South 5 Bargain Hunt

We're visiting Wiltshire today, famous for its pre-historic sites.

Now, I doubt our teams today will find anything quite that old

but antiques is the name of our game so let's go Bargain Hunting!

Our teams will be Bargain Hunting

today here in the market town of Marlborough.

In 1653 there was the Great Fire Of Marlborough

that practically burnt the whole place down.

And when they re-built it,

the high street became known as the widest in England.

And it certainly is wide.

Today we've come to the Marlborough Parade Antiques Centre

where our Bargain Hunters will have £300 and one hour to find three items.

Let's hope they know what they're doing when they splash the cash

as the three items will then be sold at auction.

The pair that makes the most

or loses the least will be crowned the winners.

Five, 70...

all done.

We have a plethora of globe trotters on Bargain Hunt today.

Welcome, teams.

Very nice to see you. We've got Chris and Glyn for the Blues

and Diane and Carol for the Reds.

Now, you girls. How do you know each other?

I was invited to a barbecue

by my cousin and she was already a friend of Carol's.

-So I met Carol, and we've been friends ever since.

-How many years ago is that?

About 12 years.

Now you've recently been away haven't you, Diane?

Yes. I came back about three weeks ago from a Caribbean Cruise for two weeks, which was very nice.

-Very good.

-Back to this cold weather!

And what about your favourite hobby? What is that?

Um, horse riding. Horses in general.

-And what do you collect?

-Beswick horses!

Inevitable, isn't it!

-Now, Carol, you're an Administrative Assistant for Metric?

-That's right.

You used to sell houses.

-Do you think that's going to help you today?

-I think so.

With my negotiating skills...yes.

-You're going to make a great deal or two then. Is that right?

-I hope so.

-Now, you haven't always lived in Britain, have you?

-No. In '89 to '93 I lived in The Far East.

-A year in Hong Kong and three in Singapore.

-Was that good fun?

Lovely. It was with my husband's company

-but missed the family so I wanted to come home.

-You had to come home.

I had to come back, yes.

You girls want to do a bit of unzipping before we move over to the Blues, don't you?

-We do.

-OK then. Show us your chests.

Ah! Ha-ha ha!

Is that a hint as to which expert you'd like today, I ask myself?

-Anyway, now for the Blues. Chris and Glyn, how long have you been married for?

-35 years in August.

-How did you meet?

-I'm from Liverpool. Glyn went to college in Liverpool

-and was actually in digs in my mum's best friend's house.

-Right.

-So, that was quite handy!

-Yes, new students in town!

-Yes.

-So you were down there like...

-No, I just happened to be at my friend's.

-And you popped in, and you met. And that was it?

-That's right.

-Yeah.

-Now Glyn, you're retired now, but you worked for the same company for 32 years?

-That's right.

-What did you do with them?

-I was selling marine lubricants.

And do you collect anything?

I've been collecting marathon medals and trophies...

-Because you're a runner?

-I've run 193 marathons.

-You're fit as a flea then!

-No, I was fit. I don't think I'm so fit now!

And what sort of things will you have your eye out for today then?

Well, we like Japanese ware.

So we're going to have our eye out to see if we can find something in the Japanese theme.

Well, that's the spirit of the true Bargain Hunter to go out there and discover some treasure.

Now, the money moment. £300 a piece.

-Thank you.

-You know the rules. Your experts await.

And off you go and very, very, very good luck.

The Red Team got their wish,

joining his globetrotting girls today is Mark Stacey.

And keeping his feet firmly on dry land,

Philip Allwood is helping the Blues.

Now, look. This looks rather fun.

A little pen. Let's call Carol in. Carol.

Now, look what we've got here, a sort of scarf holder.

You thread your scarf through here and secure it. We're going to a country zone.

I think that's got quite a strong marking for the sort of country pursuits angle.

What sort of age do you think it is?

Well, it's gold plated or base metal plated with gold and then

we've got this little roundel here which is probably transfer printed and just painted over.

So I would say that it's probably 1900, 1920s something like that.

-Yes. What price are they asking for it, Mark?

-That's a bit of a worry.

It's marked at £48. We need to get that down a bit, don't we?

-To

-£8. To £8? I don't think you'll get it down to eight.

-Well, we'll see what we can do. We'll ask the dealer to get some off the price.

-Yeah.

-And I think it's also one of those little objects that's quite nice in a little collector's cabinet.

-Yes.

-OK.

-OK. Let's go and talk to them and we'll see what we can do there.

The cheeky Reds didn't negotiate the scarf ring down to £8

but they did get £8 off the price and bagged it for £40.

Philip, could you come and have a look at this?

Well, that's pretty smart isn't it?

Looks very Minton and Charles Rennie Mackintosh design, doesn't it?

But, wrong country.

Eichwald, so German.

-What sort of age do you think it is?

-I think it dates to around 1900ish.

So a little bit after the Rennie Mackintosh period.

And there's a little bit of damage on the...

There is, quite a lot.

But it's still a very nice piece

and somebody might like it to sit on a sideboard.

£22. If you can get a bit off you might be able to attract a buyer that's not worried too much about

the condition and wants to put it on the shelf to have that look.

So if I go and talk to the man nicely, and mention the chips and bashes?

Make a big thing of the chips and bashes, yeah.

You might get away with it.

The condition is going to be the only sticking point, really.

It's very pretty. And for the right price,

we could have a runaway success!

You may or may not have a runaway success with that damage.

I like it. I'm going to ask him what we can have off it. Anything off it.

Get as much as you can off it.

Might have a tenner in it maybe?

I think you'll struggle with the damage.

We'll go with the gods and hope for it. Thank you.

Which god is she praying to?

-I don't know!

-Let's hope it's an all powerful one!

They could indeed be in need of divine intervention

after buying that vase for £18.

Over with the Reds, Carol's found something she's rather keen on.

-Mark!

-Yes?

I want that.

-Well, what attracts you about it?

-Because it's Copenhagen.

It's Copenhagen, yes. Well, we've got the marks for Copenhagen here.

It's 20th century, around 1930, I guess. What do you think?

Yeah, I like it. It's a nice size.

-But...

-It depends what price it is really.

£54.

-You need to get that down.

-To?

Well, as low as possible. £45, something like that?

-OK.

-Um, but it's quite a nice, clean winter landscape, isn't it

with the autumnal leaves on the front there.

And yes, it might just appeal to a younger buyer as well, so you never know.

Got it right this time then?

Well, I... As I say, you never know.

Mark didn't look too impressed there.

But with £45 paid, Carol's not a lady to be messed with.

Philip. This is something quite tactile.

-Ooh, yeah.

-Might be interesting.

-What do you think of that?

Is it for taking your boots off?

-Girls!

-It's a catapult!

Oh!

Catapult.

It says here, early 19th century Ivory Coast carving.

-That's West Africa then?

-Yeah, yeah.

-Nice thing.

-It hasn't got the "toom" bit.

No, you could soon put that on there.

How old it is difficult to tell.

It could have just been made in the past 50 years.

That said...

They've called early 19th century.

I believe that, but it's very difficult to date.

-Um...

-And price?

Well, they've got £95 on there.

So if we can buy that for a sensible price?

£70... £80. You might have some mileage in that.

We might do very well.

And unusual, so.

-Definitely unusual.

-And dual purpose.

Dual purpose... boots, catapult...

brilliant!

Something for everybody there!

A versatile piece... at £69 for the catapult,

we'll see what the buyers think.

They've got £213 though left to spend.

So, here's Diane. What have you found, Diane?

Um, a pair of epaulettes. But I don't know much more about them.

Well, I think we can say they're naval epaulettes,

because we've got the anchor here.

And when we turn them over, oh, look, wonderful,

we've got Goode's Officers Stores Portsmouth Naval Outfitters.

They'd look fantastic on the shoulders?

-No. Don't like them.

-You don't like them?

-No.

-They're naff.

-Oh, they're not naff! I think they're wonderful.

-I don't like them.

-I think they're lovely. Do you like them?

-Yeah, I do like them.

But what else could we use them for, I wonder?

I think they'd be an interior designer's piece.

On curtains Carol, for tie backs?

-Not in my house!

-Swags.

-No?

No, well you're quite firm about it.

I don't like them. I think they're awful.

Well, I think they're fantastic actually.

But how much are they?

Well, they're 125, Mark.

-Oh, that's a bit much.

-I thought you said 100 and what?

-25.

Pence. No.

We are running out of time here. So I think we've got to go for it.

-On your head be it!

-Or shoulders!

£95. That's a lot of weight to carry on your shoulders, Mark.

I don't like 'em.

THEY CONVERSE QUIETLY

Oh, hello.

I've just found these two skewers.

What are we saying here? Pair of silver game skewers.

French, circa 1820. Quite possibly. Nice slender ones.

So it's not going to be for

anything like a ham or anything like that, is it?

These are dainty little things.

You can see the hallmarks on there which are certainly French hallmarks.

1820s... don't know.

-I'd have to do a bit more checking up on that. They certainly look to be of that sort of period.

-Silver.

Certainly, they're silver, yes.

They'll be quite possibly a lower content silver than English silver.

So they might be 80% silver as opposed to 95, 92.5%

which it has to be in England.

They seem a bit thin, but they are hallmark silver, as you say.

But £95. What do you think we need to get them for to make any money on the day?

I don't think that £95 is a huge amount.

They are quite fun things, aren't they?

So, maybe popular with a sportsman.

Well, they could appeal to the huntin', shootin', fishin' crowd.

So for the right price we should give it a go? Third item.

-I think it's got some mileage in there.

-Good.

Nice things.

Or you could just have some fun with them.

But I'll grouse all day!

Again! He does that all the time anyway, doesn't he?

Don't you think? It's what you were telling me earlier on!

£84.50 paid.

Time please, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much.

Well, it's time for him and it's time's up for our teams.

Let's recap on what the Reds bought. Cheers.

The foxy ladies' first buy was the scarf ring at £40.

Next, going against the look of disgust on the expert's face,

Carol stood her ground and paid £45 for the Copenhagen vase.

And home decorating tips aside,

the epaulettes marched into the Red's bag for £95.

-So you girls, did you have a good time shopping?

-We did.

Well, you've spent a magnificent £180 which is super and I'd like £120 of leftover lolly.

That's for you. Now, Mark, what are you going to do with that?

Well, I'm confused of Marlborough because I simply don't know.

I've got so many things in my mind, so many cabinets to look at. I can't decide what I'm going to buy!

But you're normally Mr Decisive.

I normally go for something right at the morning...

and I think, "I need enough money to buy that."

Today, I can't find a thing. So I'm going to have to leave it right till the last minute.

We're excited for you and very good luck.

Meanwhile, let's remind ourselves of what the Blues bought.

Glyn thinks an auction room full of flower arrangers

could be the answer for the £18 vase.

At £69, the Blues are hoping the catapult

will launch them into profit.

Their final item is the pair of £84.50 French silver game skewers.

I hope they don't get stuck on these at the auction.

So Glyn and Chris, did you have a good time shopping? Was it good?

Absolutely super.

Well, you've spend a £171.50, jolly clever of you and I'd like £128.50

of leftover lolly which goes straight to Philip Allwood.

Now Phil, what are you going to do with all that cash now?

It's more than enough for what I've got in mind.

-Oh, yes?

-Yes.

-What would that be?

-I couldn't possibly tell you.

-Anyway, very good luck, Philip.

Right then, they've bought their items.

We're heading off to auction with them where they hope they will make a profit.

We're off to Crewkerne for our auction today.

And our Blue team have a solid start...

That's not too bad, girls.

Stand by for the catapult.

-..while the Reds are settling old scores.

-They don't like it, Carol.

They don't like your vase!

Last time at 22.

So, girls, you did rather well.

£180 you spent, £120 went to Mark Stacey. What did he spend it on?

I spent it on this little writing box.

It's a Victorian or Edwardian about 1900-ish.

But what I particularly like about it - it's so small.

-Does need a little bit of work. It's not in pristine condition as you say.

-Look at that.

Little bit of work, eh?

But I rather like this little drawer with this flush brass handle.

And it only cost me £25.

-How much?

-Ah! 25.

-£25?

-£25.

-You were ripped off.

-I don't think I was you know.

I think on a good day that might make £40.

Carol has this doubting manner about her.

I don't know if you've noticed this? Is this usual?

-You haven't at all?

-Yes!

What's this? It's broke!

Oh, Mark, come on... it's broke!

-Try and rise above that, Carol.

-Now, Diane, do you like this?

-From the outside.

-You do.

-Yes.

It doesn't really matter if you girls like it or not.

Is there a profit in it? He says there is.

Remember that. You decide later.

Right now, for the viewers at home let's find out what the auctioneer thinks of Mark's little box.

So Richard, this is a nice small size isn't it?

It is a nice small size and it appears to be quite well made from the outside.

It's got a nice brass fittings

and the little brass drawer at the bottom. It's quite promising.

Let's have a look and see what it's like inside, cos that's the critical thing.

Ah well, sadly,

inside, it's seen better days and I don't know whether many people

are going want to spend a lot of money on doing that up.

So, as a sort of tempting "come and buy me" estimate, what would you say?

I think a tempting "come and buy me" estimate is £15 to £20.

But it could make a little more if somebody feels

-like taking it on and spending some time doing it up.

-Yes, quite.

Mark Stacey paid £25. He's hopeful. I've a funny feeling he will turn a small profit...

-I think there will be a profit in that.

-Which is absolutely lovely.

So Chris, Glyn, you spent an eccentric £171.50.

You gave £128.50 to P Allwood.

Philip, what did you spend it on?

It's interesting you use the word eccentric because there we have it,

a nice little snuff box made out of a hoof.

Open it up and bung your snuff in there.

And when you're out riding your horse...

it's got to be country-ish hasn't it? I thought it was a lovely thing - lovely quality.

And you spent how much on it?

£50. But I think, actually, in a right sort of, sporty sort of sale you'd get a profit on that.

-Excellent.

-I think for the snuff box collectors...

-Yes, that's the point isn't it? There are a lot of snuff box collectors.

-Yeah.

They're forever looking for variety.

Just slip it away. Yeah, good.

-It's gone.

-Slip it back. thank you very much!

Anyway, you don't decide now.

For the viewers at home, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Philip Allwood's little box.

-Well, well, well.

-Isn't that sweet?

That is delightful. It's a beautifully made little thing.

In fact it's nature made of course because it is half of a hoof.

And it opens to hold snuff perhaps,

-or something similar anyway.

-Yes. So, what do you think for this little delight?

I think that's a bit of fun and it could make £30 to £50.

Brilliant. Philip Allwood paid £50.

I think he could trot off very nicely.

Oh, ho! So trite!

..for the last time at 80. All done.

-All right girls?

-Yes.

-This is fun isn't it?

-It is.

Have you ever seen so many people jammed into one room?

-No.

-It's good isn't it?

-Even you're impressed aren't you, Carol?

-Yes.

-That's lovely!

Anyway, first up is the scarf ring.

Mark's item and here it comes.

Lot 145 is the Edwardian fox mask scarf ring.

Start me on this one if you will at £30. £30 for it?

£30, £30 I see, £35, are you bidding, sir?

£40? £40 near the camera.

£40 and I'm selling.

At £40, last time at 40. Any more?

At £40, all done.

-Bad luck.

-What did we pay?

-£40.

-Even, then.

Quite right. here comes Copenhagen.

Shall we say £20 for that? £20 for it? 15 if it helps.

£15 anywhere?

They don't like it, Carol.

They don't like your vase!

At £10. Thank you. £10.

I'm selling now at £10.

Maiden bid at ten only.

Last time at £10 and I'm selling.

Last time.

Oh, dear! Minus 35 on that, Carol.

-Now the epaulettes.

-Here we go.

OK. Come on!

Lot 147 is a pair of Edwardian naval officer's epaulettes.

And start me here at £30 for these.

£30 for them. At £30. 20 if it helps.

-£20.

-No!

-At £20.

Ten if you wish.

At £10. A spoken bid at ten. I can sell at £10 only.

Will anyone say 12? £10 only.

Last time then at £10 only. £10 all done.

£10 is minus 85.

Ten, 11, that is minus £120 overall, girls.

-We're doing well, then!

-You spent 180 and you're minus 120.

This is not a great start to the night. What are you going to do about the cabinet?

-We'll go with it.

-We'll go with it. We're going to go...

-We've got to go...

-You've got to go...

-We've got to!

-Here it comes.

The mahogany stationery cabinet. And start me here at £15 for it.

£15. £15 I see. 18 now. 20.

No, £22, bid at £22, 25, 28.

Are you bidding sir? No, 28. Are you bidding madam? 30.

£30. It's in front of me at 30.

I'm selling now at £30. £30 and I'm selling.

Last time at 30.

-Well, done, Mark. £30.

-That's a little something...

That's £5 on that which means overall you are minus £115.

Minus 115. Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Well, if you're going to do it...

-We'll still win!

Well, you never know, girls. That could be a winning score if it goes really bad for the Blues!

-It could be. Don't tell the Blues a thing!

-No.

-Let's not put them out of their agony.

Now Glyn, Chris, do you know how the Reds did?

-No idea.

-You don't know how they did.

That's just as well. Good.

First up is your vase Chris, and here it comes.

Eichwald vase, of Art Nouveau design.

And shall we say £8 for that.

£8 for it? £8 if you will. £5 then.

£5. £8 now? Are you bidding sir? Ten, 12, £12 to my right at 12.

Selling at 12. All done at £12 only.

Last time at 12.

Minus £6. That's not too bad.

Sand by for the catapult.

This is an unusual 19th century Ivory Coast catapult.

£20 is bid on it. £20 I have. It's on commission at 20.

25? 30, five, at £35. At £35 and I'm selling it in the room now at £35.

All done then. The last time at £35.

Marvellous. That is 29 + five back.

That is £34 down the toilet!

-That's a loss!

-Next, the skewers.

Two late 19th century French silver game skewers.

And bids - start me here at £25. Can I say 30 for them? It's at £25 on commission.

At 25, and I'm selling now at £25.

At £25 for the last time.

All done then at 25.

£25. Bad luck! That's minus £59.50.

Which means that overall you're minus £99.50!

-So what are you going to do about the bonus buy?

-We're going with it.

-You're going to go with it. You paid £50.

-£50...did I?

-Yes.

Horn snuff box with a horseshoe motif. £25 for this. £25 for it.

30 now, 35, 40, 45, 50, five.

55, gentleman seated at 55.

And I'm selling now at £55. All done at 55.

-We're in profit! £55!

-Marvellous!

£5 profit. Very good.

Which means overall you're minus £94.50.

-That could be a winning score.

-It could.

-It could.

-Yes, we'll find out in a minute.

Well, we have had a spectacular day today haven't we?

Thumping great losses all round.

Now to reveal the team that has the largest losses today and they are the Reds.

Oh, no!

You lost on every single item or you wiped your face with the exception of the bonus buy.

You were just unlucky in the auction. Unlucky big time!

But you're being great sports, girls and thank you very much for joining us. It's been wonderful.

But the victors, who only managed to lose £94.50.

You did however get a profit.

Allwood made a profit of a five pound note on the horn snuffbox.

-You'd have been very upset if that hadn't made a profit.

-I would.

-Had a good time?

-Fabulous.

-Lovely to see you on the show.

-Join us soon for some more Bargain Hunting, yes?

-ALL: Yes!