Eric Knowles v Philip Serrell: Auction Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

'This is the show that pitches TV's best-loved antiques experts

'against each other in all-out battle for profit,

'and gives you the secrets of the trade.

'Coming up, our experts show you how to avoid the pitfalls of buying at auction.'

This chest has had a new top on it. To me, that completely ruins it.

'We see what happens when two top dealers go head-to-head for the same lot.'

That's Eric, isn't it? ..Yeah.

'And, in the pursuit of victory,

'Knocker Knowles knows no boundaries.'

I thought your patch was your patch and my patch was my patch.

I'm an Englishman in Worcester. Nothing wrong with that.

'Today's contest pitches two war horses of the antiques world

'against each other...

'They battle it out to see who can make the biggest profit

'from buying and selling antiques.

'It's our loveable lad from Lancashire...'

Doing me breathing exercises to get limbered up.

'..versus the antiques maestro from the Midlands.'

A lot would argue with that.

'They're risking their own hard-earned cash and reputations

'as they attempt to outdo each other with their devilish dealings.'

-Last time...

-There you go.

'Today, Eric and Phil lock horns deep in the garden of England.

'Their mission, to root out the best profit-making bargains in Kent,

'where 526 weird and wonderful lots are about to come under the hammer.

'Today, our rivals each have up to £1,000 of their own money to spend

'to make profit for charity over a week of challenges.

'Each has his own strategy but, in the battle for profit, there can be only one winner.

'Eric Knowles and Philip Serrell, it's time to put your money where your mouth is.'

I still get a buzz coming into an auction room.

-With £1,000 in your pocket!

-What about your strategy?

I want to try and buy between five and ten lots.

If I only mark five or ten, I've got no options.

I'm going to look at 20 or 30 lots, so I've got a bit of choice.

I'm going to stick to ceramics. I'm going to look at names I know.

-Are you big on bells?

-I've got that sinking feeling.

-Seconds out, round one?

-DING DING

'Before the auction begins, our duo start rifling their way

'through as many lots as possible, to work out which of them

'they might make the biggest profit on.

'Phil kicks off his campaign with military precision,

'working through the catalogue like an antiques buying machine.'

I've marked it. I don't want it.

Reproduction. Don't want it.

Nice enough wardrobe, but very plain. Don't want it.

'And Knocker's no slouch, either,

'picking his way through the porcelain at a rate of knots,

'using laser beam focus to ascertain each piece's profitability.'

Quite a typical Royal Crown Derby Imari trio.

What am I looking for? I'm looking to make sure it's perfect.

Look at the handle. That's a vulnerable place.

You're looking at the gilding. You want the gilding to be perfect.

Also, take the sticker... Always put it back.

Make sure there's nothing lurking underneath that sticker.

'Our profit-hungry pair have eagle eyes

'for anything to scupper their hopes of making more than their rival.'

That timber there is almost like "plum pudding mahogany".

But look at this. That's a totally different colour.

This chest has had a new top on it. For me, that completely ruins it.

That's turned a £200 to £300 chest into a real £40 boiler.

'Knocker's found something that promises maximum profit

'from miniature investment.'

With all these things, condition is absolutely paramount.

There's a maker - Lilliput Lane.

There are lots of collectors of Lilliput Lane.

There are certain building which are worth an awful lot more than others.

'With the auction about to start, the Fox spotted something

'that's got his dealer's mind racing - a Victorian chimney pot.'

That's a great thing for putting plants in.

It makes a pretty feature in the garden.

I've got to be quick. The auction's about to start.

This is bidding on the hoof, this is.

'Will the Fox's chimney pot profit plans go up in smoke?

'Will Knocker's ceramic strategy crack under pressure?

'Our battling boys brace themselves for bidding.'

We start with lot number one.

'Let battle commence.

'First for Phil is the chimney pot. The Fox's mind is racing.'

Are you going to buy it? Who else is going to bid? Worse, will Eric bid?

Next, we've got the chimney pot, lot number 18, or a planter.

He's got the same idea. Now he's told everybody.

A bit of interest starts me at £15. Looking for 16.

15 I have. 16 anywhere now?

16. I've got 18. 20? I've got 22.

With me at £22. Looking for 24. I'm out. It's in the room.

26 to the gentleman by the office. 28, sir? 30?

Still 28 on my right. And selling at £28...

'The Fox snaps up his prey.'

I bought that for £28.

I'm not necessarily pleased that I've bought that, but I am pleased that I've bought my first lot.

'With saleroom fees added, Phil spends...

'And Eric is completely flummoxed.'

Phil just bought a chimney pot.

I'm sure he's got every good reason, but I'm scratching me head.

Two fish pictures. Lot number 108...

'The prince of porcelain's first target is just as barmy.

'Knocker's after a couple of framed prints of fish.'

Selling at £12...

'The fish cost Eric £13.50, with the auction premium included.

'Not exactly ceramics, are they, Knocker?

'The Fox is sticking to his strategy like glue,

'checking out potential purchases while the auction is in full swing.'

Bit of a sneak preview, this, opportunist viewing.

Look at this old till. I would think it's probably Edwardian.

Made in Halifax. It's in mahogany. I like that.

That's probably worth £30 to £50.

I'm going to have a go at buying that.

'First, a lot's come up that Phil's after -

'an old salt-glazed stone water filter.'

Selling at £16... BANGS GAVEL

'He's got big plans for it.'

Wouldn't it look great in a baker's shop with French sticks in?

A really good thing to dress the shop.

'Knocker is nonplussed.'

Water filters and chimney pots. Oh, yes. Exciting stuff(!)

-Large selection of Lilliput Lane houses.

-Here we go.

'Here's a chance for Knocker to get the miniatures he earmarked.'

Selling at 22...

'Eric snaps them up for...

'And allows himself a chuckle.'

-CHUCKLES

-I'm now in property.

I never had Eric Knowles down for Lilliput Lane.

Have I missed something?

'No idea, Foxy, but Knocker's limbering up for a fight.'

All the best lots have yet to come.

As for that sly old Fox, if I get my way he'll be one fox on the run today.

'He's on the run, all right, chasing more bargains.'

Selling at 16...

'Phil snaps up a stone barrel and Toby pump.'

That really is for nothing.

'Meanwhile, Knocker is content to wait and keep his powder dry,

'whilst the Fox does all the running.'

My till's coming up now, lot number 200.

Estimate £25. I'm going to give £30 to £40 for that.

It's a nice thing. See what everybody else reckons to it.

Interest starts me off at 25. Looking for 28. 28?

I've got 30. 32? 34. 36?

I'm out. 36 in the room. Looking for £38.

Last time, then, at £36...

'Right on the limit of what Phil was prepared to pay!

'The Fox rounds off a hat-trick of buys,

'winning the bidding for a ship's compass.'

£50...

'But he pushes the boat out to get it!

'The Fox is rampant. He's bought five items. Knocker has bought two.

'This is what Eric has been waiting for.

'It's a collection of Royal Worcester china

'with a reserve price of £65.'

I have to admit that some of the pieces are damaged.

So I'm bidding just on those I know are in perfect condition.

I think I'm going to see some serious competition because it's desirable. It's Royal Worcester.

55 I have right at the back. 60? Five? 70? Five?

80? Five?

90? Five?

100? And five? 110? 15?

120? Five? 130?

125 behind you. 30 anywhere now?

Selling at 125. Last time at 125...

I wasn't going to go any more than 125.

By the time I've paid my buyer's premium,

that's going to cost me around about £140,

which is my top mark.

'Ten out of ten for sums, Eric!

'This is shaping up to be a mighty battle of wits.

'How are our duelling duo getting on?

'Eric and Phil both started the day with £1,000 of their own money.

'Phil has bought five lots, but spent modestly...

'Eric has bought just three lots, but spent more than his rival...

'Our battling boys are more-or-less even Stevens,

'but there's plenty more fighting to come.

'Earlier, our heavyweight contenders pored over all the lots on offer.

'Knocker was after ceramics, his speciality,

'but there's not much here so he's been forced to look for alternatives.'

Hm. We'll give that one a miss.

'The Fox is stalking this showroom like a caged beast,

'seeing potential profit round every corner.'

These I love. These are by a man called Terence Cuneo.

It's signed.

There was another signature that Cuneo put on every work.

See that little mouse?

On every print or painting, there's a little mouse. There it is.

And on this one...

There it is.

I think these are worth £80 to £100 apiece.

The interest for me is to sell them to someone with an interest in cars.

That's where I think the value is.

'The Fox is on top form, already developing his strategy for selling.

'With quality ceramics thin on the ground, Knocker has to change his buying plans, fast.

'He spots some Art Deco.'

This is a bit of 1920s, 1930s.

Very stylish clock, but you turn it round...

-CHUCKLES

-That's where you put your battery!

I think we've got an electric clock movement.

It needs some TLC, does that.

Whether you'll get it working again, I don't know.

Might have a punt on that.

'While our Eric wanders the wilderness of doubt,

'Phil knows exactly what he's after.'

This is a 19th-century mahogany breakfast table. Useful things.

It'll just about seat six but also,

it'll go up so you can store it.

A table like this, probably five to ten years ago,

was worth £600 to £900.

I've had a look in the auction catalogue. This estimated at £150.

So, for me, I might think I can give up to £200, £220 for this.

At that price, I think it's cheap.

I'm not buying it because I like it or because it's a good thing.

I'm buying it solely on price.

'There's that no-nonsense approach we expect from the Fox.

'And listen to his verdict on the next lot,

'a glazed bureau that's seen better days.'

They're hugely unpopular, hugely unfashionable.

That's got an estimate of £30.

£35, £40, I'm interested. £60, don't want it.

'Knocker has spotted the bureau. It isn't love at first sight, either.

'But he's not writing it off yet.'

When you buy something like this,

you're conscious that restoration costs could be as much as the item.

If it's going cheap enough, I might have a stab.

'Go on, Eric. Our Knocker needs to get spending.

'The broken Art Deco clock is under the hammer, reserve £30.

'But our lad's not the only one who likes it.'

42? 44? 46? 48?

£50? And five? 60?

Five? 70? Five?

80? Five? 90?

Five? 90 I have. Five anywhere now?

Selling at £90 now... BANGS GAVEL

'Eric's gambled in the hope

'that the motionless timepiece will be repairable and saleable.'

Just bought myself an Art Deco clock for a hotel.

All I need now is the hotel.

'Dream on, Eric. Not at this auction.'

252 is this nice Art Deco cocktail tray.

'This companion piece will have to do. Eric is the only bidder.'

Selling at £25...

'With no decent pots on offer, Eric has to grin and bear it.

'And keep a beady eye on his rival.

'He's got over £800 up his sleeve

'and a string of profitable targets.'

The first one is one of those Cuneo prints. Estimate £110.

I'd like it for 85. We will see.

Bentley by Cuneo. The train. It's all signed. 120? 110?

100? Nobody on 100? I'll come down to 90, if that helps.

-Nobody at 90...?

-60, sir.

-The lady won't go below £90, I'm afraid.

-I'll bid you 90, sir.

-Thank you, sir. Selling at £90.

-Last time at 90...

-That's the first one bought.

'That makes the Fox hungry for the second print.'

90 it's got to be. Yes? Thank you.

Selling at 90...

Thank you.

'Once again, no other bidders. This is the realm of the Fox.

'Phil has two prints for less than he thought.

'Knocker can only watch helplessly as Phil dominates this auction room.

'The Fox isn't wild about this next lot, but he reckons there's a profit in it.'

A mahogany tilt-turn table. What shall we say? 180?

170? 160, surely?

'Phil's cunning tactic is to wait until he's sure no-one else is bidding.'

150 if it helps. Nobody at 150?

150 I've got. Last time at £150, then...

'And the mighty Fox claims his table for...

'Knocker is still on the sidelines.

'The Fox is on a roll, adding a sturdy storage chest to his haul.'

-Ten, sir.

-Ten I've got. 12 anywhere now? Selling at £10...

'It's a low-risk buy.

'And what of Knocker? He's left with it all to do.

'He's only bought five lots and still has nearly £700 in his kitty.'

I don't mind admitting that, because I've left everything I want to go for towards the end,

there is that element of jeopardy!

'That's a man under pressure, but has our Eric really been waiting

'for this nice, but not exactly Earth-shattering, cane stool?'

20? 15?

-Yes.

-'It looks like it.'

Selling at 15...

Thank you.

'There you go. One cane stool for...'

That little stool. How long has he been interested in oak furniture?

'Eric's switch of strategy to furniture has Phil worried.'

Well, next is lot number 520, the oak bureau.

That's his sort of thing. They've got it at £30.

I'm going to have a go at that.

'You mischievous devil!

'Let's remind ourselves of your earlier verdict on the bureau.'

They're hugely unpopular, hugely unfashionable.

£35, £40, I'm interested. £60, don't want it.

'But now Phil's spotted a golden chance to get one over on Eric.

'It means it's war over the bureau.'

Whether the Fox decides he wants to bid against the Knocker,

if he wants to pay more, then so be it.

'Bring it on!'

The oak glazed bureau cabinet.

15 I've got. 18? 20?

22? 24?

Yeah.

26? 28?

Yeah.

30, sir? 32?

That's Eric, isn't it? ..Yeah.

34? 36?

-One more, sir.

-38. Looks like it could be yours.

-40 I've got.

-One more, sir.

-42? 44?

-I don't know what to do...

-I can't wait any longer.

-One more, sir.

44 I've got. 46?

Last time 46. Looking for 48?

-One more, sir.

-50? I want 55.

-The very last one, sir.

-And 60?

-He's just saying that.

-I'll take 58.

-You're a good lad.

-60 I want.

-One more, sir.

-60 I've got.

62? 64?

-There's a lot of polishing. Eric can have that.

-No?

I'm selling at £62 last time...

-There you go!

-Eric's bought that and I'm glad I didn't.

There is serious work in that.

He's a lovely lad,

but I'm not sure that the generosity of human kindness

was running through his veins for that moment in time.

'What a battle of wills! Eric's been forced to cough up...

'..twice as much as the Fox was prepared to pay.

'After that display of brotherly love, the buying is over.

'Before they go their separate ways to sell,

'our profit-seekers asses each other's wares.

'Needless to say, they start with Eric's controversial oak cabinet.'

-I started the bidding on that one.

-And ended it.

-I intended to end it.

I grant you, I'll have to spend as much on getting it restored.

You obviously have a monopoly in early Victorian stoneware.

-That's got E Knowles all over it.

-If I could walk home with one item.

-That would be it. What date's that?

-It's probably about 1930.

I don't think, ha-ha, I'm going to make any great loss.

I realise the name of the game is to blow you out the water.

-LAUGHS:

-Just love him!

-But that being said,

listen, I think we deserve a treat.

-Absolutely.

-In the form of something nice and cold

and cool.

'After a well-earned cold drink, the game is now for our boys

'to make as much profit as they can

'to donate to the charities of their choice.

'As well as his chimney and water filter, Phil must sell...

'this barrel and Toby pump,

'a mahogany shop till,

'a ship's compass,

'two vintage car prints,

'this mahogany tilt-turn table

'and an old chest.

'In addition to his oak bureau and Art Deco clock, Eric must sell...

'two framed fish pictures,

'some Lilliput Lane miniatures,

'some Royal Worcester china,

'this Art Deco cocktail tray

'and the cane stool.

'Buying their items was only the start of the challenge.

'It's all about the profit they can make from selling them.

'It all comes down to this -

'for Eric and Phil it's time to sell like they've never sold before.

'They'll be pulling out all the stops to find buyers,

'rifling through their little black books and setting up deals.

'But, until they've shaken on it and the money's changed hands, no deal is truly sealed.

'Both have returned home to finalise their strategies.

'In Malvern, the Fox has a cunning plan for two of his nine lots.'

What's Malvern famous for? Malvern water.

Perhaps I can sell those two water purifiers to someone with an interest.

I've got to get on the net

and find someone to buy something to do with a vintage Bentley.

Knowles, I'm on your trail.

'The Fox is in fighting form but he'd better get down from that hill,

'because lean, mean Knocker is already on the road to selling.'

I've got one lovely Art Deco clock.

It's got the name of one Art Deco dealer written all over it.

So I've sent an image and she say she like what she see.

So it's a case of me presenting it to her in three dimensions.

Hopefully, it'll look three times better.

'Eric's clock cost him just over £100 but he's not had it repaired

'or restored.

'So, will Art Deco specialist Cheryl do a deal based on looks alone?'

Could we look at the back and see what's going on?

-Was this electric?

-It was at some stage.

It could well be that the mechanism could be up and running,

but it has to be tested.

-Does it come up to expectations?

-It's lovely.

What I like is the colours, the satinwood on the front

then the contrast.

It looks like zebrano on the side, the zebra look.

You've got dashes where the numbers should be and the original hands.

-I see this clock retailing for at least £400.

-OK.

Having said that, I'm only too aware that it needs work on it

that's going to cost.

My opening gambit is going to be...£300.

So if I put my toe in the water and suggest maybe 150?

That water would be too hot for you to put your toe in.

So we need to put a little ice in?

'Toes? Ice? This must be dealer talk.

'Come on, Knocker!'

Let me save a lot of time and say I'm looking for £280 or thereabouts.

-If I say 260...?

-If you say 260, we have got ourselves a deal.

-OK. We'll deal on 260.

-That's a pleasure.

'Knocker seals his first deal and more than doubles his money.

'Electrical fittings need to be tested by an electrician.'

Look and learn, Mr Serrell.

'A bit early to be counting your chickens, Knocker.

'That Fox might come along and gobble them up.

'Phil's auction house is a hive of activity.

'Phil has invited George to his saleroom.

'He specialises in selling pre-restoration items within the trade.'

Let me tell you what I thought. Imagination's required.

Rubber bung there. Rubber bung there, there and there.

Piece of plate glass. Wouldn't it make a wicked coffee table?

They wouldn't do it like that. They would raise the box.

Lift it up six inches off the ground.

Then, as you say, a glass top.

It would look the bee's knees.

-What would that retail for?

-About £200.

-How much is it going to cost them to do that?

-At least £100.

Right, I was going to ask you... £60, £70 for it.

As it is, it's not worth that.

It's worth £30 to £40.

I wanted £60 for it.

How about in the middle, 50 quid now, shake hands?

Done deal. I'm pleased with that.

'That wily old Fox.

'He clinches the deal by getting his customer to enthuse about the item.

'Our man gets his mitts

'on nearly four times as much cash as he paid for it in auction.

'Eric is also using every trick in the book to maximise his chances of victory.

'He showed his Lilliput Lane houses to three specialists

'then asked each of them to write down their top bid,

'known in the trade as a silent auction.

'Back at Knocker HQ, the results are in.'

I can tell you now that, of the three bids that I had,

the top bid goes to Malcolm Dee.

'Hooray for Malcolm!'

He has offered me £90.

'And hooray for Eric!

'Those little houses cost him less than £25.

'Prices are on the rise in Lilliput, and Knocker is a property magnate.

'Today's competition is turning into a selling masterclass,

'with both our warriors vying for the advantage.

'But, for Phil, this next deal is personal.

'Y-yes, the wiliest of foxes is cruising east

'in his beloved vintage sports car.

'His aim, to look good - and try to sell his Cuneo prints

'to one of the world's leading restorers of vintage Bentley cars.

'That's his cover story.

'Really, he's on a covert mission to check out some cracking motors.'

This is like Christmas Day!

In there are my presents waiting to be opened!

-What have you got?

-Enough of that. Let me look at these.

'Oh, our Phil is agog!'

Absolutely brilliant.

'Finally, the Fox stops purring and starts dealing.'

I went to auction and bought these because I love my cars.

I wanted to sell them to someone who'd got that Bentley connection.

-Stanley, are you interested in these?

-Yes, I am.

Lord! Thank you! Thank you!

-What do you think they're worth?

-I'd pay a couple of hundred quid for the pair.

I paid more than that for them. They've got to be worth £500.

SILENCE, THEN STANLEY LAUGHS

-That's really cruel, laughing at me.

-I'll go 300, go on.

-450.

-I'll give you 350 for them.

-Job done.

-I'll shake hands with you now at 400 quid.

All right. Job done.

'That was audacious!

'After drooling over the vintage racing cars, the Fox snaps back

'to razor-sharp alertness and doubles his money!

'Oh. And then he's gone again!'

ENGINE REVS

'Eric is in his Knocker-mobile,

'heading to Kent for a potential sale.

'He's sent ahead the bureau to the warehouse of one of his contacts,

'John.'

I did have the option of going with restoration first.

To be honest, John, it was the logistics of time and cost for me.

I thought this would do £150 in its present state.

I won't even haggle on that. £150, I'll do it. It's a fair price.

I'm not going to try to take an extra 20 or ten off. 150, it's done.

-I wish I'd asked 250 now!

-Then I wouldn't have done the deal.

-Then I'd be down at 100.

-£150, OK.

'He didn't even have to haggle.

'Knocker nets himself a little 100% profit.

'Phil might have scoffed,

'but our Eric's tenacity has more than paid off.

'But, high up in the Malvern hills, the Fox is feeling pretty perky.

'A local mineral water company

'ARE interested in his 19th-century water filters.'

£90 for the pair.

-92.

-92 it is.

-You're an absolute scholar.

Thank you.

'Then he sells his chimney pot for £40!

'This is a titanic tussle. These two mean business.

'Every deal is going to count.

'With less than £5 in it, this masterful display of dealing

'is way too close to call.

'It's Knocker who is ready to strike next.

'After some furious research,

'our Lancashire lad has lined up a potential sale with David,

'who's producing a book of images of British angling from as far back as the 18th century.

'Eric is hoping that these two beauties are up to scratch.

'David is clearly an expert.'

I do know what these are.

They were created in a book called British Freshwater Fishes

by Reverend William Houghton.

It was a big two-volume folio with 41 of these plates in.

These are two of those 41 plates.

Sadly, this book is rather often broken up.

-It is a shame.

-So the prints can be sold individually.

It's becoming harder to find unbroken copies of the book.

They're now selling for £1,000 or more.

That brings us to money. I'm looking in the region of £80.

80 is far too high. The framing on these I think IS attractive.

It's quite early framing. It adds value to them.

But I come out much more like £20 each, £40 the pair.

What about 50?

-I could do 50 on those.

-You could do 50?

-Yes.

I can do 50. Put it there. You're a star.

'Well, well. Eric Knowles, self-confessed pot-aholic -

'furniture dealer, Deco king

'and now he trebles his money in the niche world of piscatorial art!

'As if to ram the point home,

'he sells his walnut and cane stool for £35,

'and his 1930s cocktail tray for a profit of...

'If there's one man in Britain who can slug it out toe-to-toe with the Knocker,

'it's this foxy heavyweight, Phil Serrell.'

All right. I'll have a deal with you.

'He strikes back, doubling his money on his mahogany shop till,

'and grabbing over £25 profit on his mahogany tilt-turn table.

'He's lined up a Worcestershire dealer, Tony, for his ship's compass.

'It cost Phil just over £56.'

I'm hoping you can tell me more about this.

-It's a marine compass.

-It certainly is. And a big one.

-It's seen better days.

-Haven't we all?

We've got a load of dates, patented September 1862.

April 1863. Was that when it was recalibrated or something?

That's what it is. It's like a watch.

If you open a watch and a watchmaker's put new pieces into it,

he would leave a piece of paper in the back of the watch

telling the date and what he'd done.

It's the same, but stamped on.

-Do you like it?

-I like it. I don't know whether I would restore it.

If you look into there, there's one heck of a lot of work to do.

-I need to get between £100 and £150.

-I'm prepare to pay, for that...

£100.

-I'll take your 100.

-Deal.

-Deal.

'Another fantastic bit of business from the Fox.

'Even when dealing to the trade, he nearly doubles his money.

'This is going to be achingly close. There's one item left,

'Eric's Royal Worcester porcelain.

'For these two old-school experts, today was about professional pride.

'Then Knocker made a move unprecedented for sheer audacity.'

I'd heard you were in the city!

-There's the man!

-What are you doing?

-I know you'll invite me in...

-Well...

-Don't interrupt.

I thought your patch was your patch and my patch was my patch.

I'm an Englishman in Worcester. Nothing wrong with that. I've got appointments here.

As much as I enjoy having a chat, I've got to dash.

You'll have to forgive me, Phil. You take care, and don't overdo it!

What's he doing?

'Sorry, Foxy, it's brazen but Knocker is within his rights to deal in Worcester.

'If Knocker wins the contest by sealing a deal yards from Fox HQ,

'and to one of Phil's customers,

'the Midlands mauler will not be pleased.

'The porcelain cost Eric just over £140.'

What I find exciting, apart from being in the land of Serrell,

-who I know you are familiar with.

-I am, indeed.

What I find more exciting than that

is to know that these pieces of wonderful porcelain

were made a few hundreds yards in that direction.

I've always loved coming to Worcester.

The question is, are we going to be able to do any business?

From my point of view, that's the nicest bit, the scent bottle.

It's missing its stopper.

This one has one little lid but it should have a crown.

-I'm hoping that's all there.

-It's OK. It's not thrilling.

'That's not what Knocker wanted to hear.

'One thing is for sure, today's competition will be won or lost in Worcester.

'Time to tot up the totals and reveal who has made the most cash.

'Our duelling duo had £1,000 of their own money to spend...

'Phil decided to speculate to accumulate.

'All of the profit they make over a week will go to the charities of their choice.

'Let's find out who's made the most cash,

'and who is today's Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is champion.'

-Well, my sly old Fox. How are you?

-Knocker! How are you doing?

-I'm doing all right.

-Well, auction day.

Eventful in many respects.

Talking of being eventful,

what's this about walking past my front door to sell stuff?

-There's got to be honour amongst thieves.

-There always will be!

You've got to understand, I've read the rules.

There are no restrictions as to where I can sell.

You're welcome to come down t'metropolis.

-What about you?

-The closest I could get to your house was Hertfordshire.

I came to see Stanley, who's got the best collection of vintage Bentleys.

-But...

-Yes, the moment of truth.

On the count of three.

One, two, three...

-Argh!

-It was a near-run thing!

I've shut me coat in there now!

It's a twin-edged sword because winner buys lunch.

-So every cloud has a silver lining.

-After you!

-There's no shortage of clouds!

-After you!

'Knocker stands triumphant, and there's a new kid on the block

'down Worcester way.'

180. That's a good bid, actually.

180. If we could just, forgive me,

just move it a tad to 185, I'd feel so much better.

-OK.

-185. You've got yourself a deal.

'That deal, added to the amount Eric made when he sold his remaining Worcester items at auction,

'netted him a total profit of...

'Enough to snatch victory from the Fox.

'And in Worcester! That's Phil's home town!

'Have we mentioned that?'

That was really close there. Knocker did me by £40.

At least the charity's over £400 better off, so I'm delighted.

I tell you what. It's nice to beat the old sly Fox at his own game!

Even though it was by one of his whiskers.

All that matters at the end of the day, really,

is that I've made a tidy sum for my charity.

'Don't count your chickens, chaps.

'There's more challenges before your profit can be banked.

'Tomorrow, Eric and Phil do battle at an antiques fair.'

-How much is it?

-I'm looking at about 30 grand.

That's pretty, isn't it? Yeah.

My name is Eric and I'm a pot-aholic!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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