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daily nebraskan
monday, September 25, 1978
Poor man's bank' continues tradition
Dirty Dick's Pa m shop at V09 0 St. stands as a monu
ment to an old and honorable tradition. Tucked between
an adult book store and X-rated movie house and Marie's
Oasis, the shop sees all kinds of people, and deals in
almost everv imaginable kind of merchandise.
The place is packed with watches and rings of all
descriptions, hair dryers, toasters, stereos, guitars and a
few tires, not to mention the standard pawn shop fare of
bayonets, knives, pistols and rifles.
Dirty Dick, alias Dick Budig, said he thinks his pawn
shop provides a valuable service.
"I think there is a place in today's society for a pawn
shop. It's a kind of poor man's bank. I mean, where else
are they going to go, you just can't drag your stereo down
to the bank when you need a few bucks. And with some
of these people, a few bucks can -make a lot of differ
ence," he said.
Bankers to bums
Although the bulk of his trade comes from blue collar
folks who need a few dollars, Budig said he sees all kinds
of people in his store, from bankers to bums.
"I see every kind of person, the really down and
outers, people who need 30 bucks or so to cover a few
bounced checks, and people who have a lot of money.
Some of then wouldn't shop anywhere else," Budig said.
Budig said he enjoys the chance to meet these people.
"Every day around here is like Halloween. I see and
hear things in here you wouldn't believe."
More than the people, Budig said he enjoys playing
up the pawn shop image. His slogan, MI got screwed by
Dirty Dick" is printed up and sold on a t-shirt.
Instant psychology
"It's kind of fun, like instant psychology." Budig
said. "You hit 'em right up front with the cold hard
truth, 'Look, 111 deal with you, but I want the best
of the deal, and 111 screw you if I get the chance.
"And you know, it doesn't seem to make a bit of
difference. People are resigned to getting screwed when
they hock something, it's just a matter of degree."
Budig said pawn brokers tend to specialize, and like
to deal in merchandise they know. With some, it's clocks
and antiques, and other brokers go for musical instru
ments. He said the things he knows best are cameras
and electronic equipment, although he will buy, sell
or hock almost anything.
Thirty-day loans
A person wanting to get a loan from a pawn shop
can expect to get less than 20 percent of the retail value
of whatever they are trying to hock, "and that's if it's
in damn good working order," Budig said. He said he
makes thirty-day loans at 10 to 20 percent interest.
If a person borrowed $30, he could expect to pay
about $36 at the end of 30 days, or forfeit what he
borrowed on, according to Budig.
When selling merchandise, Budig said he can offer no
guarantees. He is quick to point out that a low price is
about all he has to offer.
"But if I know something doesn't work, 111 tell them
before they buy it. You can't stay in business any other
way," he said.
Budig said he spent about 20 years in news writing,
advertising and public relations before buying out
Charley's Pawn shop last year. He still runs a small adver
tising agency that provides most of his income.
'This thing is paying for itself and adds a little to my
income," Budig said. Then again you can consider it a
pscyhological income, the experience intrigues me."
short stuff
A Sctlc.
All rare, scholarly, and out-of-print
books in all categories Art, Human
ities, and the Sciences-are on sale
at discounts up to 50 for this week
only.
m
.Jl jn
Rare, Scholarly,
&Out-ofPrint Books
Open 8-5, Monday -Saturday
H35R
432-0111
M f. NT- Lx O I
Cmvnuuv iwm oueciai
HESTERFIELD $L25 Pitchers & Nachos $150
(During the Game)
OTTOMSLEY 001116 'm A watch ur favorite
NFL team on our big screen.
Monday thru Friday
Happy Hour 43O&30
Dollar Doubles
45 cent 16 oz. ice cold Beer
$125 Pitchers
&
TO)
rOTTS
Gunny's
13th & Q
475-8007
Jl
The College of Business
Administration's student
magazine, Probe, is still in
need of an advertising
manager and a photographer
on a volunteer basis. The
advertising manager will sell
and prepare the 'magazine
and take care of the maga
zine's finances. The photo
grapher will be responsible
for taking all pictures and
producing them in a camera
ready manner. Applications
for the two positions are
available in CBA 240.
Need help in accounting?
Beta Alpha Psi is sponsoring
an accounting lab today in
CBA 120 from 3:30 p.m.
to 5 pjn. and in CBA 123
from 6:30 pjn. to 8 pjn.
Beta Alpha Psi members will
be available to answer any
questions you may have on
accounting material.
The Undergraduate Soci
ology Association will meet
Tuesday at 12:30 pjn. in
Oldfather 722 and at 3:30
pjn.inOldfather 707.
The UNL Student Ad
Club will meet Tuesday at
4:30 p.m. in the Nebraska
Union. Room number will
be posted. Featured speaker
will be J. GreuR Smith
The Teachers College Ad
visory Board will meet Tues
day at 6 pjn. in the union.
Room number will be
posted.
The Women's Resource
Center is sponsoring a gay
women's rap group from 6
p.m. to 8 pjn. Tuesday in
the Women's Resource Cen
ter.
Phi Chi Theta will meet
Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the
Nebraska Union. Room
number will be posted.
The Food Science Club
will meet at 7 pjn. Tuesday
in the C.Y. Thompson Lib
rary. Featured speaker will
be James Rieth.
The UNL Young
Americans for Freedom will
meet Tuesday at 7 pjn.
in. the Nebraska Union.
The UNL 4-H Club will
meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
in the Nebraska Union.
Room number will be
posted.
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ONNA 701 P. ST.
YOU'LL FIND
LINCOLN'S NEWEST
ITALIAN RESTAURANT.
IF NOT DINING IN CALL 475 5331
FOR FAST TO GO SERVICE I
Open for lunch. Monday. Sept 25
11:00 - 2.00
