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Episode 13

Three antiques dealers visit a covered market in a converted bus garage in Vauvert, where they compete to find two hidden treasures each to buy and sell online for the most profit.

Antiques dealers James Gooch, Jacqui Harris and Adi Higham are on a buying trip to the south of France. Their base is a historic farmhouse in Provence - perfectly located close to some of the country’s best antiques markets. This time, the trio are heading to a covered market in a converted bus garage in Vauvert, where they compete to find two hidden treasures each to buy and sell online for the most profit.

The trio’s first challenge is to find something they know will appeal to their loyal customers and social media followers. Mechanical and militaria maven Jacqui is first to strike, picking up a Second World War trench shovel with a very reasonable asking price. As it was a tool common to troops on both sides of the conflict, she knows that, in the right condition, they’re very popular with collectors, so she’s confident she has the clients to move it quickly.

There’s no hiding Adi’s excitement when he alights on a pair of broken, and hastily repaired, Anduze pots. In better condition, they’d be well over his budget, but can he strike a deal over the phone with the absentee stallholder to ensure they go home with him? It’s an expensive risk, as the damage on the pots could put a serious dent in any potential profits.

However, damage is high-end decorative dealer James’s middle name. He’s always on the hunt for distressed pieces and finds one in a gilt mirror with foxed mercury plate glass. His lack of French-speaking skills makes haggling tricky though, so will he be able to get it for the right price?

The dealers don’t only have to contend with the language barrier and a short selling period. Each day, one of them gets the chance to turn up the pressure and set them all a challenge to shop to a specific brief. Today, it’s Adi’s turn, and he’s decided they need to scour Vauvert for something that could fit in the palm of your hand, so the search is on for tiny treasures.

With the battle on to secure a sale and make the most profit, which of our trio will come out on top?

43 minutes

Credits

Role Contributor
Nigel Havers Nigel Havers
Expert James Gooch
Expert Jacqui Harris
Expert Adrian Higham
Executive Producer Rob Butterfield
Executive Producer Rae Gilder Cooke
Series Producer Dave Martin
Production Manager Hayley Smith
Production Company Ricochet Ltd

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