The main objective should be the contestants fixing up wonderful things and finding buyers (the actual HARD part). Lara, the host, helps someone in nearly every episode convince buyers and often makes the sale herself. It's a great show but this is not fair to the other team. It would be one thing if she talked about items but to get involved in the actual deal isn't fair. Overall a fun show. Being a picker AND restorer myself I always look forward to new episodes. Some people are definitely better than others and too often they have people who say, "We're awesome! We do great work." and then the pros that help do ALL of the work... The team are afraid of tools. Overall though most people have great ideas and do a good job.
37 Reviews
Fun, energetic. Albeit slightly misleading.
intrepidami7 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
It usually has couples competing to win a $5000 prize. They scour an ANTIQUE show to find old junk, and re-purpose it. The concept is pay as little as possible, fix it up and sell it for as much as possible. They set up at a NYC flea market and seemingly get ridiculous, unheard of prices.
Cute, but is it real? Well I've seen people really spend a lot of time and effort re-purposing things into fantastic pieces at the very same flea markets, and take weeks and weeks to get their asking price. Here they quickly create 3 items, and usually sell all of them! So are these contestants just so much better at it than people who've been doing it their whole life for their livelihood? Or is something else factoring in here? Answer, Something else is definitely factoring in! Pssssst "hey, want to be on TV? Than go buy that bar from Lara Spencer and those two contestants." , But it's $300!", Ahh go offer em $200 and Lara will sign it", Hmmmm? "You'll be able to show all your friends you were on flea market flip" That's what actually happens, I've witnessesed it.The show makes it seem like anybody could just load up a truck with re-purposed creations and go to NYC and sell stuff for $100-$1000 apiece all day long, huh? Not unless you bring a celebrity along to pose with, and autograph your pieces, sorry.
One of my favorite comments by a contestant dissing their competition was "Alls they did was take a ladder and add a light?" It was basically true! You can go buy old ladders, $30, attach a light $5....viola! I can't see anybody paying more that $35, unless they're totally clueless and just won the lottery.
Cute, but is it real? Well I've seen people really spend a lot of time and effort re-purposing things into fantastic pieces at the very same flea markets, and take weeks and weeks to get their asking price. Here they quickly create 3 items, and usually sell all of them! So are these contestants just so much better at it than people who've been doing it their whole life for their livelihood? Or is something else factoring in here? Answer, Something else is definitely factoring in! Pssssst "hey, want to be on TV? Than go buy that bar from Lara Spencer and those two contestants." , But it's $300!", Ahh go offer em $200 and Lara will sign it", Hmmmm? "You'll be able to show all your friends you were on flea market flip" That's what actually happens, I've witnessesed it.The show makes it seem like anybody could just load up a truck with re-purposed creations and go to NYC and sell stuff for $100-$1000 apiece all day long, huh? Not unless you bring a celebrity along to pose with, and autograph your pieces, sorry.
One of my favorite comments by a contestant dissing their competition was "Alls they did was take a ladder and add a light?" It was basically true! You can go buy old ladders, $30, attach a light $5....viola! I can't see anybody paying more that $35, unless they're totally clueless and just won the lottery.
Make something else
mitchryder195316 April 2018
Too much cheesy trash talking
fancyknotscollectables8 August 2019
Make Laura go away
msmarttin10 May 2021
It's nice to see from the reviews I'm not the only one that feels this way I love the show because I love to repurpose things and it's given me some great ideas but .Laura gives way too many tips to the contestants and like someone else said she'll step in and make the sale for them it's not fair and it's annoying. And like another reviewer said how about letting them have a little bit more creativity and stop making chairs and bookcases and coffee tables.
Lara GO AWAY!
dpetras-9117120 May 2018
Great concept, poor execution
bsobol-188053 April 2016
Never before have I written a review about a TV show... but I simply must speak my mind on this one.
This show is great in concept. And despite its flaws, I watch it and get some inspiration from it. As a picker and furniture restyler, this is right up my alley. However! It is completely unrealistic. In what universe does an upcycler have a team of master contractors with unlimited tools to help them? And the extra $100 they get to embellish the projects aren't even factored in to the overall cost. I would be much more impressed if the contestants had to do ALL of the work themselves, and had to pick out ALL of their materials at the flea market. (Speaking of the master contractors, the less camera time on them, the better!) But the worst part is probably the host, Lara Spencer. She is annoying! She rudely interrupts people and butts in where she shouldn't. She's condescending to the contestants, many of whom have flipped hundreds of pieces and really don't need her advice. Not only does she interfere with the design process, she interferes when the contestants are shopping for their pieces, and during the selling phase. I just saw an episode where she is actually negotiating the selling price with a prospective buyer! What?! And what's with the ridiculous short-shorts? You're on a TV show, not at the beach. Have some respect for your audience. She makes jokes that aren't funny and she just isn't interesting or entertaining. Her personality is flat.
Love the concept, but lose the contractors, replace the host, and make it a REAL competition! Maybe have a panel of judges (like on Project Runway)critique their flips instead of basing it on who makes the most profit.
This show is great in concept. And despite its flaws, I watch it and get some inspiration from it. As a picker and furniture restyler, this is right up my alley. However! It is completely unrealistic. In what universe does an upcycler have a team of master contractors with unlimited tools to help them? And the extra $100 they get to embellish the projects aren't even factored in to the overall cost. I would be much more impressed if the contestants had to do ALL of the work themselves, and had to pick out ALL of their materials at the flea market. (Speaking of the master contractors, the less camera time on them, the better!) But the worst part is probably the host, Lara Spencer. She is annoying! She rudely interrupts people and butts in where she shouldn't. She's condescending to the contestants, many of whom have flipped hundreds of pieces and really don't need her advice. Not only does she interfere with the design process, she interferes when the contestants are shopping for their pieces, and during the selling phase. I just saw an episode where she is actually negotiating the selling price with a prospective buyer! What?! And what's with the ridiculous short-shorts? You're on a TV show, not at the beach. Have some respect for your audience. She makes jokes that aren't funny and she just isn't interesting or entertaining. Her personality is flat.
Love the concept, but lose the contractors, replace the host, and make it a REAL competition! Maybe have a panel of judges (like on Project Runway)critique their flips instead of basing it on who makes the most profit.
Watch it with a grain of salt....
zigspal17 February 2015
Flea Market Flips, a show about transforming flea market junk into chic, upscale furnishings to resell for a profit.
Yes, these people make handsome profits - sometimes - but only because they don't have to pay for any of the materials (leather, upholstery fabric, paint, etc) or professional help used in transforming the items (c'mon, how many people have an arc welder at home?), nor do they have to pay to rent the space at the uber-pricey markets they resell at. It's fun to see people's ideas for remaking the items, but the money part is totally unrealistic. If you want to try it at home, bear in mind that most of these flippers wouldn't have even broken even.
Yes, these people make handsome profits - sometimes - but only because they don't have to pay for any of the materials (leather, upholstery fabric, paint, etc) or professional help used in transforming the items (c'mon, how many people have an arc welder at home?), nor do they have to pay to rent the space at the uber-pricey markets they resell at. It's fun to see people's ideas for remaking the items, but the money part is totally unrealistic. If you want to try it at home, bear in mind that most of these flippers wouldn't have even broken even.
Let's get creative!
pennyjune3 October 2017
I like this show, and Lara's enthusiasm is infectious. Lots of inspiration, also. But more creativity would be nice. Is there a way to crank it up? If I see another bar cart, I'll stop watching. Getting bored with that. I realize people need lamps and shelving, but are all these bar carts really necessary? How about some art pieces or ... be creative!
BAR CARTS EVERYWHERE!!!
defton476024 February 2021
Would be good without Lara!
reubenhersh21 January 2021
Lara ruined this show. It was good before it became "The Lara Show". She's pushy, doesn't let contestants use their own creativity, and seems to need constant attention. It's embarrassing and annoying. If you could just do the show without her and just have a narrator it'd be SO much better. LARA SHUT UP!!!
Accommodating Lara
tamdee-6956713 August 2018
Why do the contestants accommodate only Lara? They always take her boring repetitious advice. It would be far more interesting to let people use their own creativity rather than trying to satisfy Lara. Lara Spencer just ruins people's projects. It's obvious the contestants have to follow her orders. You need a better host!
Great Show Except Scripted Trash Talking
fancyknotscollectables4 January 2020
I love this show and all the creative ideas. I love Lara as the host and don't even mind that she helps. The only part that I hate is the scripted trash taking between the contestants. It's super cheesy and makes you want to cringe. If they left that part out it would be perfect.
Fantastic show!
whyslop5418 March 2018
I love this show just the way it is. I think Lara does a great job and I have learned a lot for my own flips. I have seen every episode and will I continue to watch. I highly recommend this show to anyone who wants to start flipping to see that it's fun but not always easy to do on your own.
Whats ur best price...
hartwicklax18 July 2021
Love this show bit never understand when a customer asks "what's the LOWEST you will take," and the seller actually answers them...I mean c'mon really. Why would you ever tell a buyer the lowest amount of $$$ you will accept. Let them tell you and go from there. I'll be nice and say, that's just silly, I mean really!
I agree, Laura needs to stop helping!
meekahmee20 May 2023
I used to love the show, but couldn't handle how Laura had so much say about EVERYTHING! Let the people do what they came on the show to do, not be told what to do, or have help bidding or selling. Yeah, people get creative, but it's creative doing the same projects over and over. Let's see something we haven't seen. Contestants are supposed to be creative so let's see something no one has ever done before. Maybe instead of furniture, have some home or yard decor, Just google yard decor and you find tons of cool stuff. I just want to get exited to watch the show again, it's inspired me to do more of my own projects, but it definitely needs some changes.
Great entertainment
mirelatg28 January 2021
Great entertainment- its nice to see something super simple being flipped (instead of a house which is very unrealistic).
It is a light and fun show, the only thing needed change would be forcing the contestants not to make the same itens every single episode (almost every show you'll see someone making a coffee table or a lamp )
Super recommend it.
Host needs to step back
vennerhome26 September 2020
I used to enjoy this show but it is no longer driven by the contestants. It has become Lara negotiating buying costs, directing contestants what they should do on their projects,and interfering with the selling phase. Just change the name to the Lara show. I am turning the channel.
Lara is the BEST!!
margaretyale4 October 2019
This is a cute, fun, interesting show. Host Lara Spencer is so down to earth and her love of "upcycling" really comes through and makes the show special. I love all kinds of makeover shows, people, houses, you name it! It surprises me some of the stuff people come up with, and even more what people will pay for some items I think are awful. I guess its true there's something for everyone - to each his own, right? The only thing that drives me crazy is when a contestant boasts about their negotiating skills, then takes the first price offered! But overall its a great show and I really enjoy it!
Fun show
girrlslie230 August 2020
LOVE THE SHOW AND LOVE LAURA!
izzesparks-1159224 June 2023
I can see why most would find the show annoying, but I love Laura, she does interject sometimes but she helps both sides so its fair. I dropped a star because there are WAY too many bar carts. PLEASE no more bar carts. There are so many things I see that could be made. A small greenhouse out of windows, planter boxes for rooftops or apt windows, coat racks, anything convertible that's multipurpose or even folds away, wall art or decor. Office furniture or organization system. Just so many things. But I love the show, love seeing all the different flea markets. Step it up for the new season please, force them to make new items never seen before.
Good Premise; Bad Execution
zombiemockingbird18 January 2021
It's a great idea, showing people fixing up junk and selling it for a profit, which is possible. Unfortunately, that isn't what happens. These people buy junk, use Lara's ideas, then professionals with every piece of equipment and tool known to man do the work for them and add "embellishments" that they didn't buy or plan on and that don't figure into the cost. Then they sell them for jacked-up, completely unrealistic prices that no one at a flea market would ever pay. No way, not gonna happen. Give them $500, don't tell them what to make or how many pieces, make them do their own work, and use their own ideas, and see who makes the most money. Quit using Lara's ideas, quit letting her help with negotiating buying and selling, and quit the cheesy trash-talking among contestants. Leave the contestants on their own and see if they actually have any skills; it would be a thousand times more entertaining. EDIT: I just watched an episode that convinced me this show is completely fake. One pair bought a couple of pieces for $32 that they turned into some kind of desk. The guy who originally sold them the pieces for $32, came and bought their creation, for $293!!! There is no possible way in this universe, anyone would do that. Completely unbelievable and ridiculous.
Fun diy projects come to life. Great host.
danrmr25 April 2022
Heres the deal, the show is fun, well paced, great host, unique ideas pop up and Im definitely a fan.
I see some reviews complain about how this show isn't true to their experience. Seriously? Don't they know it's a T. V. show lol.
I see some reviews complain about how this show isn't true to their experience. Seriously? Don't they know it's a T. V. show lol.
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