Cornwall Bargain Hunt

Today's Bargain Hunt comes from Cornwall and, believe it or not,

down here, the sport of wrestling has got all its own rules.

And what's more, they've been doing this for over 3,000 years.

It's played against the clock,

and it takes skill and determination.

And the most important piece of clothing is the distinctive jacket.

It's a bit like another game I know.

So come on, let's go Bargain Hunting.

Today's fair is at the Royal Cornwall Showground, near Wadebridge.

With hundreds of stalls, there's plenty to choose from here.

Our teams have £300 and one hour

to scour this fair for bargains,

but can they make a profit at auction?

Let's see what's coming up.

The Reds get personal...

How much are your legs, please?

THEY LAUGH

..the Blues get feisty...

He has a fiery look about him, hasn't he?

-A bit like you.

-Yes, absolutely.

THEY LAUGH

..and at the auction, there are highs...

-Yes!

-Profits.

..and lows.

Oh, my God.

Well, that's all for later.

Let's meet our teams,

because today, we've got two teams of very good friends.

For the Reds, we've got Mark and Mandy

and for the Blues we've got Anya and Jenny. Hello.

-ALL:

-Hello.

That's what I like. Starting with the Reds.

Now, Mandy, you trained as a veterinary nurse,

but apparently, you're now breeding dogs, is that right?

I breed and show Ibizan Hounds.

I've bred several that have won very well at Crufts,

-and I also have a champion.

-Really?

-Crufts itself, that's amazing.

-I have.

And there's a connection with dogs between you and Mark, yeah?

Mark's wife and myself met through dogs,

through the dog showing, and then that's how I met Mark.

You've got something of a nocturnal habit,

which takes some believing, so tell me.

I'm very well-known locally for sleepwalking.

I can leave the house, unlock the door, put my trainers on,

go for a little walk around the local area,

come back, unlock the house,

go back to bed, and my husband very often doesn't even wake up.

And there's no bag of swag underneath your bed when you wake up?

No, I've never done anything inappropriate.

You've never turned to cat burglary as an excuse?

No, not at all. No.

Mark, you're also a dog lover, obviously.

That's right, Eric, we've got salukis.

Oh, they're very sort of exotic.

Yeah, they're hunting dogs. Really lovely.

You see them on Art Deco figures, don't you?

-Women being dragged along.

-Yeah, those and borzois.

They've got that kind of look about them.

But you're also a bit of a collector.

Tell me what you collect.

I kind of like toys, really. I'm a bit of a kid at heart.

I've got a collection of a few Action Men,

range from the '60s into the '70s.

Are you an action man yourself?

Not really, no.

No, I used to be a bit more sporty, but not any more.

So, you two are obviously good friends,

and you've obviously been discussing tactics, what have you come up with?

We're going to try to buy as low as possible,

and sell for the maximum profit.

But the most important thing,

-gaining the golden gavel.

-The golden gavel.

It doesn't always work that way,

but in your case, I'm going to wish you good luck and hope that it does.

Thank you. Thank you.

I turn my attention to the Blues.

I need to know, Anya, how did you two meet?

I've got a couple of horses,

and Jenny decided to ride one of them, so that's how we met.

How many horses have you got?

-Three.

-Three.

-Three. One's 30.

-Yeah?

One's six, and one's 12.

So, what is it about horses that have you so, dare I

say, sort of impassioned, is that the word?

Yes, it is, actually.

They're very independent, they have a brain,

as my husband rides motorbikes and he controls the motorbike,

the horse controls me in a way.

They are a very beautiful animal when you're close-up.

-Oh, they certainly are.

-Especially close up.

-Definitely.

-Jenny, you're a bit of a multitasker, aren't you?

-Yes.

-Not only are you a gardener, you're a tree surgeon.

-Yes.

And you also have what might be described as

a somewhat dangerous pastime.

Yes.

-Rodeo riding.

-Rodeo...

-Seriously?

-Yes.

On a real horse? Not one of those...

No, no, the real thing.

Now, that strikes me as being something of a dangerous occupation.

Yes, it is dangerous. It's...

After breaking a few ribs and a few broken arms,

you kind of learn how to roll when you fall,

and once you learn how to roll,

you just roll up and bounce straight back on again, it's great fun.

I think I'll stick to donkey derbies.

Yes, I think you'll be safer.

So, you two are obviously good friends,

so what have you come up with for your tactics?

Basically, to buy as cheap as possible, ruthlessly low,

and get a good price for it, because we want the golden gavel.

You do!

-I wish you both luck as well.

-Thank you.

If you're going to come good with your tactics, teams,

you're going to need some money.

-So, £300 for you.

-Thank you.

-£300 for yourselves.

-Thank you very much.

Off you go and meet your experts.

-Thank you!

-OK.

Well, I think we've got some real competition on our hands today.

I just hope there's no horsing around.

We've lined up a couple of very talented experts for our teams.

She's at of the top of her game.

For the Red team, it's Caroline Hawley.

And he's a giant of the antiques world.

For the Blues, it's Ben Cooper.

So, Mark, what are you looking for today?

-Well, Caroline, I'm really looking for some toys.

-Yeah?

If I'm not lucky on that front, I'll probably go for

some interesting glassware, or something like that.

Looking for something that jumps out in front of me.

And what about you?

Some pretty jewellery,

or possibly something very nice made out of wood.

-Anya?

-Art Deco.

I adore Art Deco.

ENGINE REVS

You're under starter's orders, teams,

because your 60 minutes starts now. BUZZER

-Shall we go shopping?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Come on.

-Shall we go?

-OK.

These teams have quite some shopping lists,

but there's a great mix of objects on offer,

so let's get started.

And it looks like something has leapt out at the Blues already.

Just there. Those horses. Please.

Let's have a look. These are the leather ones, aren't they?

They're with an antiqued leather.

They're not new.

You can see how the leather has aged a little on the side.

How old would you say they were?

I'd have thought something in the last 20, 30 years.

They could well be Spanish.

Spaniards love their horses,

and they're well-known for their leather-making.

So I'd have thought they were made as a sort of, you know,

decorative, touristy kind of item.

What do you think?

Don't like that one, don't like his face.

I do like that one. He's got a fiery look about him, hasn't he?

-A bit like you.

-Yes, absolutely.

THEY LAUGH

So, Anya, you're looking more perplexed.

Yeah, I am, actually. Now I've seen them...

-No?

-No. No.

Definitely not.

May I make an offer?

-Yes.

-Yeah.

£15.

I'll take 18.

-16.

-16, go on, then.

-OK, done.

-Well, there you go, that was quick.

-You want that one?

-Yeah.

-All right.

-She just bought it.

-She's just bought it, hasn't she?

Yes, she did. You'd better shake the gentleman's hand.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-I didn't even know she'd bought it!

THEY LAUGH

Anya, I think it's time, for the next one,

-for you to take a bit of control.

-I think I'd better!

-Otherwise we'll be done...

-In two minutes.

-Well, in ten minutes.

-Yeah, exactly.

-There we go.

Right, anyway, let's head off.

We've still got around about 59 and a half minutes to go.

OK.

And they're off.

Well, that's one way to shop.

Jenny is galloping away,

and it seems the Reds are getting a bit cheeky.

How much are your legs, please?

THEY LAUGH

Sorry, sorry. Shall I reword that?

Shall I reword that slightly?

How much are these legs, please?

£100.

£100.

What's it made of? What're they made of?

Gold.

THEY LAUGH

1930s table, taken apart, top and bottom,

and just a pair of mannequin legs.

I think £100 is, probably, I don't know what you think,

-I think it's a little bit...

-It's a bit too much.

Although it's nice, I like it, I think it's interesting,

but I think at that sort of price...

-£70.

-All right.

I think we might think about it at 70.

And if no-one's going to take it away immediately...

..I think it's worth, is it worth thinking about?

Yeah, of course it is.

-All right.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

Let's move on and see what we can see now.

They are impressive legs, but don't put your feet up, Reds.

Meanwhile, the Blues are still racing around the showground.

-Come on, then.

-Oh, off we go.

-Right.

-She's on a mission.

-What about...?

-Oh.

-What's...?

-Something's caught her eye.

-What about that one, Jen?

-It's quite nice.

-It's nice, isn't it?

-Ben?

-That is a nice lamp.

You like Art Deco?

Yes, I definitely do.

-It's certainly an Art Deco base to this.

-What's the price?

It's £135.

-Certainly wouldn't pay that for it, but never mind.

-Mm.

Different green, though, isn't it?

That's the trouble.

It is a slightly different green, but it is a very elegant lamp.

-It looks like it's been rewired for modern usage.

-Yes.

And the way she's done...

I think she looks beautiful, actually. She does look beautiful, doesn't she?

-And looking at the light fittings...

-I wouldn't quite say beautiful.

I didn't like your horse, but you bought it.

Well, actually, I'm not telling you not to buy it.

No, I know you're not.

-Do you want to ask for the best price...?

-I will actually.

-You're going to have to get the price down dramatically.

-I will.

Cos that's not going to make that at auction.

No, no, no. If it doesn't do half-price,

-then we'll look for something else.

-Less than half price.

-Have a word.

-Yeah.

-It's your turn, Anya.

-OK.

Go and see the gentleman and see what he says.

OK, thank you.

So, Jenny, do you think her haggling skills

-are going to be anywhere near a patch of yours?

-No.

-No?

-No.

She's not as bold as I am.

But it's her turn.

It's her turn, though, no, I want her to have a go.

-This is what it's all about.

-Oh, she's coming back.

Yeah, slight disappointment.

-Yes?

-£100.

-No.

-No?

-No.

-Well, actually, this is your deal.

-We can always come back.

We can always come back, we know where it is.

And if we're running out of time at the end,

we can always have another chat with the dealer,

see if he's got any more movement in the price.

But I think we should head off.

He's a very wise man.

So, let's see if anything has caught the eye of the Reds yet.

Look at the telephone table, there.

-I mean, that is so...

-Oh, yeah.

-Horrible.

-...mid-century... Well, or mid-century modern.

To be fair, I like the telephone on the top.

-The table, I'm not so struck on.

-No?

-Guys?

-Yeah?

-I don't want to worry you,

but apart from the legs, there's nothing...

Nothing that's really exciting us.

-No.

-No.

-No, not so far.

-So we need to get a lick on.

-Yeah, yeah, OK.

-Chop, chop!

-You're definitely right.

Ooh, say that again, nobody ever said I was definitely right.

-You're definitely right, Caroline.

-You'll have to tell my husband that.

I always agree with Caroline, and she's definitely right.

The Reds need to get a move on, as we are 20 minutes in.

But it looks like the Blues have spotted something nautical.

-Do they function?

-The thing is, though,

I'm sure these will almost certainly be well out of the price bracket.

-£380.

-No, no, no. No way.

-Yeah.

-Moving on. Moving on.

-THEY LAUGH

At £380, it's too expensive, so they're not hanging around.

The Reds are trying their luck indoors,

and they're onto something straightaway.

-Ooh.

-Oh.

Now, are those the sorts of thing you like?

-Yes.

-Yeah?

-They are. Soda siphons, yeah.

They look nice displayed like that, don't they?

They look good.

£48 on them.

Oh, yeah?

-Yeah.

-Says half a dozen.

And I think for that, we could get him down a bit,

if that's for the whole lot.

-Is that something to ask about?

-Maybe, maybe...

Maybe we'll stroll back, I think maybe we do the zig-ziggy-zigzag.

-Ziggy-zigzag.

-Yeah, OK.

Ziggy-zigzag is a new term for scanning more stalls,

so off they go.

Meanwhile, the Blues have found something rather intriguing.

Oh, look at this!

-What's that?

-Medical.

Surgical instruments are a world of their own.

There are specific collectors for them.

It always amazes me, the money that they command.

-How old are they?

-I would have thought, from looking at the box,

earlier part of the 20th century.

And what's the price?

-75.

-75.

But what's it used for, though?

I'm not quite sure what they were for.

It kind of worries me.

Do you have an idea? No, I don't want to know your idea.

-No, you don't want to know.

-Excuse me.

You don't know what they are, yourself?

-For...dealing with men?

-Yes.

-No way!

-Oh, no!

-Think so, yes.

Oh, wow!

I think the technical term is urethral dilators, Ben.

Anyway. I'm slightly lost for words at that.

But they are a lovely bit of medical scientific engineering.

It wouldn't be a collectors' piece, wouldn't it?

You have to... There are collectors.

I mean, I've seen scientific and medical instruments

make a lot of money.

-I mean, it is nice.

-It is actually very nice.

Obviously, the box says,

"Walter Lawley, surgical equipment maker in London."

And each item is stamped Walter Lawley.

So they are all there.

-They're genuine.

-How much would they make in an auction?

Probably an auctioneer would put quite a wide estimate on them,

so it could be a sort of £30 to £60 kind of thing.

Ah.

Would you take £20 for them?

No, I can't. I could do £50.

OK, what about £40?

You might as well, cos you don't know what they're used for.

So you could be buying something that you don't even know

-what they are.

-I could go £45.

£42.

-Deal.

-Lovely, thank you.

-Thank you.

We went for quite a bit, then, didn't we, really?

You both have this habit, we're just talking,

and then you start diving in for offers.

-Anyway, you bought it.

-Now, do you think that's a good buy, though?

It's one of these sort of unknowns.

I reckon it should wash its face and hopefully make a bit.

What do you think?

-Pot luck, really.

-Pot luck, isn't it?

-Yeah, it's pot luck.

But while both teams continue searching,

I've been having a bit of a browse myself,

and I've found something that is Cornish through-and-through.

Now, this is a fantastic collection of Newlyn Copper.

You've got all manner of objects being made.

You've got a chamber stick, you've got rose bowls,

you've got trays,

you've got a lovely inkwell and cover.

And it all goes back to the year 1890.

At that time, the fishing industry in this part of the world

was having a difficult time.

Especially in the winter, when the fleet couldn't put out to sea.

So you found yourself with an awful lot of fishermen

with absolutely no income.

Along comes a man called John Drew Mackenzie, an artist.

And the idea was basically to train local fishermen to work with copper

and to make useful and decorative items

that they could then sell,

and therefore make themselves an income.

Now, Mackenzie wanted to follow the principles

of the arts & craft movement that was prevalent at that time,

and that believed in handmade objects.

Objects of quality.

And this particular inkwell sports beautiful hinges.

Wonderful decoration.

Some of the early pieces didn't carry a stamp mark,

they would often just carry a paper label

signed by the coppersmith responsible.

But if you are out there collecting,

you do need to really look for a stamp mark.

And unlike a lot of other people involved in metalwork,

they didn't put their stamp on the reverse of that piece,

they were very proud to show it on top of the piece,

as you can see here.

Now, the work is primarily using a technique called repousse work,

and that involves hammering out a design on the reverse,

which is normally laid on top of a soft metal

that obviously gave way when the piece was being hammered out.

The end result is a wonderful design like this.

They specialised in fish.

Sometimes they're quite mythical, sometimes they're quite comical,

and sometimes they're quite correct.

And Newlyn copper has become highly desirable,

and consequently very collectable.

So when it comes to the prices of Newlyn copper,

what might you be expected to pay?

Well, for a little dish like this with a single fish, £195.

The fish are getting bigger and so are the prices,

that's £350.

But should you want an inkwell, then the chances are

you're going to be paying the best part of £450.

But the important thing to remember

is that you're not just buying a piece of copper,

you're actually buying an important part of Cornish social history.

Time to get back to our teams.

They're over halfway through,

and the Blues have raced ahead with two items.

These two are quite extraordinary.

They dive in, look at something,

and in the middle of you discussing it,

one goes off and buys it, the other one goes, "Oh!"

And so, they're both quite happy about it.

But there's not exactly team work, at the moment.

They just fire from the hip.

But the relaxed Reds haven't found a thing.

Gosh, Mark and Mandy,

I thought that they would be really decisive

and buy things straightaway.

But no.

No, no, no. They haven't bought one thing.

We need to step on it.

-Yeah, OK.

-OK.

-OK?

-Yeah.

And it looks like the Blues now have Ben running around.

-Where are you running to?

-We're going to try inside.

You're going to try inside?

-Yeah, because...

-Anya would like to have a look inside.

-We've got a bit of money, so...

-You wanted to buy... Right?

Something with, like, a wow factor.

The wow factor sounds good to me,

but have the Reds found anything yet?

Please say yes!

Just look at these.

I mean, these used to be...

-..£80.

-Yeah.

£90.

-They've got a pusher, there.

-OK, all right.

Do you know what that's for?

-To push the candle up?

-Yeah.

-So as it winds down, you can push it...

-Yeah, yeah.

-Has that got it as well?

-Yeah.

-Yeah, yeah.

Now, I think these are absolutely for nothing at £10.

-Yeah.

-If they were £8, they'd be even better.

Well, I just think they are so cheap, it almost annoys me.

Yeah, yeah.

And the reason people don't want them

-is cos they can't be bothered to polish them.

-Yeah.

-But these...

These are already polished.

-Well, they are, but they'd come up even better.

-Yes.

I honestly think at ten quid, or probably less, you can't walk away.

-I do. I like... The thing is I actually like them, as well.

-Yeah.

So they're £10.

Is that the best price?

I could probably help you a little bit.

I could probably knock off... I could do them at £7, probably.

-Seven?

-Yeah.

-Sounds good to me.

-Excellent.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

It's a deal! Wow, your first buy!

Yes!

What a relief.

With 39 minutes on the clock, they have item one.

Now, what do the Blues have in mind for their wow factor purchase?

It's what kind of jumps out in front of me.

-Yeah, so...

-Something is going to jump out in front of me in a minute,

I'm sure it will.

Can they find something that will leap out at them?

Meanwhile, what have the Reds spotted?

Ooh, do you do a bit of baking, Mark?

-I do, actually, I like it.

-Do you?

Yes, I do. And I think that looks like a penguin,

and I know Mandy loves penguins.

-Oh, look at that.

-Mandy, do you collect penguins?

I do. I have 3,000 penguins.

-3,000?

-She has 3,000.

-Are you joking?

-No, no.

-Not real, not real.

Like, everything you can imagine as a penguin.

-3,000?!

-Yeah, 3,000 of them.

-That...

-That's so cute.

-That looks from the 1960s.

-I think so.

And it's got the little recipe for the cookies underneath,

all in ounces.

-Isn't that cute?

-Gorgeous.

-I love it.

-Well spotted, Mark.

Look at that, it's even got the original four and 11.

-Lovely.

-How much is that in new money, four and 11?

-I don't know.

-I don't know.

-Oh, I really like those.

It's about 60p, team.

There's £8 pounds on the bottom.

-Do you want me to go and see the stall owner?

-Yes, please.

-Do you want me to go and buy them?

-Yes, please.

-I will, thank you.

Those cutters have caused temperatures to rise,

so while Caroline goes off to do the deal,

the Blues are back outside.

Has anything stirred their interest?

You see those spoons, Jenny?

-Those big spoons.

-These spoons here?

Are they silver?

Those look as if they'll all be silver.

The very large ones are called a basting spoon.

So, they're for basting.

Would they be individual, or would that be a set?

They'd be individual. You might have pairs.

You don't get sets of them.

Are you interested in looking at something like that?

-No, not really.

-No.

What are you interested in looking at?

-Not spoons.

-Not spoons.

-No.

Ben, these girls bought urethral dilators.

They're not impressed by spoons.

Meanwhile, what is the news on the cookie cutters?

So, they'll do it for a fiver.

Will you accept that?

-Yes.

-Yes, definitely.

Yes! Second item bought! Woohoo!

We're in there.

That's a lot of excitement over a set of cookie cutters.

But they've finally caught up.

With 20 minutes to go,

both teams now have two items

and are on the home straight.

And have the Blues finally found something they both agree on?

Oh, look, that's pretty.

-I like that.

-That's quite nice, yes.

I don't mind that. That's OK.

What sort of price is that?

Don't know, I can't see.

How much have you got on your condiments set?

-200 on that one.

-£200?

-Yeah.

It's Scottish, Edinburgh silver.

-It always has a premium price to it.

-Right.

By the look of things, it's also complete.

What do you think it'll fetch at auction?

At auction, I reckon it would be something like a...

It's be a wideish estimate, 150, 180, something like that.

Now, these hallmarks aren't just on the bottom there.

Because this is made in many pieces, the next level up,

-has again you've got the hallmarks there.

-Oh, I see.

-So, each piece...

-Oh, I really like that.

-...has a corresponding hallmark.

Yeah, it's different. It is different.

And so, when you get to the bottles, each one has the hallmarks.

So, then you know the whole set's together,

it's not what we call a marriage.

What would be your lowest price?

My best on that's going to be 160.

I'm sorry, it's quite close to the price I paid for it,

so I'm trying to be as helpful as I can to you.

-Right.

-It's just the nature of it.

-Because you've got the...

-That or my light?

I think that'll make more money than the light.

-Do you think so?

-I personally prefer this to the light.

-I do.

-Yeah, I do.

-What you want to do? You said to me...

Yeah, I tell you what, I think we'll go for it.

-You're going to go for it?

-Yeah, I think so.

-You sure?

-Yeah.

-You said...

-What do you think?

No, I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole, but if you want it...

No, no, no, no, no.

It's what's going to make the money, isn't?

-Yeah.

-And we haven't got time left.

-Go on, then, buy it.

-Yeah. We'll take it.

Yep. Shake the lady's hand.

-Job done. Grudgingly.

-Sorry.

-That's all right.

-Sorry.

Thank you very much for being patient.

-No problem.

-Well, you've done it, girls.

All three items.

There's been a little fight.

-Yes.

-Why don't we just go chill out,

enjoy the sunshine and leave the Reds to battle out their last bits?

Yep, they need to get a move on.

The Reds have only nine minutes to buy their final item.

What are you thinking about the soda siphons?

I think we should go back and look.

-Are you sure?

-I really liked them.

-Do you like them?

-Yes.

-Let's go, go, go.

Quick, quick.

-Here they are.

-I like these.

-One for yourself.

-Oh, thank you very much.

Could you tell us something about them, please?

So, basically, before the days of canned drinks,

you used to have your soda water,

and they were used as mixers for spirits.

And how old would they be?

-They started in the 1930s, these are later ones.

-Yeah.

These are probably from the '60s.

Right. So, what would your very best price be on the six?

I could take you down to 36?

-Really?

-Happy with that?

-Bearing in mind, there's six bottles and the case.

-Yeah.

That's only £6 each.

-It's not bad.

-How about 30, and making it £5 each?

That sounds excellent.

I would rather do 35.

That would be the best, I'm afraid.

Can we not squeeze you just slightly more?

-I don't want to...

-I'd do 32, but that would be the very best.

-Lovely.

-OK. I think that sounds excellent.

-£5 each and £2 for the case.

-£2 for the case, fantastic.

-Is that a yes?

-That's a yes.

-Is that a yes?

-Yes.

-Yes.

Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

The finishing post is in sight.

Teams, it's time to stop shopping.

All done. Come on, let's go.

Let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought.

They snapped up this pair of Victorian candlesticks

for just £7.

Will this nostalgic set of 1960s cookie cutters

cut it at the auction?

They were £5.

And can they start a party with the vintage soda siphons and crate,

bought for £32?

Well, a bit of a slow start,

but you really went for it in the last 20 minutes, yes?

-Yes!

-Yes.

-Yeah. Well, Mandy,

I need to know, what's your favourite object?

The cookie cutters, cos there's a penguin in there.

Which, do you think, of the items you bought

is going to give you the biggest profit?

The cookie cutters, cos of the penguin.

Oh, really? OK! All right. All right.

What about yourself, Mark?

Cookie cutters as well.

Love them. I like the box, though.

I like the artwork on the box.

-You do?

-Yes.

-But come on,

what do you think will give you the biggest profit?

The brass candlesticks, I think.

Oh, good. That was your first buy.

-Yes.

-Now, just remind me how much you spent?

A massive £44.

-£44.

-Yes!

So, that tells me you're going to give me in return £256.

-There you go.

-Which stays with me for a brief moment,

-cos I'll pass it now to Caroline for the bonus buy.

-Thank you!

I've seen a few things.

But I'm going to keep shtoom for the moment.

While Caroline keeps shtoom but goes spending,

let's remind ourselves what the Blue team bought.

Jenny put her money on a Spanish leather horse.

It was £16.

Anya went for the unusual

early 20th century medical instruments for £42.

And they sort of agreed

on the Edinburgh marked silver condiment set

at a mighty £160.

Now, ladies, you may be great mates,

but you didn't always agree out there, today.

-Definitely not.

-I'm sorry!

But having said that, did you enjoy yourselves?

-Very much.

-You did?

-Very much.

-Very much. Loved it.

-Excellent.

-It was very good.

-Very good.

Jenny, I'd like to know your favourite item today?

I think it's the leather horse.

-The leather horse?

-Yes.

But which of the three items you bought do you think's

going to give you the biggest profit?

-I think the horse.

-Oh, the horse?

-Yes, I do. Yes.

Anya, where do you go on this?

The medical instruments.

OK. But which of the three's going to give you the biggest profit?

I would say Jenny's horse.

-You think so?

-Yes, I would.

-OK.

-Yes.

-Remind me how much you spent, ladies?

£218.

That's a formidable spend!

I mean, you were spending with conviction today.

-Yes.

-The last item, yes.

So, you're going to give me £82 in the leftover lolly?

-Yes.

-Lovely!

It goes straight to Ben.

You got your eye on anything out there for the bonus buy?

I haven't got a clue at the moment,

but I'm going to try and spend as much as I can,

I think that's my mission.

OK. So, while Ben goes off to spend as much as he can,

we're going off to the auction.

Well, we've come to Plymouth and you find us in Eldred's Auction House,

where I'm join by auctioneer himself Anthony Eldred.

-Hello.

-Welcome to you.

-Good to see you, Eric.

-Glad to be here.

Right, getting down to business,

let's have look at our Red team.

This is Mark and Mandy.

Now, their first buy is a pair of brass candlesticks.

What do you think?

We do see an awful lot of them, but they're in good condition.

No reason why they won't sell.

Right, well, what do you reckon, then?

£5-£10.

I think there're in with a fighting chance, cos they paid £7.

Well, that's not bad. That's not bad.

No, it's not. It's not indeed.

What are you like on cookie cutters in animal forms?

-Well, the bonus is they're in their box.

-Yes.

With all the cooking and baking programmes,

I'm sure somebody will want them.

So, how much?

I don't think they're going to be a big seller.

I think, probably, we're still under £10.

£3 or £4, perhaps £5.

Well, they paid £5 for it.

So again, they're in a pretty good chance.

-We're in the same ball park.

-Yeah, we are.

Then, this is just two from a sort of set of six siphons.

All in clear glass, and they are various makers, but, I mean,

they can be very attractive, can't they,

when they're in displays and...?

Yes, I mean, there are people that collect these things,

and they want to collect all the names of all the breweries

and all the drink sellers, so I hope we'll find somebody for them.

Where we going on the estimate for this one?

Six bottles, in their box, I think £20-£30 is sensible.

Right, they paid £32.

So it sounds as though the team are going to need their bonus buy.

So, let's take a look at it.

You left Caroline £256 to go and spend.

So, Caroline, tell us all.

Well, it's something you'd seen earlier.

Oh, my God! Oh, my God!

Do you remember this?

-Yes.

-Yes, we do.

-Yes, we do.

They're interesting.

We did think they were stylish.

-Yes.

-But?

But we were quite glad we didn't buy them, on the day!

-Oh, no!

-How much did you actually pay for them?

You look so worried.

-£50.

-OK.

-Oh!

-That's not too bad.

So, do they look more attractive to you?

Kind of, yes, kind of.

You could paint them a different colour,

if you don't like this colour.

But I think they'd be just great

in the corner of a room with a lamp on it, or your coffee on it.

I just think it's lovely!

What do you think they might make at auction, Caroline?

I think you might be surprised.

-Really?

-Yes.

-I hope so.

THEY LAUGH

I think they might make 75.

OK, all right. OK.

-Yeah. Fingers crossed. It could be all right.

-Legs crossed!

Well, you're looking very worried, you two, I have to say.

But do remember, you don't have to make your minds up now.

You do that after you've sold your first three lots.

But meanwhile, let's find out

what the auctioneer has to say about Caroline's bonus buy.

Well, this is one of our more unusual bonus buys,

what do you think of it?

Well, it's certainly one of the most shapely items I've ever had to sell.

Look good in a modern flat, perhaps, or for a student.

-Mm-hm.

-I think it's great fun.

So what's your estimate for a shapely table?

I think it's going to make £40-£60.

-Oh, right.

-Could even do a little better.

Bang in the middle. Caroline paid £50 for it.

So in with a chance with that one.

-I think so.

-OK.

Well, that's the Reds.

Let's have a look at the Blues, which is Anya and Jenny.

First off, they went out and bought a rearing horse, leather covered.

Do you get many of these in your part of the world?

No, I'd have to say I haven't seen anything quite like that before.

Probably continental, I suspect.

Made for the tourist trade, I think.

Yeah. And what do you reckon it, from a money point of view?

Well, it's decorative.

I suppose it's going to make £5-£10.

Five to ten. They went and paid £16 for that, so we'll watch,

wait and see. But the second item is this...

Let's describe them as medical instruments, OK?

Of a very delicate nature.

So, they're in their original case.

What are your thoughts there?

It's not really something that would appeal to a lot of people,

but there are collectors for medical instruments.

Yes, there are.

So, I have no reason to think we won't sell them.

But for how much?

We've put an estimate of £10-£20.

They paid 42, so that might be a bit of a long haul.

But like you say,

it's a niche market and it'll be interesting to see how that goes.

Well, the third item is the silver cruet set,

nice and neat and a good make.

-What are your thoughts?

-I like it.

I think it's a nice, smart little object, silver, always popular,

a little oil and vinegar bottle and another one on their stand,

all in nice condition,

and I think probably, we will get at least £40 - £60 for it.

40-60. OK.

Well, they paid £160 for that.

That is a lot.

We've been a little conservative, but that is a lot of money.

I think we'd struggle to get that far.

It's a big ask, do you think?

I think so.

It may be that they're going to need their bonus buy,

so let's have a look at it.

Well, you're left then, £82.

So, Ben, what did you go out and spend it on?

I was determined to try and spend a decent sum of money,

and so I ended up finding this.

-Oh!

-Oh, that's... Yeah.

-Ooh.

So, it's a Japanese lacquer jewellery box.

I reckon that the box dates to around 1920s, 1930s.

And there is a little bit of damage.

You can just see a little bit on the corner, there.

But overall, it's in good condition,

cos lacquer is quite a fragile material.

You often see them in blacks and in crimson colours,

so it's quite an unusual colour.

Very classic Japanese scene.

And when you open it up, you've got all the compartments for jewellery.

There's also a drawer here at the front.

So what do you think? You don't look very convinced, girls.

I don't know. I'm quite confident about it, if I'm honest.

-You are, aren't you?

-Yes, I am. I rather like it.

How much did you pay for that?

I paid 60.

-60.

-So I...

You know, I spent a good amount of money for you.

Will it make a profit?

I have seen boxes like this make up to three figures.

-Oh, right.

-I'm not going to promise that.

-Of course.

But I think it's got a good chance.

-It could do.

-I think it's got potential.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Different to what we've bought.

-Absolutely.

-Yes.

-Completely different.

-Not difficult.

Well, just remember you don't have to make your minds up just now.

You do that after your first three items have been sold.

But meanwhile,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks

about Ben's Japanese lacquer jewellery box.

So here it is, this is Ben's buy.

What you make of that?

It's a slightly unusual colour.

It is a little lighter than the usual

sort of rather dark black and brown ones that you see.

So I think we stand a good chance of selling it.

-You do.

-Yeah.

-OK. And the estimate on that?

I think probably it will make between 20 and £30.

He paid £60 for it.

Gosh. That is a lot.

Yes, I think it'll be a big ask.

OK. You're taking the auction?

I am. Thoroughly looking forward to it.

Well, I'm looking forward to it, too.

-So, how are we feeling?

-Nervous.

-Excited.

-Good.

Well, that's a good combination, a good combination.

So, first time at auction?

-No.

-No.

-No, we go regularly to our local auction.

So, just a bit of a walk in the park for you two?

-Hopefully.

-Yeah.

With your first lot, you've got your brass candlesticks coming up.

-Yes.

-For which you've paid £7.

-Yes.

-So let's see if we can get a profit.

And a fiver for those quickly, at £5, six anywhere?

At five... Six.

At £6 here, in front, stripy shirt,

at six, seven, eight, nine.

At £9.

Got to round it up to ten, surely?

At nine, ten, thank you.

At £10. Makes my job a bit easier.

I've got 12. 12.

Yes. 14.

At £14. 18 here.

At £18, still on my screen at 18.

At £18, it's 20 if you want them.

You all finished then? At £18, I'll sell them...

£18, well done!

You've made yourself a profit, there, of £11, no less.

The next item coming up is your box set of the cake cutters.

-Yes.

-You only paid £5 for them.

-Yeah.

-And at the end of the day...

Fingers crossed, fingers crossed.

-Yeah.

-Let's get on a roll, shall we?

-Yeah.

A couple of pounds for those.

-A pound for them.

-Come on!

-Come on!

Got to be worth a pound, there they are, look, a pound.

He makes mean cookies, this man, at £1.

-Two.

-MARK:

-They're awesome!

-£2. Three!

They're worth a fiver of anyone's money!

Four! Five.

We're flying now. At £5.

Against the wall at five.

Six. £6!

£6.

Yes!

Profit, profit.

Thank God. At £7.

At seven, eight. He's back again, look.

£8. £8! Against the wall, halfway down.

-This is getting heady.

-At £8.

Save him, somebody. At £8 only, then.

Against the internet, nine.

-Nine!

-He's there, look, he's there.

£9. Round it up to ten.

At £9, then, sell them at nine...

-Fantastic!

-Well done!

You made a £4 profit.

Add that to the 11 you've already made,

-and you've got a rolling profit, there, of £15.

-Yes!

So, it's getting better, it's getting better.

Your various glass soda siphons, for which you paid £32.

-Yes.

-Your lot's coming up now.

-Lovely.

Soda siphons, and a tenner for those.

Ten I'm bid, back of the room at ten.

20 now. Bidding's online at £20.

Good advertising lot at £20, 22.

At £22, you're all quiet in the room.

-At £22.

-Come on, come on.

-It's all on screen at the moment.

At £22. It's an internet bid.

-Your very last chance then, at £22.

-No!

I'm going to sell them...

ALL: Oh, no!

What a shame. What a shame.

£22 is a £10 loss.

OK. So, you were already on plus 15.

No, listen, you're still in profit,

because by the time we take that away from the previous,

we've got ourselves a £5 profit.

So, £5 profit

moves us to the question of the bonus buy.

-You choose.

-I'd go for it.

Cos we've got nothing to lose.

-No.

-No gavel.

-No. Might as well.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

You go in with your legs, Caroline.

Well, let's hope that this one walks it for you.

Here we are, pay attention. This is it!

Go on, get the ball rolling, surely.

Somebody, £20?

Tenner?

Ten, I'm bid, back of the room.

12. 15.

18. 20.

Two. At £22 here.

-Come on, more.

-No.

-Come on.

At £22.

-All finished, then, at £22.

-Oh, no!

You're out online. All done.

-Oh!

-I'm so sorry.

What a shame.

That has given us a minus £28.

Take away the fiver you were already in the positive,

and we're down to minus £23.

It's not the end of the world!

It's the end of the world.

No, it's not the end of the world! Not a word to the Blues,

and just remember, that could be a winning score.

Everything is now in the lap of the gods.

Definitely. Definitely. Just got to pray.

Yeah, a little bit of that.

Positive thinking, that's what we're about.

Because your first item's coming up.

It is the rearing horse.

-Oh, yes.

-Yes, let's keep our fingers crossed that there's a nice profit

to be had on that. Either way, it's coming up now.

£5 for that, surely?

£5. Five I'm bid, back of the room at five.

-I'll take six.

-Come on, it's leather.

I'm bid eight. Bid £8 online.

At eight. Ten if you want it.

Will it on. Just keep willing it. Will it.

In the room at £10, here.

Thank you, sir. Against you online, now,

at £10, he's hovering.

12. 12 now.

14 if you like. 14.

At £14 here.

You're out online.

-Oh, come on, let's get 16.

-All done, then, at £14.

Quite sure? £14.

Well, listen, I thought you were about to win.

I thought it would have come in first, but either way,

it's only a loss of minus £2.

-For now.

-For now.

Right, this is your next lot coming up.

You paid £42.

Let's see if we can get a profit.

A set of 12 medical instruments.

A fiver, quickly.

Five, six, eight, ten, 12.

At £12.

-Come on, more than that.

-At the very back.

They're in their case, you know.

£12. 15 online.

At £15.

At £15, for medical instruments.

Quite sure? The bidding's online, than, at £15,

and I will sell for 15.

£15.

-Oh, gosh!

-Oh, what a shame.

Minus 27, I'm afraid.

Add your minus two, you're now at minus 29,

but you have got that cruet set coming up.

And you paid £160 for it, and it's coming up...now.

And I'm bid £40 for it, against you all in the room at 40.

Five. 50. Five, 60,

Five, seated there, 70.

Five, at 75...

-£75.

-At 75 here.

You're all done, then, at £75?

Last chance. Nothing online?

At £75, I'll sell it.

Oh! Ouch.

Minus £85,

which is giving us a total of minus £114.

OK. You've got the option of the bonus buy.

We're going for it.

And that is a joint decision?

-Yes.

-Yes.

Well, we can either sink into total oblivion,

-or claw back a bit of respectability.

-Yeah, exactly.

So, we've gone with the Japanese lacquer jewellery box.

It cost £60, and it's coming up now.

There it is. And fiver for that one.

Five I'm bid, £5.

At five, there, at the back.

Six, eight, ten, 12...

At £12 at the back.

At £12, then.

You're quite sure at £12?

-You're out on the net.

-No!

Back of the room,

and I'll sell it for £12.

Oh.

Sold for 12. That's minus £48.

Which gave you a final total of minus £162.

We should be proud of that.

Well, if you're going to lose, you know, lose big time.

OK. You could still win.

-Come on, let's have a... a group hug.

-Group hug.

Well, the results are in, and the bad news is

-that I'm not going to be handing out any money to either team.

-Oh.

Cos neither of you made a profit.

But the runners up, I can tell you now,

with an impressive loss of £162,

is the Blue team!

Yes!

If you're going to do it, do it in style.

-In style!

-Exactly.

-Yes, worth it!

-But have you had fun?

-Brilliant.

-Excellent.

-Actually brilliant.

-That's all we really need to know.

-Yes.

-Well, our winners today with a mere loss of £23 are our Red team.

-Yes!

-Well done!

I mean, I have to say that you could have been in profit,

had you not gone with the bonus buy.

-Sorry to say that, Caroline.

-No...

-Sorry to say that.

It was a brave move on your part, and to be fair,

I would have done the same.

But all things being equal, a jolly well done.

So, that's it for today.

Meanwhile, you can keep in touch with us on our website,

or follow us on Twitter.

But better still,

join us next time for some more bargain hunting, yes?

-ALL:

-Yes!