0:00:02 > 0:00:06'Welcome to the show that aims to put you in the know
0:00:06 > 0:00:10'when it comes to buying and selling antiques and collectables.'
0:00:10 > 0:00:14This is where we let you into some of our trade secrets.
0:00:44 > 0:00:49In today's show, we are looking with envy at the eagle-eyed amongst you
0:00:49 > 0:00:51who can spot a car-boot gem at 100 paces.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Now, is it good luck or is it good judgement?
0:00:54 > 0:00:56I don't know. Maybe it's both.
0:00:56 > 0:01:01'Coming up, we're astonished buy your car-boot finds.'
0:01:01 > 0:01:05It really is the most exquisite embroidery box that I've seen.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07- Car-boot?- Car-boot.
0:01:07 > 0:01:14'We see how some of you have the talent to turn purchases made from a few pennies into some serious cash.'
0:01:14 > 0:01:18- Finished? You got it. - Well done!- Thank you, Paul.
0:01:18 > 0:01:24'And I send out two of our Flog It experts to see if this car-booting lark is as easy as it seems.'
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- MIMICS HUNTING HORN - Go on, then. Ready, steady, go.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33At pretty much every Flog It valuation day, we encounter someone
0:01:33 > 0:01:37who has made an incredible car-boot find,
0:01:37 > 0:01:39whether it's jewellery, ceramics or bronzes.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44You have taught us that it pays to keep your eyes peeled at all times,
0:01:44 > 0:01:46because there are wonderful things out there
0:01:46 > 0:01:50waiting to be picked up at car-boot sales all over the country.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Get up early, get out there early
0:01:53 > 0:01:57and go round quickly and see if you can spot anything.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Don't, you know, go laden with books.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03The best thing you can do is go laden with speed
0:02:03 > 0:02:05and get round as quickly as possible.
0:02:05 > 0:02:10As soon as the car opens its boot, get in there and start rummaging.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14That's the key, I think. Because there are treasures to be unearthed.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16I'm sure people buy things and get them home and think,
0:02:16 > 0:02:20"Heavens, what have I bought this for?" So don't do that.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24'At our valuation days, I'm often in awe of people
0:02:24 > 0:02:28'who've found good antiques for next to nothing at car-boot sales.
0:02:28 > 0:02:34'Philip Serrell was stumped for once when he came across Linda and her extraordinary vase.'
0:02:34 > 0:02:37He's a monster. Where did you buy it?
0:02:37 > 0:02:39- I bought it from a car-boot.- Right.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42- How much did you pay for it? - Do you really want to know?- Go on.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45- Three quid. - Do you have any conscience at all?
0:02:45 > 0:02:48No, he wanted to get rid of it. He even carried it to the car for me.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52- You bought this for three quid? - Yeah. Yeah.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54- So, what is it?- Burmantofts. - How do you know?
0:02:54 > 0:02:58- It says so on the bottom. - No flies on you, is there?
0:02:58 > 0:03:00It was an ideal example of someone who'd gone out,
0:03:00 > 0:03:03they'd had a go, they'd bought something,
0:03:03 > 0:03:07it wasn't overly expensive, but they used their eye.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10That's what guided Linda to buy that in the first place.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12And I think that's fantastic.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16You know, it was a spur of the moment thing, "That's cheap. I'll buy it."
0:03:16 > 0:03:18It's a double-gourd shape,
0:03:18 > 0:03:23- which is almost sort of Chinese in inspiration. - Yeah.- Going back hundreds of years.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25- Yeah.- And you've got this, sort of,
0:03:25 > 0:03:28monumental lizard
0:03:28 > 0:03:31or dragon crawling all around it.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33With another little lizard here.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35And if we just turn him over,
0:03:35 > 0:03:38we can just see here the Burmantofts mark on the base.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42The thing about Burmantofts is, they made all sorts of different things,
0:03:42 > 0:03:46but Linda's vase, in a way, it was quite grotesque,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49and that typified their wares of that period.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- It is cracked.- Cracked? Cracked?
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Cracked isn't the word for it!
0:03:54 > 0:03:57We've got a chunk out of the lizard here.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01- We've got all this damage to the top...- Yeah.- ..just here.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06And, erm, we've got the crack to end them all,
0:04:06 > 0:04:08that sort of goes all the way round it.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13What's it worth perfect? Cos it's easy to value these things perfect, right?
0:04:13 > 0:04:18Well, people tell me if it's later, a different design, the Persian design, it could be thousands.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20So I would say 100, 150.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24- You think this is worth £100, £150? - Perhaps, if it was good. - If it was good, right.
0:04:24 > 0:04:30Well, I think if this was good, this would be worth between £1,500 and £2,000.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- Oh, my goodness! If it was good? - Yeah.- Oh, amazing!- Yeah.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- Amazing. But it's not. - But it clearly is not good.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41Because you've got such a huge financial outlay involved in this...
0:04:41 > 0:04:46- I know.- ..I don't want to see you lose money. That three quid is very precious.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50- I think what we'll do is, I'm going to put on this what I call a "come and buy me" estimate.- Oh, yeah.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55- I'm going to put on this £100 to £200.- Amazing.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00'The big question is, did Linda's bargain basement find manage to turn a profit?'
0:05:00 > 0:05:02Looks like it's been under the hammer already,
0:05:02 > 0:05:06but never mind, it would've been a lovely vase originally.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Who'll give me £100 anyway? It's got to be worth that sort of money.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12£100. 110. 120.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15130. 140. 150. 160.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Yes? 170. 180.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20190? No, 180 with H42.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23190 here. At 190. Fresh money at 190.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26All done at 190? Any more?
0:05:26 > 0:05:30- HAMMER BANGS Well done!- Yes! £190, Linda.
0:05:30 > 0:05:31- That is fantastic.- It's marvellous.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35The Burmantofts jardiniere had very, very serious damage.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39And I thought the sale price was pretty strong, bearing that in mind.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43I think if it was perfect, it would've been in the region of £1,000 to £1,500,
0:05:43 > 0:05:48but it was far from perfect, and the restoration cost on that would've been immense.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50So I think it was a pretty good price.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54'On Flog It, we're always making the point that condition is key,
0:05:54 > 0:05:57'particularly when it comes to ceramics.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00'However, Linda proved when it's been bought at rock bottom price
0:06:00 > 0:06:04'at a boot sale, it's possible to turn a tidy profit
0:06:04 > 0:06:06'on a cracked and battered vase.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11'Now, there's something you're guaranteed to find at a car-boot sale,
0:06:11 > 0:06:15'though it normally holds little interest for serious collectors.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18'I'm talking about children's toys
0:06:18 > 0:06:24'and Mark Stacey was enchanted by a children's play thing which made him feel a bit nostalgic.'
0:06:24 > 0:06:29Jeanette, David, this really takes me back to my childhood.
0:06:29 > 0:06:34Sitting at home, just at tea time, waiting for The Magic Roundabout to start.
0:06:34 > 0:06:39- Tell me, where did you get it from? - I got it from a car-boot sale about 20 years ago.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41- And I paid £1 for it.- Good lord.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44I loved The Magic Roundabout as a child.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47I mean, the theme tune itself
0:06:47 > 0:06:50just got me straight in front of the television.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Who was your favourite? Mine was Ermintrude, the cow.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56You know, with the flower that went across.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59I didn't like Dylan, or the one that bounced up and down.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03Things like The Magic Roundabout now have become quite a cult show.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- Mm-hm.- You know, amongst collectors.
0:07:06 > 0:07:11And not only have we got all the pieces here, but of course, more importantly,
0:07:11 > 0:07:14we've got the original box.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Now, this particular toy
0:07:17 > 0:07:21was brought out between 1974 and 1976.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24So a little after the show started.
0:07:24 > 0:07:29It was made by Corgi Toys, who originally started in the 1950s.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32And they are a well-known name.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34The other nice thing you've got, of course,
0:07:34 > 0:07:38is we've got a little spare train.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42Yes. The persons who bought it originally bought a spare one
0:07:42 > 0:07:45so it would stay brand new, and it's unopened.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Having the original packaging is key.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52Even if the packaging is slightly damaged, it's better to have it with it.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56Condition is everything. If there's damage or if there's scratches,
0:07:56 > 0:07:58it really does put collectors off.
0:07:58 > 0:08:03Sensibly, one would put it into a sale at £400 to £600,
0:08:03 > 0:08:08something like that, with a 400 discretionary reserve.
0:08:08 > 0:08:14'Bought for £1, how much profit did The Magic Roundabout toy make?'
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Boing! It's time for bed. Yes, that jogs the memory.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19It's the whole game of The Magic Roundabout.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22It was valued at £400 to £600,
0:08:22 > 0:08:28but you've had a word with the auctioneer and you think that you would like a little bit more,
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- so you've actually upped the reserve...- Yes, I have.- ..to 500.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35It does happen occasionally on Flog It, vendors will go home,
0:08:35 > 0:08:37have a sleep on it, talk to other members of the family
0:08:37 > 0:08:42and they'll decide, actually, they weren't terribly happy with the suggested reserve.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44And they'll have a word with the auctioneer. That's fine.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49That's life. I'd rather them be comfortable in the price that we sell it for.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52290. 300. 320.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55340. 360. 380. 400.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- 420. 440. 460. - This is good. They like it.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01490. 500 with you, £500.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05520 anywhere? £500 then, it's away on my left.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08At £500. In the door at £500. All finished?
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- I can't believe it. - What a good result.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Well, it's not going home, but 500 quid is.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18£500, I suppose, sounds a lot of money for something which is relatively modern.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20But, of course, the condition was good,
0:09:20 > 0:09:26and you had an unopened toy train inside with all the little animals and things on it.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28And the box was there.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Of course, you should go into your loft. We've all got things hidden away.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35I've got a Lady Penelope toothbrush at home that my dentist gave me,
0:09:35 > 0:09:39which I haven't opened, but she was my favourite Thunderbird.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42'What a fantastic price for that car-boot toy.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46'The Magic Roundabout has attained cult status today.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49'And if you've got the talent to spot what's going to be the next big thing,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52'my advice is snap up the merchandise
0:09:52 > 0:09:55'and then tuck it away for a few decades.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59'Now, you might expect to see plastic toys for a few pennies at a boot sale,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03'but some people find things altogether more unexpected.'
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Tell me about it. Where did you find it?
0:10:05 > 0:10:07Well, I bought him about three years ago
0:10:07 > 0:10:11- from a car-boot sale in Horwich... - A car-boot?- A car-boot,
0:10:11 > 0:10:13believe it or not. And he just really appealed to me.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15What did you pay? Don't tell me, £2.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- No, I paid 100 for him.- 100. - £100 I paid, yeah.- OK.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21The dealer or the car-booter
0:10:21 > 0:10:25obviously realised it was something that wasn't rubbish,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28because otherwise why put £100 on it?
0:10:28 > 0:10:32But what I don't understand is that when you realise
0:10:32 > 0:10:35that something's probably worth £100,
0:10:35 > 0:10:39why not research it? Why not find out?
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Why not take it to Flog It yourself?
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Let's have a good look at him.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48The first thing to say is he's a dark patinated bronze.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50This isn't his natural colour.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54The bronze, when he was made, would've been more of a brass colour.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57So when people go home and they polish a bronze,
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- they're not just making it shine, they're ruining the whole patination...- Right.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03..that was designed for the initial look.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06Now, if we have a look at the base,
0:11:06 > 0:11:11there's a little signature there, L-E-Q-U-E-S-N-E, Lequesne.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15Now, that's Eugene-Louis Lequesne, who was a sculptor
0:11:15 > 0:11:18working in Paris in the 19th century,
0:11:18 > 0:11:21and he was one of the most famous sculptors of his time.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24'Having a signed bronze is no different to having a signed picture.'
0:11:24 > 0:11:28It's almost the guarantee that it has a value
0:11:28 > 0:11:32that will not just fall away into nothing.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36The fact that it's signed, the fact that you can put a name to it,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39gives you that bit of extra confidence.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43But realistically, it shouldn't be that that makes you buy it.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46You should always look at the object first,
0:11:46 > 0:11:49and the signature should be the confirmation that it's good.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54This piece will appeal to so many different areas of collecting.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57People that collect bronzes in their own right,
0:11:57 > 0:12:00people that are just interior designers,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03and people that just want him for what he is, a bit of fun.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- I would like to see an estimate of 300 to 500.- Right. - A reserve of 300.- Right.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09But he'll do more than that.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11'Did the bidders think Laura's bargain bronze
0:12:11 > 0:12:15'was worth more than the £100 she paid?'
0:12:15 > 0:12:18580. 600.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22- 620.- 620! See, you have got a great eye.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24You should still be going to buy bronzes.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- I may do again.- I think you will.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30700. 720.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32740.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37720 here. At £720. On this phone at 720.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Anyone else? 720. All finished?
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- Yes!- Wonderful!- That little bronze certainly called a tune there.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46£720!
0:12:46 > 0:12:49It sold pretty well, that one. It was a good estimate by James.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53It was a nice conservative guide price to show the buyers that it's on the market.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55We always like that, not overpriced,
0:12:55 > 0:12:59and that gives bidders the freedom to have a good bid at it.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01'Bronzes are always collectable.
0:13:01 > 0:13:06'There's a huge market for them amongst decorative art collectors.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10'And over the years on Flog It, we've seen many fabulous sculptures
0:13:10 > 0:13:12'which always fetch great prices.
0:13:12 > 0:13:18'If you're at a car-boot sale searching for bronzes, here are a few things you should bear in mind.'
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Have a look at the base. If it's showing yellowing on the metal,
0:13:21 > 0:13:25it's bronze, if it's showing white then it's a white metal, such as spelter.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28The other thing is a magnet test.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Bronze is not magnetic, but cast iron is.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35So often cast iron figures were patinated to look like bronze.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40Get your little magnet out, should be part of your toolkit, along with your eyeglass and everything else,
0:13:40 > 0:13:42and have a final check with a magnet.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46If you've got a young, buxom, pretty girl with her top off,
0:13:46 > 0:13:52I have to say, it's worth ten times more than an old grizzly old man, looking miserable.
0:13:52 > 0:13:57So, same artist, same size sculpture, different subject matter, makes a huge difference.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01'Most importantly, if you're buying a bronze for yourself,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- 'you can't go wrong with one you love.' - HAMMER BANGS
0:14:04 > 0:14:06'Often the car-booters we meet on Flog It
0:14:06 > 0:14:09'already know something about their item.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12'But at a valuation day in Twickenham, I met Joy,
0:14:12 > 0:14:16'who had no idea at all of the treasure she'd found.'
0:14:16 > 0:14:20- You've looked after it. - It hasn't been out of the box since I brought it home.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24And it really is the most exquisite embroidery box that I've seen.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28Shall we see if it's as good on the inside as it is on the out?
0:14:28 > 0:14:31Here goes. Opening up now.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- That weighs a lot, doesn't it? - It does, it's very heavy.
0:14:34 > 0:14:39Pin cushions. Obviously, little sections here for buttons and things.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43- And there's like a false drawer... - That's right.- ..in there.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- And how old do you think it is? - Oh, early 1800s.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- No!- Yes, no later than 1820,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- 1830 at the very latest.- Gosh!
0:14:52 > 0:14:57- Good heavens!- Yeah. It's so well-built, but look at the amount of ivory and horn there.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01- How much did you pay for this? - £4.- £4. Well...
0:15:02 > 0:15:05..shall we add an 0? And then add another 0?
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- That's £400.- No!- Base level.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14'What rewards did Joy reap on her £4 car-boot bargain?'
0:15:15 > 0:15:18£800. £800.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- 850.- They're keen. They love it!
0:15:21 > 0:15:24£1,400 in the middle of the room. 1,400. 15 on the phone there.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28- I've still got five people bidding. 1,600.- 1,600.- No!
0:15:29 > 0:15:311,700. 1,800. 1,900.
0:15:31 > 0:15:332,000. 2,100.
0:15:33 > 0:15:352,200.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Against you. No? All done at £2,200, then.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41- Finished? You've got it. - HAMMER BANGS
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- Well done!- Thank you, Paul! APPLAUSE
0:15:44 > 0:15:46They gave you a round of applause!
0:15:46 > 0:15:48£2,200.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52I just don't believe it.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55Joy certainly made a fantastic return on her car-boot bargain,
0:15:55 > 0:15:59turning £4 into a whopping £2,200.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03I wasn't surprised her sewing box sold so well.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07It had two qualities which really attracted serious antique collectors.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Firstly, it was in great condition,
0:16:09 > 0:16:12and secondly, it had a good age to it.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17So what other things should eager bargain hunters look out for at a car-boot sale?
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Here's what we've learnt so far.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22'If you're at a boot sale buying a toy for the children,
0:16:22 > 0:16:26'consider whether it could become collectable in years to come.
0:16:26 > 0:16:32'If so, let your kids have their fun, but make sure you keep the original packaging.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35'It can make all the difference if you come to sell.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39'When contemplating whether to buy a bronze,
0:16:39 > 0:16:41'a name to look out for, apart from Lequesne,
0:16:41 > 0:16:46'is Franz Bergman, who created Austrian cold painted bronzes.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51'Many of his works are signed with a B in an urn-shaped cartouche.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53'When you're out and about at a car-boot sale,
0:16:53 > 0:16:58'the normal rules don't really apply. Consider every item you see.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00'When you're paying a pittance for an antique,
0:17:00 > 0:17:03'there's always going to be room for a profit.'
0:17:06 > 0:17:12It always amazes me how many of you can sniff out the most astonishing bargains at a car-boot sale.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16Now, how much of that is down to luck or good judgement?
0:17:16 > 0:17:22Well, to put it to the test, we asked two Flog It regulars to get up with the larks and go on a mission.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26'Britain is a nation of car-boot sale lovers.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30'Every year, we hold around 100,000 sales
0:17:30 > 0:17:36'with, on average, 2,000 to 3,000 eager bargain hunters pouring through the gates.'
0:17:36 > 0:17:39What have you done to me?
0:17:39 > 0:17:44This is the world of the Sunday morning car-boot, Philip. Come on!
0:17:45 > 0:17:48At this time on a Sunday morning, it's either golf,
0:17:48 > 0:17:52breakfast or reading the newspapers. It is not wandering round a field.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55It's rummaging through other people's stuff, Philip.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58You never know what you're going to find. Look at that!
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Laid before us.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03Oh, hello. Right.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07"Good morning, gentlemen, and welcome to the Short Hills car-boot sale."
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Now, your mission, if you wish to accept it,
0:18:10 > 0:18:16is to search the car-boot sale in order to find a bargain piece of pottery or porcelain.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Your budget is a whopping £25.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23"And the winner will be the person who I deem to have bought
0:18:23 > 0:18:26"the best bargain for the amount spent. Good luck, gentlemen."
0:18:26 > 0:18:29No, you can't get anything good for £25.
0:18:29 > 0:18:3225 quid is like a fortune at a car-boot!
0:18:32 > 0:18:36- It's a cheap day out, this! - So, is this it, then?
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- Yeah. This is it. - Over the top. Up and at 'em.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41MIMICS HUNTING HORN
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- Ready, steady, go! - Go! Come on! Come on, man!
0:18:44 > 0:18:47He's mad, absolutely mad.
0:18:48 > 0:18:54'Phil doesn't seem too keen, but Will's got off to an enthusiastic start.'
0:18:55 > 0:18:58If you ever see a crowd around a stall,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01always look over their shoulders in case you're missing something.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04- Ladies, how are you? Good morning. - ALL: Good morning!
0:19:04 > 0:19:06What's going on here, then? What's being bought?
0:19:06 > 0:19:08- We're trying to sell everything. - Are you?
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- We still haven't unpacked it all. - What are you ladies buying?
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- We're just browsing.- Are you? - Just looking for bargains.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18'Is it a case of the hare and the tortoise?'
0:19:18 > 0:19:22Nothing here is priced. How do I know how much that is?
0:19:22 > 0:19:24To me, I put it at about six quid.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28- You put that at six quid?- What would you put it at?- Not six quid.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- Six quid is a very poorly octopus. - Uh-huh.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- See, that's sick squid. - Yeah.- We got there. Good. Good.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38That's how much? You want 30 for that, young man?
0:19:38 > 0:19:40- Or 25.- Or 25.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44See, it's coming down, coming down. Why aren't you out playing football?
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Skipping Monkey. A bit like Philip this morning.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55It's no good walking past a box like this, is it? You've got to have a rummage, have a look.
0:19:55 > 0:20:00What's down the bottom? A boat in a bell.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02What more do you want on a Sunday morning?
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Look at him. Look at him over there.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08He's rummaging through someone's boxes.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13Honestly, this is just like a different culture to me.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18'Philip gets down to the nitty-gritty on prices.'
0:20:18 > 0:20:20- Everything's £1 or 50p? - More or less.
0:20:20 > 0:20:25I mean, if you put it at £2, there'll say £1. So, you know...
0:20:25 > 0:20:27If you've got something priced at six quid,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- what do you expect them to say then?- Three.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34- And if they said £1, what would you say?- Well, it depends how late it is in the day.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36- So the later on, the cheaper the prices?- I would've thought so.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39So if I come back at 2 o'clock, you'll give it away?
0:20:39 > 0:20:41Just take the lot, yeah. SHE LAUGHS
0:20:41 > 0:20:45'Will's extolling the virtues of car-booting.'
0:20:45 > 0:20:50You're not going to find something that belongs in a museum at a car-boot, unless you're very lucky.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53What was it recently, the old Thunderball watch, wasn't it?
0:20:53 > 0:20:55- Did you see that?- No. I didn't see it, I heard about it.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00£25. £25 it was bought for at a car-boot.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Thunderball watch. Breitling.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06I think it sold the other day, it made over 100,000.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09You just never know what you're going to find.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11'That's right.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14'You've had enough fun, chaps, time to make your choices
0:21:14 > 0:21:17'before the boots slam shut and the cars go home.'
0:21:17 > 0:21:20- Are you a regular?- No, I just do it as a bit of a hobby.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23That's a nice teapot, isn't it?
0:21:23 > 0:21:28- That was my mum's.- Was it?- Yeah. - It's got a chip in, look at that.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32- Faulty goods.- It's very old. - So am I, I ain't worth anything.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36- My budget's £1.- No, I can't do it. - Oh, behave!
0:21:36 > 0:21:39- Go on, then.- Are you sure? - I'll give you it.- You're an angel.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Cheers, my love. Let me just find a pound for you, hold on.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46I've taken a bit of a gamble here because that is like...
0:21:46 > 0:21:49That's like a rum baba and a black forest gateaux.
0:21:49 > 0:21:54You know, it's just real 1970s, but people did used to collect teapots.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56I just hope it's Paul's cup of tea.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Morning!
0:21:59 > 0:22:02- Got some interesting little bits. All from your own home, is it?- Yes.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08- What about something like that? - Four.- £4.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11I quite like that. Don't you like that? It's rather...
0:22:12 > 0:22:14It's good, isn't it? Nice colour.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Do you think you'd take three for it?
0:22:16 > 0:22:20- £3.50.- Oh! Look, I'm being screwed to the floor.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24- £3.50.- Lovely.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27- Thank you very much. Good luck for the rest of the day.- Thank you.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32Hallmarked up at the bottom. CH Brannam, Barnstable.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34Made in England.
0:22:34 > 0:22:39A genuine bit of English art pottery.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43£3.50. It's nothing, is it? Less than a burger.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47'Job done! Time for a coffee.'
0:22:47 > 0:22:51How have you found it, Philip? Survived? It's not that bad, is it?
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Well, all this expertise and we come back with two polystyrene cups.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- Yeah, mine's got a rather nice coffee in it. - I found it really hard.- Did you?
0:22:57 > 0:23:02Yeah, because it's just a complete alien sort of concept to me, all this.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04I know where you're coming from.
0:23:04 > 0:23:09- It is harder and harder, I'll give you that...- It's impossible. - ..to find a real, proper antique.
0:23:09 > 0:23:15'Will's up for anything, but Philip clearly feels more at home at an auction or high-end antiques fairs.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17'You've both done well though, fellas.'
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- Well, I'm actually quite pleased. - Shall we go together?- Yeah, go on.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23- Uno.- Dos.- Tres. - Oh, nearly dropped it.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Ah, there's a shock, we both bought pots!
0:23:26 > 0:23:29- Look! Has yours got anything in it? - No.- Maybe a...
0:23:30 > 0:23:35- Cheers, Philip. - Yeah, good health, mate. - It's been emotional.- Yeah, wicked.
0:23:39 > 0:23:44Well, it's the result time. Who has the best eye?
0:23:44 > 0:23:48Let me see. Well, quite honestly, that is a bargain.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51That's a teapot you could use today.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54And that is actually hand-decorated, that's not a transfer.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58That's not bad, actually, for £1. That's very usable.
0:23:59 > 0:24:04And for £3.50, well, actually, this is Brannam, look.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08We've seen that on the show before. It's from Barnstaple. It's all in the clay.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12Down in the West Country. That is nicely thrown.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Architecturally, it's a good height. I like the strap handle.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19You know, a lot of traditional country skills going on there,
0:24:19 > 0:24:23and it's really true to the principles of hand-thrown pottery.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25It's a good contemporary colour, as well.
0:24:25 > 0:24:31I think, if you had to sell these, that one would turn the best profit.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34'Congratulations, Will.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37'I estimated his tankard at £30 to £50.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41'And Philip's teapot at £20 to £30.
0:24:41 > 0:24:48'Proof positive that Flog It's finest aren't as good as you at spotting bargains at car-boot sales.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56'If you're hunting for bargains, there's something you need to be wary of,
0:24:56 > 0:25:00'especially if you're parting with serious cash.'
0:25:00 > 0:25:04- They're all from car-boot sales and they're all different prices. - Really?- Yes.
0:25:04 > 0:25:09I was frightfully excited when I looked into your bag and saw this.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13I thought this is item of the day on Flog It.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17Erm, it's silver. It's Russian.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20It purports to be 1884.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23- And it's fake.- Oh, no! THEY LAUGH
0:25:23 > 0:25:27'The business of faking is very lucrative. It goes back centuries.
0:25:27 > 0:25:33'It covers high-end items made by real craftsmen to mass-produced Chinese fakes.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37'Quite a few forgeries have crossed the Flog It tables over the years,
0:25:37 > 0:25:39'and it's been our experts' unenviable task
0:25:39 > 0:25:42'to break the bad news.'
0:25:42 > 0:25:44This one is the cheeky fake.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47- Made in brass.- OK.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49There are an awful lot of fakes on the market.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52That's the only thing that's going against it.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56Because Blue John is so sought after, they're faking it.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59'So, what can you do to protect yourself?
0:25:59 > 0:26:04'When you're buying from a reputable dealer or auction house, check the description and provenance.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07'If you discover you've bought a fake when you get home,
0:26:07 > 0:26:10'you're well within your rights to return the item.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13'It's a different story when you're at a car-boot sale, though.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15'If you're thinking of parting with serious cash,
0:26:15 > 0:26:18'how can you make sure you're not buying a fake?
0:26:18 > 0:26:22'There are some things to look out for to give yourself a fighting chance.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26'Forged gold and silver items are rife on the market.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29'Fakes are made from base metals that have been gilded or silvered
0:26:29 > 0:26:32'and given false hallmarks.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35'When buying precious metals, look out for crisp hallmarks.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38'Forged ones tend to have a softer outline
0:26:38 > 0:26:41'as they've been stamped with a brass punch
0:26:41 > 0:26:44'rather than the hard steel ones used by the assay offices.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47'Gen up on where the marks should appear on a piece.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49'Forgers often put them in the wrong place.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53'And if you've got a silver item in several pieces,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56'make sure all of them bear the same hallmark.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00'And if you're buying coins made from precious metal, James has a word of advice.'
0:27:00 > 0:27:04If a gold coin is the right size,
0:27:04 > 0:27:06a fake will be too light.
0:27:06 > 0:27:11- But if it's the right weight, a fake will be too big.- OK.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15That one is the right size and the right weight. So that's good.
0:27:15 > 0:27:21'Another collectable that's a favourite with our Flog It audience is good old Clarice Cliff.
0:27:21 > 0:27:26'And it's Clarice's very popularity which makes her a target for forgers.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29'So, how can you tell if your Art Deco ceramic is the genuine article?'
0:27:29 > 0:27:33The style of the pottery, the glaze and everything, it's absolutely right.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37It's got this lovely yellowish tinge to the glaze on the underside,
0:27:37 > 0:27:40which is typical of a right piece.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42'You should also check the weight of your Clarice Cliff.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46'Fakes often feel too heavy or light.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50'No matter what you're collecting, the best way to make sure you don't get stung
0:27:50 > 0:27:53'is by taking time to research and get to know the genuine article.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57'Good luck next time you're scouring the sales for bargains.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00'And if you do get taken by a fake,
0:28:00 > 0:28:05'chalk it up to an experience and remember that it happens to the best of us.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14'As we've seen on the show, if you want to bag a car-boot bargain,
0:28:14 > 0:28:18'remember - the early bird gets the worm.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22'And if you keep your wits about you, you might just find an overlooked bit of booty
0:28:22 > 0:28:26'or, at best, a genuine hidden treasure.'
0:28:27 > 0:28:30See you again soon for many more Trade Secrets.