i reckon they make more from the rights of selling the show than the shit they pick up

Agreed. More than likely the network also covers all of their everyday expenses crisscrossing the US countryside, since in reality they would be broke in less than 6 months (even with their so-called picking ability).

Take for example the Studebaker - picked for $2400 valued at $3400, they said it cost $700 to transport it back to the shop, so if they did absolutely nothing to it they might make $300.

You can't tell me they didn't have more than $300 worth of everyday expenses associated with picking that car.

Good entertainment value either way.