Salvage Hunters

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JonRB

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
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I've looked to see if there is a thread running on this TV show but, although it has been mentioned in other threads, it doesn't have its own thread. Until now.

I really like this show. It's about Drew Pritchard (http://www.drewpritchard.co.uk/) who specialises in Architectural Salvage and goes around the country buying stuff and then selling it. Pretty formulaic stuff not unlike Jordan Hembrough in Toy Hunter, and Bruce Crompton on Combat Dealers, but I like the show and am interested in antiques, collectables and upcycling.

Personally I could happily watch entire shows where Alex the French Polisher restores stuff but usually he only gets a couple of minutes. Definite scope for a spin-off show there because his skills and techniques are quite fascinating.

JonRB

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
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CoolC said:
And I know what you mean about the restoration work, the show needs to show more of that part of the job.
Yes, totally. In the latest series they allow a couple of minutes of showing Alex working on something (in the past it was just send it away then show what it looks like when it comes back) and I've found it really interesting. I would love it if there was a show devoted to restoring furniture, not unlike the format of Wheeler Dealers in fact.

JonRB

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
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Escort3500 said:
Yes, it's a bit stage-managed in parts
Yes. You do get the impression that sometimes items are seeded rather than being genuinely discovered by accident, but it's a good show.

One thing that irritates me is that Drew says "to be honest" very, very often and, to be honest, it's really starting to get on my nerves. smile

JonRB

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Sunday 29th March 2015
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I do love this show but sometimes the scripting seems a little obvious. For example they hold out their hands to shake before the other person has said the final price. Getting a bit ahead of themselves on the script.

JonRB

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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Quest TV have a pretty good Catch Up / On Demand service on their website.

Many episodes, plus additional clips and an interview.

http://www.questtv.co.uk/salvage-hunters-catch-up-...

JonRB

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Wednesday 29th April 2015
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It's all starting to get a little formulaic, sadly. At the very least they could use some new incidental music because it's really starting to grate now.

Part of the problem is that, as a mature show, sellers are now anticipating Drew and steering him to stuff they think he'll like. Also, his "discoveries" are just getting so painfully telegraphed now - the thing he wants to buy just happens to be propped up right there. Like in Wheeler Dealers when Mike Brewer visits a parts store and all the things he needs are right there to hand.

Kind of like that bit in Red Dwarf when Lister has the Luck Virus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOE7qTAK87o
"What a stroke of luck!"

The worst recently when Rebecca phoned up saying exactly what stock they needed and Drew just happened to be in a place that sold what she was talking about and the exact items were there in front of Drew. rolleyes



JonRB

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Thursday 21st May 2015
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I'd happily watch a spin-off show soley about Alex the French Polisher.

JonRB

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Thursday 12th November 2015
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Watching a recent edition (S7 Ep7), and Drew is at "Below Stairs" in Hungerford, a shop I know well and have visited many times.

I can say that, without a doubt, I have never seen it so well stocked and tidy. It's almost as if they made a huge effort before Drew and the team arrived for filming. smile

JonRB

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Friday 13th November 2015
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Yertis said:
I was in a v. trendy London restaurant/bar the other day (not my usual environment) and moaning about the lovely workbench lamps they had, not being above workbenches. Then I fell to wondering what will become of the lamps when the hipster restaurant fitted out with 'upcycled' old junk ceases to be cool. Will it all go in the skip?
I don't think so. If there is one thing this decade is teaching us is that if you hold onto something long enough it will become desirable again. The price of these things will find their level, but I don't think people will be as quick to throw stuff away as once they were.

JonRB

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Friday 13th November 2015
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petrolsniffer said:
About the van I see hes driving a brand new citroen now

loaned/given from the shows citroen sponsors?

lots of new aerial footage now too prob thanks to drones being more cheap/common as I noticed last few series they reused aerial shots from the very 1st season!
Now, if the budget could just stretch to some new Incidental Music then that would be great. smile

ClockworkCupcake

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Monday 13th February 2017
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Still going strong, and somehow managing to stay fresh and interesting.

I did have to smile when Drew visited Bruce Crompton of Combat Dealers for a bit of Discovery Channel show crossover. biggrin

ClockworkCupcake

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Monday 13th February 2017
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Bluedot said:
Dumb question...but I assume a new series has started then ?
There is currently a series running, yes. Although I confess I was just going through "My Topics" under the "My Stuff" link and had forgotten I had started this thread so thought it would be fun to bump it. smile

There is also a series of Combat Dealers currently running, although the crossover episode took place last year sometime I think. Certainly not recently.

ClockworkCupcake

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Monday 13th February 2017
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zeb said:
All abit formulaic these days combined with the irritation that 'I can only pay £40' then mysteriously appears on his website at £250
You need to consider his overheads, and the fact that he has a team of restorers adding value to the item. Plus, I think you are exaggerating a little there.

But, yes, it is formulaic. Exactly the same formula as Combat Dealers in fact. But I still enjoy it.

ClockworkCupcake

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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droopsnoot said:
I must try to catch some of the new ones, see if anything has changed. EPG doesn't make it clear though.
I'm finding that on a lot of Discovery shows they prefix the title with "New: " on the EPG, which helps.

Edit: On Sky anyway.

ClockworkCupcake

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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zeb said:
Which he happily informs us he sold for a tidy profit. Good luck to the guy, clearly works hard for it, I just look wide eyed at some of the mark ups ...thats all.
It's been a lot better since they started showing the Restoration Cost on the projected profit.

In fairness, he is often very up-front and honest in his offers.

It's quite scary what kind of markup you need to have when you have major outgoings like premises and staff. My ex ran an online business and rented a small warehouse / office, and I was stunned by the outgoings and how much stuff had to be sold at profit in order to even break even. Especially when stock can sit on the shelves for ages, tying up capital.

Also, don't forget that he often buys from people who are not VAT-registered, but has to put VAT on his prices, so is giving 20% of the price on his sales straight to the tax man.





ClockworkCupcake

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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Super Slo Mo said:
It's 16.7%, and I would imagine he is using the VAT Margin scheme so only pays the VAT on the difference between his buying and selling price.
Sorry, yes, fair point. Basic maths error on my part. paperbag

ClockworkCupcake

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Wednesday 15th February 2017
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SydneyBridge said:
I have been to his shop in Liberty a few years ago, but don't think it is there any more
He also has a separate car selling business

http://www.dpclassics.co.uk/
Blimey, does he still have that VW static engine for sale? He bought that on Salvage Hunters ages ago!

Just shows how much money gets tied up in stock for extended periods of time.

http://www.dpclassics.co.uk/collections/automobili...

ClockworkCupcake

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Wednesday 15th February 2017
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Fort Jefferson said:
Drew reminds me of the Harry Enfield character who runs a shop called "I saw you coming"
That's not how he comes across to me at all.

Clockwork Cupcake

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Friday 16th August 2019
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wildone63 said:
Ive noticed in the last few series the van is always driven by his mate Tee,i wonder if Drew is banned?
I don't think I have ever seen Drew drive the van in any episode, and I think I've seen pretty much all of them.

Can't say I blame him. If he's paying an employee to accompany him then he may as well employ them as a driver, given the big miles they seem to do. There's little driving enjoyment to be had in mile-munching a Luton van.

Clockwork Cupcake

Original Poster:

74,581 posts

272 months

Saturday 17th August 2019
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cologne2792 said:
Despite pointing out to his mate that he'd bought the wrong interior for the 2.0S Capri they were restoring he still managed to buy another wrong interior and proclaimed many times that it was the proper one. He seems pretty clever but I wouldn't trust his expertise on some of the finer details.
I've said it before, but I think he has a good eye for antiques, vintage, and decorative salvage, and has done well for himself there. But I don't think his modus operandi of "buy, tart up to make it 'different' and 'unique', sell for profit" really works with cars.

He's clearly a car enthusiast though.


Edited by Clockwork Cupcake on Saturday 17th August 15:26