0:00:03 > 0:00:07Hello and welcome to Osborne House
0:00:07 > 0:00:10on the Isle of Wight for the show that asks the top professionals
0:00:10 > 0:00:13what you should be spending your money on.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17I'm Cherry Healey and I'm travelling to spectacular locations
0:00:17 > 0:00:21around Britain to ask the country's best experts to show you
0:00:21 > 0:00:23how to shop like a pro.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26From TVs, steam irons and toasters...
0:00:26 > 0:00:29Cheers.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32..to bed linen, hair products and luggage,
0:00:32 > 0:00:36our specialists will push everything to its limits to help you choose
0:00:36 > 0:00:38what to buy and why.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43January and February is the time of year to bag a gardening bargain,
0:00:43 > 0:00:47so, here at English Heritage's most visited palace,
0:00:47 > 0:00:51the ground staff will decide if the latest equipment is up to the job.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54You're not going to electrocute yourself by running over the cable.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56- That's always going to be good. - Yes, staying alive is good.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00Also on the programme, our reporter Naga Munchetty investigates
0:01:00 > 0:01:03if living in Britain means we pay more for our cosmetics...
0:01:03 > 0:01:06In the UK it's around £15 a bottle.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Here I can get two for around £11.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14..and inventor Tom Lawton finds out if you can breathe new life
0:01:14 > 0:01:17into broken gadgets, instead of shelling out for new ones.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22It clearly works, but there's no suction whatsoever.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27If you want the inside track on the latest products from the people
0:01:27 > 0:01:30really in the know, then look no further.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34This is What To Buy And Why.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41Osborne House,
0:01:41 > 0:01:47Queen Victoria and Princess Albert's seaside retreat, was built the 1840s.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51Today more than 250,000 people come here every year,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54one of the biggest draws, the immaculate grounds.
0:01:54 > 0:01:59In the UK 12 million of us are regular gardeners,
0:01:59 > 0:02:04spending £5 billion a year on plants and equipment in the process.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07It may seem more obvious to buy in the summer,
0:02:07 > 0:02:10but if you shop now, whilst it's still out of the season,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13you're far more likely to land the best deals.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Now, I'm completely clueless when it comes to knowing what gear
0:02:18 > 0:02:22I should be buying, but thankfully the same can't be said
0:02:22 > 0:02:24for some people around here.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37Supervisor Alan and his team of highly skilled gardeners
0:02:37 > 0:02:42are responsible for keeping all 270 acres of plants,
0:02:42 > 0:02:47hedges and meadows in pristine condition.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51- Is this how it would have looked if I was Queen Victoria?- Yes.
0:02:51 > 0:02:56- We try to be PC, which is, in our terms, period correct.- OK.
0:02:56 > 0:03:02And Queen Victoria passed away in 1901, so we try to use plants
0:03:02 > 0:03:06that were available in this country before 1901.
0:03:06 > 0:03:07That's amazing!
0:03:13 > 0:03:15With this incredible attention to detail,
0:03:15 > 0:03:19who better to get us started on our first product test?
0:03:21 > 0:03:24Get this - we spend, on average,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27around two months of our lives mowing our lawns.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30If you're going to be spending that much time doing it,
0:03:30 > 0:03:33you might as well make sure you've got the right piece of kit.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36The priciest item of garden equipment most of us will ever buy
0:03:36 > 0:03:38is the lawnmower.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42And the fastest-growing domestic options are cordless,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45with sales last year rising by nearly 60%,
0:03:45 > 0:03:50but they don't come cheap, costing up to £500.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53But how well do they work?
0:03:53 > 0:03:55And do you need to spend big bucks,
0:03:55 > 0:03:59or do the machines at the cheaper end the market cut the mustard?
0:03:59 > 0:04:01Grass would have been worked a bit better there.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Yes, there's no point in going cordless if the battery can't
0:04:04 > 0:04:08get round the back yard in one go, so our gardeners are going to do
0:04:08 > 0:04:13the legwork for us to find out if paying more guarantees longer mowing.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15Lawnmowers ready.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21Philip has the cheapest option we could find, the £150 Sovereign.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25The makers say the battery can keep going for 30 minutes.
0:04:25 > 0:04:31Jo is using our mid-priced option, the £269 Bosch.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35It should last longer - supposedly up to 45 minutes.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38And Philip, again, is...
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Oh, no, it's his twin brother, Nigel,
0:04:41 > 0:04:45manning our priciest mower, the £500 Ryobi.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48It has twin batteries so, although there's no specified survival time,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51we're expecting great things.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53..one, go!
0:05:04 > 0:05:06When cordless mowers were first launched,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08battery life was a real problem,
0:05:08 > 0:05:12with some running out of power before the lawn was even finished.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15We want to know if they've got any better.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19So, what are your predictions with these three mowers?
0:05:19 > 0:05:23- It should be the Ryobi, cos it's got the double battery.- Right.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27Are battery-powered mowers a gimmick?
0:05:27 > 0:05:29They are safer than using a cord -
0:05:29 > 0:05:32you're not going to electrocute yourself by running over the cable.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34- That's always going to be good. - Yes, staying alive is good.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38For well over half an hour, all three cut away very happily.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40But then...
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Oh, they've stopped.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45The Sovereign has run out of battery.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50Which is not surprising - it is the smallest mower.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53But it comfortably lasted for more than the 30 minutes
0:05:53 > 0:05:55the manufacturer said it would,
0:05:55 > 0:05:59and made decent inroads into this huge expanse of Osborne House lawn.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02That's cut a third of that area,
0:06:02 > 0:06:05plenty big enough for a small garden.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08And it's only £150, which is considerably cheaper than the others.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13The Bosch and the Ryobi plough on for another ten minutes,
0:06:13 > 0:06:17- but then a surprise second casualty. - Gone!
0:06:17 > 0:06:20Oh, interesting, so the Ryobi has died.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- That is, actually. - That's... Are you surprised?
0:06:23 > 0:06:26I am a bit because the Ryobi's got two batteries there.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28So the Bosch is still going,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31and it's significantly cheaper than the Ryobi.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34About £230 cheaper to be precise.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Another few minutes, it, too, bites the dust.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- I'm out.- Oh, the Bosch is gone!
0:06:40 > 0:06:43They've all gone. It's the end of the race.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47After the battery test, the Bosch is our surprise front runner,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50but don't rush out to the sales just yet -
0:06:50 > 0:06:52there are more challenges to come.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Will the Sovereign and Ryobi fight back
0:06:55 > 0:06:58as we test manoeuvrability and look to find the ultimate cut
0:06:58 > 0:07:02in our very own back yard obstacle challenge?
0:07:02 > 0:07:06Find out later which mower to buy and why.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18In this series we want to introduce you to top professionals
0:07:18 > 0:07:20who really know their stuff,
0:07:20 > 0:07:24passionate specialists whose short cuts and money-saving tips
0:07:24 > 0:07:26could help us all become better shoppers.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32I'm Andreas, I was voted Greengrocer of the Year 2015.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36You can make your celery and leeks last longer
0:07:36 > 0:07:38by taking the very tops off.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41This will stop them from rotting from the top down.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47I'm Carlos, my parents have run these stalls for as long as
0:07:47 > 0:07:50I can remember, so I guess fruit and veg are in my blood.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56To bring your wrinkly lemons back to life, boil them in water
0:07:56 > 0:08:00for a few minutes and leave them to cool and they'll be as good as new.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06I'm David. I've been in the fresh produce industry for 30 years.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10If you got hard avocados, green bananas,
0:08:10 > 0:08:13just pop them in a bag with an apple.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15The apple will release a gas called ethylene,
0:08:15 > 0:08:18which, within a couple of days, will ripen them up.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22When you buy your herbs and chillies, chop them up,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25put them in a bag in the freezer, then you can use them as and when
0:08:25 > 0:08:28you need and they won't end up rotting in the back of your fridge.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Still to come here at Osborne House, cameras.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Sales have fallen by 35% since 2010,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47largely because of the convenience of being able to snap away
0:08:47 > 0:08:49with our mobiles.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Chizu. That's what they say in Japan.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55But, is the quality of the pictures you take on your phone
0:08:55 > 0:08:59anything like as good as those you get from a compact?
0:08:59 > 0:09:02We'll find out which takes the best photo in our
0:09:02 > 0:09:05What To Buy And Why shoot-out.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08But first, cosmetics.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Us Brits pay more for our make-up than many of
0:09:10 > 0:09:15our European counterparts, so just how bad a deal are we getting?
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Lipstick in hand, our roving reporter,
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Naga Munchetty, investigates.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23Take these products here - liquid soap, sun cream, make-up remover.
0:09:23 > 0:09:28Even online this lot will set you back £208.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32To find out how much it would cost to buy them in Europe,
0:09:32 > 0:09:34I'm heading to our nearest neighbour.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Can I save money on my make-up
0:09:39 > 0:09:43and get a day out in the most romantic city in the world?
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Only one way to find out. Paris, here I come.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51Just to get to France, the cheapest advance tickets are around £72,
0:09:51 > 0:09:54so those prices need to be pretty good for me to pull this off.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00I'm going to look for exactly the same eight randomly chosen products
0:10:00 > 0:10:03that we bought in the UK, to see how much cheaper they are here.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07First stop, discount chemist City Pharma.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12I can't believe how busy it is in here.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14People are buying in bulk,
0:10:14 > 0:10:17and obviously there are some bargains to have,
0:10:17 > 0:10:19so I'm going to go and find what's on our list.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21Sorry.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23With this many people shopping here
0:10:23 > 0:10:25I'm starting to think I'm on to something.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28The first product I spot, make-up remover.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31In the UK it's around £15 a bottle.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35Here I can get two for around £11.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38And I've just spotted some sunscreen, as well.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41It's around £8, which is pricey,
0:10:41 > 0:10:45but back home in pharmacies and even online, it's much, much more.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52Lip balm, even that saves me £1.64.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Excuse me.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Let's see if the firming serum is cheaper here too.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00I know quite a few people who buy this back home
0:11:00 > 0:11:04and they spend £45 on a smaller bottle.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Here, £24. Good bargain.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Next, a quick stop at make-up shop Sephora.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15So, this foundation is about £5 more expensive
0:11:15 > 0:11:17online in the UK.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19It all adds up.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27And my final shop, the supermarket chain Monoprix.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30I make a £5 saving on an anti-ageing moisturiser,
0:11:30 > 0:11:32and then, to really clean up...
0:11:33 > 0:11:36This is upwards of a tenner in the UK,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39which, if you ask me, is a lot of money for soap.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Here it's just £4. Probably worth buying two.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50I've now bought exactly the same items that I sourced back home.
0:11:50 > 0:11:51Time to crunch the numbers.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55So, if I'd bought all of these products in the UK,
0:11:55 > 0:11:59looking for best prices online, it would have cost me £208.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04Today I've spent £135, so I've made a saving of £73.
0:12:04 > 0:12:10My train ticket was £72. I've done it, I'm in profit.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14The more make-up you buy, the more money you'll ultimately save,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17leaving you with more cash in hand to enjoy yourself.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20Talking of which, salut!
0:12:23 > 0:12:26And it's not just cosmetics we're paying through the nose for.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31Furniture is more expensive for us than for anyone else in Europe.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35So, hire a van, head to IKEA in Lens, an hour outside Calais.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39With just a few items you'll cover the cost of the ferry.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41What about clothing?
0:12:41 > 0:12:45In London this outfit from Zara cost £305,
0:12:45 > 0:12:48but in Spain it's £223.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53An £82 saving that could get you a return flight to Madrid.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57I tell you what, I could get used to this kind of shopping trip.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Given how picturesque it is here at Osborne House,
0:13:07 > 0:13:11it's the perfect setting to take a few pics and the odd selfie.
0:13:11 > 0:13:12OK, babe, pose.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Just make sure you get my good side.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16You don't have a good side.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22Three quarters of all Brits now own a smartphone,
0:13:22 > 0:13:27and, of those, 95% have used them to take pictures, so unsurprisingly
0:13:27 > 0:13:32sales of compact digital cameras have dropped dramatically.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36But are we sacrificing picture quality by shunning compact,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39or are the cameras now so good on these
0:13:39 > 0:13:42that you no longer need to buy one of these?
0:13:44 > 0:13:46To find out, I've enlisted the help
0:13:46 > 0:13:48of one of Britain's top photographers,
0:13:48 > 0:13:49Christopher Ison.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53His portfolio includes wildlife,
0:13:53 > 0:13:55adventure, and sport,
0:13:55 > 0:13:59so there isn't much he doesn't know about what makes cameras tick
0:13:59 > 0:14:01or click.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07A few years ago I would have said that a camera on a phone versus
0:14:07 > 0:14:10a compact camera, there's no way the phone's going to win.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13Times have changed and phone manufacturers have invested a lot
0:14:13 > 0:14:18of money in producing high-quality lenses and sensors for their phones.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- It is a fairly fair fight. - Absolutely.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- Yes, for the camera section, yes.- OK.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26Well, let's see how they work in practice.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30'We're going to take a series of identical photos
0:14:30 > 0:14:34'on a best-selling camera phone and a best-selling compact.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36'Both have 16 megapixels
0:14:36 > 0:14:39'and all snaps will be taken in automatic mode.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41'When we're done, we'll compare the results.'
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- Look at this, this is cool. - Queen Victoria's bathing machine.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47If you've got to protect somebody's modesty, it's got to be the Queen's.
0:14:47 > 0:14:48It's going to be the Queen's.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55'To test the skin tone, a couple of quick portraits.'
0:14:55 > 0:14:57- All right.- Chizu.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- That's what they say in Japan. - Oh, really?- Yes.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05So it will be interesting to see if your camera is able to zoom in
0:15:05 > 0:15:07and to photograph that boat.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09It has the equivalent of a 480mm zoom.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11OK, let's see how mine does.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14'Next, how well do our devices cope with close-ups?'
0:15:14 > 0:15:16Here is a shell.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- Look at that.- OK, let's see how this does. OK.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23'Back to the house to see how well
0:15:23 > 0:15:27'the cameras cope in the lowlight of the magnificent Durbar Room.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30'Victoria and Albert's banqueting hall.'
0:15:30 > 0:15:34- Wow. That is absolutely beautiful. - Stunning.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37'First, a quick red-eye test with the flash.'
0:15:37 > 0:15:39Cheese.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42'And finally some pictures with the flash off.'
0:15:44 > 0:15:49'We've taken plenty of photos, now it's time to review our handiwork.
0:15:49 > 0:15:50'First up, the portraits.'
0:15:50 > 0:15:53Which do you think, technically, is the better picture?
0:15:53 > 0:15:57- I think the colours are nicer on the phone.- It's warmer.- Yes.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- I mean, I look like I really need a spray tan there.- Slightly washed out.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04So, the first picture here's the compact camera, at full zoom.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07That's amazing detail, you can see the people on the boat.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09It was probably a mile away, that boat.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12And actually you can see the pylons in the distance.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Yes, the camera phone.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Whoa, that is bad!
0:16:17 > 0:16:19So, next was the beautiful shell.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21If you really want to get in close, the camera phone wins.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- I was really expecting the compact camera to win that one.- Yes.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27Cos of the lens,
0:16:27 > 0:16:30I really thought that it would do better on that test.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33'The flash on the compact performed well indoors with no red eye,
0:16:33 > 0:16:35'unlike the phone.'
0:16:35 > 0:16:37The flash on the phone is very harsh.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40'But, with the flash turned off, however...'
0:16:40 > 0:16:41This is the camera.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46It's not particularly great, I must say. It doesn't look hugely sharp.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49The phone, it's definitely crisper.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52I'm surprised that the phone did better.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56So, what's our expert verdict?
0:16:56 > 0:16:59The phone won almost every test except for the zoom
0:16:59 > 0:17:02and the subtlety of the flash in low light.
0:17:02 > 0:17:07You are a professional photographer, so, in your opinion,
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- which do you want in your pocket? - Definitely the phone.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12- Really?- Absolutely.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15If you're going to carry a camera in your pocket,
0:17:15 > 0:17:17then it might as well be on your phone.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25More ingenious money-saving tips now
0:17:25 > 0:17:28from our resident team of specialists.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31I'm Amanda.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34About ten years ago, I decided to start my own cleaning business.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37Here's a simple tip to vanish lingering smells
0:17:37 > 0:17:39from your microwave. You take a bowl of water
0:17:39 > 0:17:41and put a slice of lemon in it.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Put the microwave on for a couple of minutes and then it will
0:17:44 > 0:17:47ventilate the microwave and make it smell as fresh as a daisy.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50I'm Jan, I'm a housekeeper.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53My aim is to leave the house looking sparkling and clean
0:17:53 > 0:17:55as if no-one's ever stayed in it before.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59You might be surprised to know that baby oil cleans many surfaces
0:17:59 > 0:18:03and protects them in the home. Granite, stainless steel.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06You just need a little dab on a cloth,
0:18:06 > 0:18:10then just polish it on. Then you just take a soft cloth,
0:18:10 > 0:18:15Buff it up and it will give you a really professional finish.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Don't clean windows on a sunny day.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21The sunlight will dry out the product too fast and leave smears.
0:18:21 > 0:18:26Wait until it's cloudy and this will ultimately save you time and money.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29My name is Arnold Shine, so it's no surprise I'm a cleaner.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33You can save money on expensive air fresheners by using some
0:18:33 > 0:18:37essential oils on your radiators. It'll send a lovely smell
0:18:37 > 0:18:40around your home and will last loads longer than an air freshener.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53We buy more consumable goods than any other nation in Europe,
0:18:53 > 0:18:57but we're also one of the worst culprits for throwing things away.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Take electronics.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04We chuck more than 1.4 million tonnes of the stuff every year,
0:19:04 > 0:19:06so are we being too hasty?
0:19:08 > 0:19:10We sent inventor and product designer Tom Lawton
0:19:10 > 0:19:15to have a root around to try and find some treasure in the trash.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18You'd have thought that something has to be wrong with this,
0:19:18 > 0:19:20otherwise why would you throw it away?
0:19:20 > 0:19:22These are expensive, aren't they?
0:19:22 > 0:19:26A new Dyson like this would set you back well over £200.
0:19:26 > 0:19:31So, instead of replacing it, can it be brought back to life?
0:19:31 > 0:19:32Into the workshop we go.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34MOTOR WHIRS
0:19:35 > 0:19:39You know, it clearly works, but there's no suction whatsoever.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41A quick search on the internet can give you a range
0:19:41 > 0:19:43of troubleshooting ideas.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45The first thing to do is try and clean out this.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Oh, look at that.
0:19:47 > 0:19:48Let's check the hose out.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Oh, yes, that's properly blocked.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52Aha!
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Let's try that again.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56And see if there's any suction.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59A little bit, but nowhere near enough.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02You can easily find instruction manuals online.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05The one for this vacuum reveals the filter should be cleaned every
0:20:05 > 0:20:08three months, but by the looks of things...
0:20:08 > 0:20:10These are filthy.
0:20:10 > 0:20:11A quick wash later and...
0:20:11 > 0:20:13MOTOR WHIRS
0:20:15 > 0:20:17You know, as far as I can see,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20this is a fully functioning vacuum cleaner.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23That's over £200 you won't need to spend -
0:20:23 > 0:20:26no repairs, no replacement parts,
0:20:26 > 0:20:29just a bit of research and some hot, soapy water.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36Loads of things can be fixed instead of replaced.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Take this £60 kiddy's scooter.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41Do you know what? This one's going to be an easy fix.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43It's just the back wheel that's seized.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46A bit sad, really, that it's been thrown away just because of that.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50It can be as simple as finding a spare part from other stuff
0:20:50 > 0:20:51that's lying around.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54I'll just whip this wheel off, which is identical.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58Just seconds later the scooter's ready to go.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00How easy is that?
0:21:00 > 0:21:05A broken pair of headphones look like they'd be a more challenging fix.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07They look quite good quality, as well.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10These would cost nearly £90 to replace.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Now, they do look all sealed up and with electronics
0:21:13 > 0:21:16sometimes it's a little bit intimidating to even start to
0:21:16 > 0:21:19fix them, but if they are broken anyhow, what have I got to lose?
0:21:19 > 0:21:23A quick look inside reveals a very obvious disconnected wire.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27That's an electrical contact, so no wonder it wasn't working.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30A simple reconnection later...
0:21:32 > 0:21:34And honestly that looks like it's fixed.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Screws in, earpads on,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39and Tom is ready to get down.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45# Smile and it's a sunshine day... #
0:21:47 > 0:21:49Well, they work. That's awesome.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51So, thanks to a few simple fixes,
0:21:51 > 0:21:55Tom could have saved himself over £350 in replacement goods.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58So the next time that you think you're going to bin something,
0:21:58 > 0:22:00ask yourself the question if you can fix it
0:22:00 > 0:22:02and you might save a whole lot of money.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08Earlier the expert gardeners here at Osborne house
0:22:08 > 0:22:12tested these three cordless mowers for battery power.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15The Bosch is leading the pack, but there's still plenty to play for
0:22:15 > 0:22:19to see which one is worth picking up in the sales.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27We want to know which will perform best in our own back yards.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32Our experts will each push their mowers through our
0:22:32 > 0:22:35challenging obstacle course so they can assess handling,
0:22:35 > 0:22:39edging and ultimately how well they will mow your lawn,
0:22:39 > 0:22:43to find out which gives you the best bang for your buck.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59First up is head honcho Alan, who is pushing the Ryobi,
0:22:59 > 0:23:03our top-priced option at £499.
0:23:03 > 0:23:08Despite its dual battery system, it placed second in our mower marathon.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11- You can do the driving.- Oh!
0:23:11 > 0:23:13- And I'll just natter. - Oh.- Sounds good?
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Sounds like the wife.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24I'm looking to see how it cuts to the edging alongside the fence here.
0:23:24 > 0:23:25Without going on to the fence.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29- Don't go onto the fence because you'll damage the blade.- A corner.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33- That wasn't comfortable. - It's not ideal.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35In a small confined space like this,
0:23:35 > 0:23:38it is quite a long mower with the box on.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41He looks worried, Alan. He's praying.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45He's got his hands on the prayer position. Careful.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47It's pretty good, it's got a blade that cuts
0:23:47 > 0:23:50as a trimmer on the side of the mower here -
0:23:50 > 0:23:52- I don't know if you can see. - Yes, easy edge.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56And I'm getting pretty close to the side of the feet here.
0:23:57 > 0:24:02Up next is silver fox Nigel, driving our mid-priced machine,
0:24:02 > 0:24:05the Bosch, priced at £269.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09It lasted the longest in the battery comparison.
0:24:12 > 0:24:13- Bosch on.- Right.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17Here we go. It looks nice and light.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20- Yes, it's a nice, light, compact machine.- It is compact.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22Seems to be getting up to the obstacles quite well.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24It is not too long, though.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28No, how would you say it is doing on how close it gets to the edge?
0:24:28 > 0:24:30I'd say it gets up to the edge pretty well, actually.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32You look very comfortable.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Yes, the handles are quite long, actually, so it's -
0:24:35 > 0:24:38much like wearing gloves - it gives you a lot more better grip, really.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Is that a mowing tip?
0:24:40 > 0:24:44It is - you get a better grip and also it helps against vibration
0:24:44 > 0:24:48- so that you don't get white finger. - What is white finger?
0:24:48 > 0:24:50White finger's when you lose all the sensation in the tips
0:24:50 > 0:24:54- of your fingers and you can't pick up any beer any more.- What?
0:24:54 > 0:24:56- That's not OK!- I know.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00And finally Jo, who'll be operating
0:25:00 > 0:25:05our budget mower, the Sovereign - a steal at £150.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08Currently in bronze medal position after the battery test,
0:25:08 > 0:25:12let's see if the underdog can turn things around.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15- Ready?- Yes.- Let's do it.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17That's not...
0:25:17 > 0:25:21- It's not very easy to start cos of the position of the handle.- OK.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26So how is it on the handling? It looks quite light.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29- It's very, very light. - So I suppose for this...
0:25:29 > 0:25:32- You knocked the fountain, I saw it! - I did, I did.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36I do notice that for this, where you're doing lots of turns
0:25:36 > 0:25:40and back and forth, the lightness - I imagine it's quite good right now.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43Yes, it is, actually - it's really, really helpful.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45ENGINE STOPS
0:25:45 > 0:25:48- Oh.- Did you mean to stop it?
0:25:48 > 0:25:51- No, no, I didn't.- What happened? - It just stopped.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54That tricky handle again.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Now that all the mowers have run the garden gauntlet
0:25:59 > 0:26:01and completed the battery mower marathon,
0:26:01 > 0:26:02what's the experts' verdict?
0:26:08 > 0:26:09What do you think?
0:26:09 > 0:26:12- They're all good for their own... - They've all got a place.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15- ..purposes really.- I think the Bosch gives a good finish,
0:26:15 > 0:26:18but the Ryobi has the best finish, the best cut.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21The Sovereign's good, depending on what storage space you've got.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24You know, you might only be able to fit in a Sovereign.
0:26:24 > 0:26:29I didn't really like the Sovereign. It just kept disengaging.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33So the £150 Sovereign was easily the hardest to handle.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37Its cut was decent, though, and its battery did do better than expected.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40The Ryobi gave the best cut, but it's big
0:26:40 > 0:26:42and it came second in the battery test.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46The Bosch won that challenge and was runner-up for the quality
0:26:46 > 0:26:51of mowing, and crucially it's over £200 cheaper than the Ryobi.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54So, as the expert gardeners from Osborne House,
0:26:54 > 0:26:57which mower would you spend your money on?
0:26:57 > 0:26:59- Bosch.- Bosch.- Bosch.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01Bish, bash, Bosch.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03- Unanimous.- Yes.- Why?
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Why? Value for money.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10It's a really good compact machine and it's good for cutting around
0:27:10 > 0:27:13obstacles and it's got a good edging device on it
0:27:13 > 0:27:17and I think for a small garden it's probably not a bad machine to have.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20So, what have the other companies got to say?
0:27:20 > 0:27:23Sovereign told us it was disappointed, but that
0:27:23 > 0:27:26because the product is lightweight and easy to use, it feels the machine
0:27:26 > 0:27:31is an ideal choice for anyone new to gardening, or with a smaller lawn.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34Ryobi said its larger size means it cuts more grass at once
0:27:34 > 0:27:39so works harder and faster, hence the reduced run time in the battery test.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42The company feels it represents a more logical choice
0:27:42 > 0:27:45for larger lawns than the other machines.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50Are you all quite excited to get back to your industrial-sized mowers?
0:27:50 > 0:27:54- Yeah.- Yeah.- Yeah. OK!
0:27:55 > 0:27:59Next week we're in Blackpool to find out how the electricity bill
0:27:59 > 0:28:02for the illuminations was cut by one third
0:28:02 > 0:28:03and how you could do the same at home.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06This technology, which we were one of the pioneers of -
0:28:06 > 0:28:09take in to domestic environments, save yourself a fortune.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11When we buy bed linen, are we being misled
0:28:11 > 0:28:14by manufacturers over the thread count?
0:28:14 > 0:28:20And our expert audio visual engineers will road-test the very latest TVs.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23For the price, you are getting a very nice image.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26So you can choose which one to buy and why.