It beggars belief that a programme that costs more to make than the money it dishes out to the competitors can be so entertaining. I missed out on this programme when David Dickinson used to be in it, but the current presenter Tim Wonnacott is barking mad, and it is amusing if only for the stunningly poor profits (losses?) that most teams make.
The principle error is that the whole premise of the programme is in error due to a misunderstanding of the supply chain for antiques.
What are you on about I hear you ask? Right well here goes.
The teams buy their stuff from auction dealers at auction fairs, right? Where do you suppose that the dealers got their stuff from? Either direct from people or
That’s right, you’ve got it now.
From auctions.
Now these dealers are dealers to make a profit. Buy cheap sell for more make a profit keep the family in TV dinners, that’s the whole point of being a dealer.
So in the show they buy from dealers and sell to auctions? The supply chain is a bit like a river, go with the natural flow or you will have to work very hard or be very lucky to make a go of it. The result is that most of the teams see spectacular losses, after buying absolute tat, they sell it for a resounding loss.
So why do I want to go on? I would like to be the first person to see all of their items fail to sell at all, maximising the loss. Sure Jenny would be embarrassed, but hey who watches weekday lunchtime tv apart from me if I nip home.
Sad I hear you say? Well yes, quite. I am 35 and soon to be a father you know, I’m excused my little quirks now and again. My mate Andy has applied for an allotment, so it’s not just me. It must be a stage of life.
