-operator of the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, where the show is set -- has seen it all. Here are four tips that he shared on how to become a world-class pawnbroker.

With gold trading at around $1,600 an ounce, this most precious of metals seems to many like a smart investment. And if you have a television, you've doubtless seen ads encouraging you to buy physical gold. But think twice: Owning bullion can be more trouble than it's worth, and alternatives exist.

On WalletPop's Big News Podcast, Jason Cochran and I chatted up Rick Harrison, owner of the Gold and Silver pawn shop in Las Vegas, Nevada and one of the stars of the History Channel's Pawn Stars. Rick told us how his store is doing in the deep recession, tips on how to pawn your stuff, and his...