Stafford 21 Bargain Hunt

We're in the Staffordshire County Showground today.

And with all these ceramics about, we're going to go potty.

So let's go bargain hunting, too.

Once known as the capital of the brewing business

in the United Kingdom,

Staffordshire sure is a fine place to come and have a pint.

In fact, I hope that our teams' glasses will be half-full

rather than half-empty when I call time.

Right then, whose round is it? Yours?

No? Typical!

Coming up on today's show...

-It's a happy and united camp in the Red Team.

-Back on track!

Whilst the Blues have fun with a pun or two.

-That's a bit of a porker, isn't it?

-It's a catch.

Let's trawl for some more.

So let's meet the teams.

So, on the teams today, we have mother and daughter, Carol and June.

And for the Blues, we've got the Baker boys, Mark and Stu.

Hello, everyone. Lovely to see you.

Now, Carol, I understand you're good at fertilisation and propagation?

You're right, Tim.

And I have been doing it mainly in terms of allotment-ing.

-Do you grow your own potatoes?

-I do.

-Lovely.

-Have you got your earlies in?

-I don't do earlies.

-Oh, you don't?

-I only do main crop and salad.

-Lovely.

And what do you get up to

when you're not down at the old allotment?

I'm an independent education consultant.

-Gosh, that's a title.

-It sounds good.

-It does indeed.

What I do, I work with secondary schools mainly

and I review them under the OFSTED criteria.

And then help them to develop action plans and improvement

and do the training.

-Well, it sounds very interesting as well.

-It is, and rewarding.

-Now, June, you're in the same line, aren't you?

-I am.

I currently teach 9 to 10-year-olds

two afternoons a week at a local primary school.

And is this an inevitable family route from mother to daughter?

I think it has sunk in through osmosis over the years, basically.

But you love the job, though?

Yes, they're like little sponges, that age group.

-Their mind's a piece of blotting paper.

-It is.

-It is amazing what they will take on board.

-Yeah.

-Forget it soon after, though!

-Yes!

And you are very keen on antiques and recycling in your family.

I like to think of it as giving a pre-loved item a new home

and I have lots of those in my home.

If people have something they'll give me a ring and say,

"Would you like it?" And I say, "Yes, please!"

Is that what you are going to be buying today then?

I shall be looking for little quirky small items.

All that money is there to be spent, you know.

-You don't have to be modest.

-No, we are good with other people's money.

-Are you going to go and blow the lot?

-Yeah!

We will see in a minute how you get on with that.

Anyway, very good luck, girls.

-Now, 'ello, 'ello, as they say.

-'Ello, 'ello!

-How are you both, in your favourite colour?

-Very well.

Would feel uncomfortable in red.

-You would be, wouldn't you, you both being policemen?

-Yes indeed.

Mark, what particular aspect of the police force is yours?

I am on the traffic department, so motorways and collisions,

fast cars zipping up and down, all that sort of exciting stuff.

When one is going along in the middle lane,

a police BMW goes meeeeow! like that, past you,

you think to yourself, "My gosh, is he late for tea?"

-Oh, we would never do such a thing, Tim!

-Really?

-Of course not.

And tell us about the running.

I have always really enjoyed running, long-distance mostly.

I've done a couple of marathons, the London and Brighton Marathon.

-Raising money for whom?

-For a cancer charity.

So you are fit as a trivet then?

You have got to be able to run after them, haven't you?

-Criminals, Tim.

-Now, Stu, you work in the police too.

-I do.

-What department are you in?

-I am in the response team.

-Where the real work takes place.

-Is it quite exciting?

-It is.

You don't know what you're going to get.

You turn up to work and you think,

you just don't know what you're going to get.

Do you ever get to work together, you two?

-No, unfortunately we are in different forces.

-I see.

But we get the banter and that.

I don't think the public would be ready for the two of us!

It would be interesting, wouldn't it?

So what sort of things will you be going for today?

Handcuffs, couple of truncheons? Anything like that?

Well, if we see anything like that, it may give us

the inspiration to go for that.

I think we are going to try and go for, we're going to take some risks.

-Are you?

-Yeah.

-Anyway, this is the money moment. Each get your £300.

You know the rules, your experts await and off you go.

Very, very good luck.

Off you go then.

For the Reds we have Paul Laidlaw, who is calling up his new recruits.

Hello.

BLOWS WHISTLE

Whilst Mark Stacey whistles up his Blue Team.

-This is it, Carol and June.

-Excellent.

-Excited.

I should be in safe hands today,

I've got the long arm of the law with me.

-Should be behind your back, really.

-Oh!

We like jewellery, we like quirky objects

but different jewellery, different quirky objects.

-It's like yes and no, isn't it?

-It is.

-Big risks, risk-taking.

-Spend all the money.

-Spend all the money?

You'll have to leave me a little something.

A couple of pounds, maybe.

-Go for it. Don't look at me. Look at this.

-Right.

-You heard the man.

Eyes down.

Now, something pricey has already caught Carol's eye.

It is my champagne taste, you see. It's absolutely gorgeous.

-Wrong programme.

-You're telling me no chance. Fine.

-Which way? This way.

-Let's go for it.

-That's you told, Carol. Best move on, love.

Now, Blues, what have you found?

How about things like animals? How well do they go down?

-Something like this, for instance.

-It's a bit crude.

-Yeah.

-Do you like pigs?

-I see what you have done there.

-Oh, Mark, honestly!

I didn't actually realise the pun in that.

-We're going to do puns all day.

-We have started now.

-I quite like him.

-How much is your pig, sir?

-250.

-Oh! That's a bit of a porker, isn't it?

-It's a stinker.

-You're going to spend a lot less than that.

So, we know the Blues like pigs, but what do the Reds fancy?

I am more of a... knick-knacky, quirky little one catches my eye.

OK.

I like Georgian silver and Art Deco jewellery

-and Goldscheider bronze.

-I'm sure you do!

But you might find some Deco jewellery or some early silver

at the right price here. Find me some. I defy you.

So the challenge is on, Reds. Good luck.

Meanwhile, those police officers seem a bit lost.

Yeah, we were going that route.

We were going to go that way and then round.

You should know directions here, you know.

-It's like pounding the beat with you two.

-'Ello, 'ello, 'ello.

This is really hard.

It is nowhere near as easy as you think it is going to be.

One for the armchair critics?

THEY LAUGH

Try it, folks. Believe us.

Yes, it really is much harder than it looks, you know, Reds.

But you are in safe hands here with Paul.

Now, what are the Blues carping on about?

I wonder what that little fish is. It sort of looks Indian-ish.

How much is the fish? Do you know offhand?

-Yes, it is 65 but I would do it for 55.

-Shall we have a look?

-Yes.

-It is a pretty thing.

-Do you think it's silver?

I think it is Indian silver probably, which is

a lower grade than ours. But it has got this sort of gilt.

-It's quite nice, intricate patterns.

-Yes, it is.

Filigree work on there as well.

And people could do different things with it,

-they could put it on a key chain.

-It is quite cute, actually.

And the fact it is all linked in, that is

actually quite good workmanship, isn't it?

-I think you might like this, you know.

-Yeah, I think we do as well.

What did the lady say was her best price?

I think she said our best price was 50.

-Did you say your best price was 50? I am smiling sweetly!

-I know!

46.

-Go on, you will make a profit.

-What do you think?

-It's a catch.

THEY LAUGH

-Right, winner.

-£46, I think we agreed.

You are an absolute star, thank you very much.

It's all going swimmingly for you bobbies. Well done.

First one in the bag. Or should it be "net"?

-Done, let's trawl for some more!

-Oh, you are a wit!

He is a one, that Mark. But we love him.

Now, how are Carol and June getting on?

-Could I tempt you with furniture?

-Yeah.

We are in rich territory here, this is a great stall, I love this.

-That is... Like it or loathe it?

-I love it.

-Love it.

-Ohh!

-We are beyond like, we are to love.

-It's lovely.

Tell me more, why do you love it?

I think it is small, it will go into any house, any home.

You could put it in a bedroom, put it in a child's room.

-Is that mother-of-pearl?

-It is abalone, yes, related to.

That's the bit I love.

Excuse me, is your chair expensive?

-It has 50 on it.

-50 on it.

£50 for a proper antique bedroom chair. Let's have a look.

It's a bit worn here, isn't it?

-Or is that OK?

-Believe me,

these things fall apart. That's the problem in them.

-This is OK, it's better than OK, it's good.

-Right.

-Do you want to go for it?

-You liked it.

-I liked it.

-I liked it. You're...

Yeah. Go for it.

Would you accept 30 for the chair?

-Sorry?

-30?

No, sorry. The best on it would be...

40, 44 would be the best on it.

-40. I'll give you 40.

-No, sorry.

Crunch time. Do you want to put it in the bag

-and go, "Look, it's one down, it's a good thing"?

-Yes, let's do it.

Let's do it. Shake the woman's hand.

Thank you very much. We'll take it at 44. Thank you.

-Phew!

-Yay!

Great, Reds.

But no time for sitting about. You still have two items to find.

I see the boys in blue aren't wasting any time.

A pair of silver floral embossed trumpet vases, London 1896,

so they're even older than Paul Laidlaw.

Now, now, Mark! Catty!

They are quite nice. Are they in good condition?

Well, they're in reasonable condition.

They are a pair, which is nice.

That one has been dropped, I think, or something, hasn't it?

What were you thinking about auction price for that?

I would say, if they were going into auction,

if I was being absolutely honest...

-Yep.

-The auctioneer would probably estimate those

-at sort of 80-120, or 70-100.

-OK.

Because they're not terribly heavy,

but they might appeal to a public buyer

-because they are quite decorative.

-Yes.

-OK, what's your best?

-95.

-Well, we're getting there.

-We are getting there.

-We can go a bit lower, can't we?

-Come on.

-That is really the lowest.

I know, because I just need them to have a bit of a chance.

85, then, and that's rock bottom.

That's giving me back £3 profit on what I paid for them.

What do you think, 85?

-Yeah, let's do it.

-All right.

-Do it for 85.

-85, thank you very much.

-Thank you.

I think that's what they call daylight robbery, boys,

but that's two down, so well done.

MUSIC: THEME FROM "THE BILL"

Is that about the size there that you wear?

It is for my gnome outside.

Meanwhile, the Reds are on a mission.

-We need to get number two.

-We do.

-And quickly.

-Very.

-OK?

-Yes.

-Right.

-Let's go!

-Move.

-Is it over here?

Thank you very much.

And it looks like they've heard about the good deal the Blues got,

so they are at the same stall.

Is the cream jug assay marked?

-Yes.

-Georgian one?

Chester, I'm not sure of the date.

Georgian silver, where's our expert?

Lovely. You see, it's plain.

-Tell me about that. Elegant.

-I like it plain, yeah.

It's just plain, it's elegant, you could use it now.

Do you know the form, the term for that one?

-Is it helmet?

-You're good!

-Yes! Get in!

-How good am I?

-Do I need an expert?

-Love it!

I don't think you do, Carol.

Let's see these marks. How clear are the marks?

Because you can add value with assay office and smith

because people collect their own areas.

Did you say Chester? Chester's collectable, isn't it as well?

-It's reproduction Georgian.

-Aw.

-That's a shame.

No great weight to it, so there's no value,

the value's got to be in its collectability as an object.

Can that be cheaper or not?

What price is on there?

67.

54?

-No.

-What would you be looking at?

Go on, Carol!

-Less than you want to give it to us for.

-You'd be insulted.

Try it!

-If I said 35?

-Cheeky.

£5 more than I was going to say.

THEY LAUGH

-Next time we need to confer, OK?

-OK, we're a team, remember?

-Thank you very much.

-No problem. I could do it for 42.

-We're getting close.

-No.

-Have to walk away, then.

-Walk away, then.

-40?

-Thanks very much.

-Thank you.

-Appreciate that.

-All right, then.

Cor, they're playing a hard bargain today, those Reds.

The Blues, they're feeling the pressure.

-It's really stressful, isn't it?

-How fast has it gone past?

-It's just whizzed by.

-Like absolute lightning.

If we could get that pig that we saw in the beginning,

I know it's loads of money, but if we get that pig,

-imagine blowing 299 and leaving him with a quid.

-A pound.

"There's a nugget. Fill your boots!"

The first two items we bought,

I'm not quite sure that they love them as much as I like them,

but they seemed to like the fish

and I think they appreciated the silver vases were antique

and you know, one for each of them.

I just think they're having a ball, aren't they, really?

A policeman's ball, probably.

So while the Blues are off on their next task,

the Reds don't seem to have moved far.

We have one each. Which one do you like, June?

I like that one because it's plain.

-Oh, right.

-Because I like plain things, but that one is quite nice

-with the floral detail.

-I like that, with the little bit of engraving.

We know what they are, visiting card cases.

Date-wise, anyone?

I'd have said late Victorian.

Victorian? We're absolutely happy at that. Maybe a wee bit earlier,

but Victorian, yes.

-They're not uncommon.

-No.

But they are easy to like.

Do you know, they are very useful for putting your bank cards in.

I like your style!

-It's this pre-loved, recycling...

-You may as well use it.

You've got to use things or you don't add to the history.

-I hear you, yeah.

-Because if you don't touch it and use it,

how do you add to the story?

Could we see if they will do us a deal on that and the silver?

-Shall we do it?

-Yeah, go for it.

-Go, go, go!

Are these expensive?

-VENDOR:

-What do you mean, expensive?

Are they 15 or 20 quid each?

-How much are they?

-60.

We're wasting our time. Do you want the wee bit of silver?

35, definitely.

As a parting shot?

I can't. I'm losing money on that.

What can it be?

38 would be... 38.

Right, so it's £38 or nothing.

-What are we doing?

-We'll go for it.

-Buying it?

-Yeah.

-I love it.

Excellent. Thank you very much.

-Pleasure.

-Thank you.

-Pleasure.

-Thank you.

-Pleasure.

-High five.

Get in there.

Back on track! Come on.

Nice work, Reds.

I like to see a happy team, but are alarm bells ringing for the Blues?

-So we've got ten minutes left, you know.

-Only ten minutes.

-And we've still got one item.

-Feeling the pressure.

-Are you feeling the pressure?

-Yeah, very much so.

-Are you enjoying it, though?

-Oh, yes.

-Really?

I know you are because you have a big smile on your face all the time.

I've always got a big smile on my face.

That's quite nice. Do you like that?

-I do like that. It's nice.

-It's lovely.

I think we'll need to have a look at it,

because it looked to me as if it might be silver.

-Got it.

-Wow.

Stones in there. What are the stones?

Well, they are semiprecious stones, I would say.

It has a sort of continental feel to me. What does it say?

-Austro-Hungarian.

-Yes.

It's quite dramatic, isn't it?

What sort of year are we talking about?

Sort of 1890, that sort of date.

And actually, at the end of the 19th century, there was quite a vogue

for copying jewellery from the sort of 13th, 14th, 15th century.

-Right.

-And they, of course, had very rough ways of cutting stones,

-which is why these look rather... not to today's standards.

-Yeah.

What have they got it tagged up for?

Well, not an unreasonable figure, actually. £85.

We might be able to tweak it down a bit.

It's your turn this time, Stuart. Go on, turn on your charm.

What's your best price you'd be able to offer us on this?

I could do it for 65.

You sure you can't do it for 60?

You can't smile even sweeter at the lady?

-Is he any good at this, do you know?

-I hope so.

-He's a lot quieter than you.

-Well, yes.

Maybe his calm, polite manner is going to... Not so brash.

-You'll do it for 60? That's ever so kind.

-Thank you very much.

And we've got five minutes left,

-so shall we agree that's our third purchase? 60 quid?

-Come on.

-Would it help you if we took the pressure off?

-Yes.

Go on, Mark. Say yes. Just for Stuart.

-Yes.

-Yes. We're in agreement.

-Yes.

-Well done, Stuart.

-Well done, Stuart. Round of applause.

-Thank you.

-Yes, great work, chaps. That's all three items bought.

The Reds, however, are running out of time.

Woof.

I don't mind telling you, a wee bit of pressure here.

We want to spend over £100 on a bit of silver with you!

-I'm a lucky man.

-But it's got to be worth it.

-I've got some Georgian silver.

-What have you got?

-OK...

Just quality silver,

stand-alone, 100, 150.

Well, it's a good thing. Lovely gilding.

These are your ticket prices. Consider us trade buyers.

How much is that really?

I could do that for you for 160.

The trade price on that is 100 quid.

I couldn't do 100. I could do 120.

-June, do we know what a vinaigrette is?

-No.

-Be quick.

-Vinaigrette, shall I...?

Well, I know it's a salad dressing.

THEY LAUGH

That's what I know.

OK. Um...

Georgian lady or gentleman out in less than polite society

and oh, the odour.

One carries a vinaigrette with a little sponge

with some fragrance inside

and just, "Oh, my word! That's so much better, darling.

"Let's get to the mansion."

You'd think that Scotsman had all the time in the world, wouldn't you?

Two and a half minutes, guys.

-We'd better have a look quick. May we?

-A quick look.

-There you go.

-That is gorgeous. I love that.

-You like?

Gilded to protect the silver

-from the essences within the sponge.

-That's really cute.

Good fun, isn't it? A lot going on there. And it closes tight?

Little bit of engine turning there, a vacant cartouche.

-May I talk turkey?

-Yes.

Take your money back on it. Round one-er.

-Not 120.

-110?

In you go. This is my secret weapon!

-Flutter!

-Please!

-I'll do 150.

Two minutes.

-110 would be really good for us.

-115 would be better for me.

-I know.

-I think it's 115.

-I think 115.

-I think the price is very fair. Are we doing it?

-BOTH: Yes.

-We're going for it.

-Shake the hand. Cheers, my man.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-No problem.

-Thank you.

Ladies.

Georgian silver. Behold!

And wait for it...

3, 2, 1. An hour.

-We've done it! Yes!

-Well done, Reds.

And they've got that bit of Georgian silver in the end.

You what? Time's up? Time's up.

Let's check out what the red team bought.

The Reds paid £44 for the early Victorian lacquered bedroom chair.

The Chester silver helmet-form cream jug cost them £38.

And in their last minute,

they paid £115 for the Georgian silver vinaigrette.

Now, you've just finished your shopping, which is magnificent.

Your grand total was how much?

-197, I think.

-197.

-Yes.

-Well, that's OK.

-Who's got the £103?

-We both have.

-Have you? Oh.

You've got the 3. Oh, yes. Thank you very much.

-Tell me, which is your favourite piece?

-The vinaigrette.

-The vinaigrette is your favourite piece?

-Yes.

-And for me also.

Will that bring the biggest profit?

-It's going to bring in an enormous profit.

-Is it?

I think we may make a profit on the small cream jug.

-You think that might do better than the vinaigrette?

-I think it might.

That's your prediction. OK, fine.

Well, here you go. Paul Laidlaw, that's a nice pile of dough.

Go and find yourself a jolly nice bonus buy if you possibly can.

Meanwhile, we're going to check out

what the Blue team bought, aren't we?

The Blues splashed out £46 for the continental silver fish pendant.

The pair of silver Victorian trumpet vases cost them £85.

And finally, they spent £60

on the eye-catching Hungarian silver bracelet.

-So how was that shopping, chaps?

-Really fun.

-Really good, yeah.

More exciting than riding your motor bicycle?

There was some speeding around, but mainly by us, really.

So, Stuart, which is your favourite piece?

-Probably the fish.

-The fish?

-Yes.

-Do you agree with that?

-I do, actually. We agree.

We both really like that, the first thing we came across,

-and, yeah, it's good.

-All right, that's nice.

And you spent in total?

-£191.

-Did you? That's a good amount.

-It's not bad.

-191. I'd like, therefore, 109, please.

-OK.

We've got a fiver in there somewhere.

-OK, fine. Well, here we go, Mark.

-A lot of money, Tim.

-Yes, it is indeed.

-Spend it wisely.

But it couldn't go to a better person to spend it, I have to say.

Well, I'm going to try to find something that complements

the other items they bought,

and something that turns into something else.

Good luck with that complexity!

Meanwhile, the last time I was here in Stafford,

I came across an antique that could, well, just keep you fit.

Sometimes in these fairs, you are lucky enough

to come across something that you might call a barn discovery.

And that's exactly what this piece of furniture is.

It has seen better days, has it not? But what is it?

Well, this thing was made probably by Gillows of Lancaster

around about 1820, for a stately home.

And it epitomises a piece of furniture

that was exclusively made for the rich landowning classes.

It's called a chamber horse.

The idea being that on wet days,

when it was inclement to go out riding your horse,

what you do is to mount this seat.

Now, originally, this was covered in slick leather.

You can see the horsehair padding all coming out,

but if you look carefully, there are two tiers underneath here

filled with the equivalent of bedsprings.

That's what gives this thing a little bit of bounce.

And before the bottom tier collapsed,

this area came up to here, round about there,

and it was all on these bouncy springs,

and the idea was to keep your legs in good riding trim,

you get astride this thing, put your leg up over the top,

and literally plant your bottom in the middle there,

and you would be facing this direction,

and you would grip the rail in front of you like that,

and in the middle of the gallery on your house,

you go, "Tally-ho! Tally-ho!"

And you would go bouncing up and down like this,

and you bounce up and down like that for about an hour and a half,

rather like skiing exercises,

whereupon your legs would remain in good condition

for you to get astride a horse.

Hence, it's called a chamber horse.

Ride it in the chamber of your Georgian country house.

How about that for a brilliant piece of kit?

And here it is. It desperately needs restoration.

And it sold to a lucky buyer

who is going to pour all that TLC into it,

and no doubt bring it back in a restored condition

with new leather, polished lovely mahogany,

whereupon the thing will be worth, on a good day,

at auction, £2,000-3,000.

A useless piece of kit,

but if you've got one of those country houses

and you want to have an original thing that might have sat in it,

this could be the baby for you.

It's a few weeks on from the fair, and the big question today is,

will our teams be bouncing for joy at the auction?

Well, what a lovely way to start the day this is.

Richard Winterton's auction house in Burton-on-Trent,

-with Richard Winterton himself.

-Absolutely delighted to have you.

-Yes. Well, we're delighted to be here.

-Good.

Now, this Red team have kicked on

-with the single lacquer bedroom chair.

-Yes.

How do you rate that chair, then?

I think we've overdone it.

We put 30 to 40 on it, and I don't know if we'll get that.

What, you think you'll struggle to get 20?

I'm going to be positive on it, and if we get £20,

that's what they paid for it, and we should get there.

They paid £44, actually.

You're going to have to pull your gavel well and truly to the fore!

-I think we will struggle on that.

-Yes, OK.

Now, what about this lovely Chester-hallmarked

Georgian-style helmet-form cream jug?

It's collectable, good, solid seller.

-How much?

-30 to 50.

-OK. £38 paid.

-Yeah, we're fine with that.

-That should wipe its face.

-Yes.

-How about this little vinaigrette?

-Yes, fab.

-Complete with sponge.

-Yeah, I like that.

-It's good, isn't it?

-Yes, yes.

A lot of people are now coming fresh to the market

who are interested in collecting. That's a good start.

They know their money is no good in the bank.

-You're much better off with some objects.

-Yes.

-You can't go wrong.

-Can't go wrong.

-At the right price.

-At the right price.

-What is the price?

-We've gone 70 to 90.

-Not the right price.

-Oh.

-They paid 150.

-Come on.

-That's still OK.

-Is it?

-Yeah, we'll make that.

-You'll get 120, £130?

I wouldn't quite say that, but I think we'll get 115.

-Do you?

-Yeah.

-Well, if you do, they might not need the bonus buy.

But let's go and have a look at it anyway.

-This is exciting, isn't it?

-Very.

-You gave Paul Laidlaw £103.

We all know what an old clever-socks he is, so what did you buy, Paul?

-Well, we were very much on the silver trail, were we not?

-Yeah.

I bought the least likely object you will see

in silver as long as you live.

-LAUGHTER

-It's got a fascinating action.

-Don't you always slap them?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-BELL DOES NOT RING

-Turn the knob.

BELL RINGS

-Oh, I like it.

-The sophistication of the engineering alone...

Period, Edwardian.

It adorned quite a table.

I think this is for summoning one's staff.

We could do that. This is definitely our sort of thing.

-How much did you pay for it?

-What do you think I paid?

30.

-35.

-Well done!

-Yeah.

-She's pretty good.

LAUGHTER

Junie, what do you think? Do you want to hold it?

How much you think it will sell for?

Novelty sells, rarity sells, and quality sells.

-That should do 70 or £80.

-I think it's a most interesting thing.

-I think it's nice.

-And if you turn it over, underneath,

you've got a little bit of blonde oak, right?

So somebody who made that didn't just make it with some

rubbish method. That is a pukka piece of wood in there.

I think it is a most interesting item.

-It's a nice thing.

-Functional as well, today, you could use it,

even if you don't have staff.

-Exactly.

-You could pretend.

-You could pretend.

-We could train someone to the bell.

-We could, couldn't we?

-LAUGHTER

-Get the dog to come!

Pushing a sandwich trolley!

Just after Bargain Hunt's finished. We've cracked it!

Anyway, on that happy note, why don't we check out

for the viewers at home

what the auctioneer thinks about Paul's bell?

RINGS BELL

-There we go, Richard.

-I love it. It just needs a bit of work.

Obviously, the plating on the top has all been rubbed off

with all the rubbing. It's got a lot of history in that.

-I think it's great.

-Yes, bowing and scraping, all the staff.

-It's good.

-It's a nice object. You don't see many of them.

-That's true.

-That's very true.

-So, yeah, I like it.

-OK. So how much?

-40 to 50.

-OK.

-Yeah. No trouble.

£35 from the Laidlaw. He's no fool.

-No.

-Anyway, that's it for the Reds.

Now for the Blues. Very silvery and small things.

Here we've got a silver-gilt articulated fish pendant.

Do you think it comes from India?

Most certainly over that way, do you think?

It's beautifully made, isn't it?

-A little turquoise in its eye.

-We haven't put much money on it.

-What's your estimate?

-We put £20 on it.

-£46, they paid.

-Too much.

Man of few words, our Winterton! What have you got in for fish?

I hope that there's some people out there who do collect that.

-And vinegar?

-They've got the fish.

We just want some inexpensive fried potatoes, and we'd be away!

Now, listen. Next is the pair of trumpet vases in a case.

I'm going to struggle again. I'm really not trying to down it,

but they're just a pair of silver trumpet vases.

-I thought they were rather special, those.

-Do you?

I mean, the case is a bit battered, but you soon get that tickled up.

-I mean, that was somebody's wedding present in 1896.

-Of course.

They're in ace condition.

-Now, how much then, after all this gloom?

-50 to 80.

Is that all, seriously? £85 paid. OK, fine.

Well, we'll find out who's right in a minute,

because if the silver buyers are here, I have a funny feeling

you'll tickle on a bit with that, but still, we shall see.

Now, talking about tickling on, how did you get on with

the Austro-Hungarian silver costume bracelet?

We quite like this. We wouldn't nail to the post

on the designer of it, but it's got some design quality to it.

-It's a nice piece.

-Yes. We're talking about silver-gilt?

-Silver-gilt.

-Continental silver-gilt,

and then plastered in those little stones.

A lot of work, that, isn't it?

-A lot of work. A nice thing.

-That's good, then.

We've gone 80 to 120, just in case it is a very famous designer.

OK, lovely. £60 paid. So, that's pretty ace, isn't it?

That's going to claw it back for them,

If they need any clawing back after the fish and the vases.

On that happy and inspiring note, I think they might need

their bonus buy, so let's go and have a look at it.

Well, boys, this is exciting, isn't it?

£109, you gave that naughty Mark Stacey.

OK, Mark, show us what you bought.

-OK.

-Don't get excited yet.

-Not yet.

Because you wanted something

-that turned into something else, didn't you?

-Mm-hmm.

And I think this is a jolly interesting piece,

because when you get it assembled... Put that little pin back in there.

-It's a picnic set.

-No, it's a little cake stand.

So you can have your little fondant fancies or cupcakes on there.

-Look at that.

-What is it inlaid with, Mark?

-Stained bone, actually.

-Stained bone?

-Yeah, I think so.

-What sort of period are we talking?

I think it's probably '20s, isn't it?

-That sort of period.

-OK, 1920, 1930s.

-And is it Indian, or is it Egyptian, or is it Damascus?

-Syrian?

-It's certainly Asian.

-Right, OK.

The big question - how much did you pay for it.

-£40.

-Ooh.

Actually, this type of decorative ware now

can be quite popular, because they are unusual.

And it is quite practical as well,

if you live in a small space, for example.

I wanted to find you something which was completely different.

-Completely different out there. Yeah.

-OK, lovely.

Well, we're enthusiastic.

Why don't we find out, for the audience at home

whether the auctioneer is into his baking,

and is similarly enthusiastic?

I feel a market coming on in downtown Damascus.

Or maybe Cairo.

And, crikey, haven't they worked hard at that?

It doesn't do a lot for me. We haven't put a lot of money on it.

-Is it worth £100?

-We put £20 on it.

-Did you?

And it might make 22, 23.

-I don't know. I think it's got something. I really do.

-Do you?!

I think all that dingly-dangly... Yeah, I do.

-Anyway, there we go. £20 - 30 is your estimate.

-Yep.

£40 was paid by Mark Stacey.

He thinks there's money in this

because it's such a wacky and unusual thing.

Anyway, you're taking the auction today, aren't you?

-I am. Looking forward to it.

-Thank you, Richard.

-Now, June and Carol, happy?

-BOTH: Very.

We're very, very happy to be at this moment.

-It's been quite a journey, hasn't it?

-It has. We're very excited.

-I know. We're eventually here, on the edge of the abyss.

-Very excited.

-So are you nervous about anything at all, June?

-Erm... I'd say the chair.

-That was my most nervous thing.

-Is that your most nervous thing?

It's a pretty lovable thing.

Will it appeal, just like it appealed to you?

It's very much who's here today, right?

The helmet-form cream jug I think is super, actually.

Very nice little thing.

-You found that, Carol, didn't you?

-I did.

And the vinaigrette, he really likes that.

That's a traditional, old-fashioned antique.

Otherwise you've got the table bell,

to summon some assistance with if you need to!

Anyway, very exciting.

First item then is going to be the bedroom chair, and here it comes.

£20 to start me, the lacquered chair. £20. £10 to start me.

-£10, madam, I have you at £10. £12. £12. £14.

-He goes on.

He's a good auctioneer.

One more. £16. £18. Got you.

At £20. £22.

-£22, £24.

-Yes. Go on.

-26. 28. Three of you out.

All done. Sold at £28.

£28 is 2 short of 30. Which is minus 16.

Which could have been a lot worse if you hadn't tried, and you tried.

Anyway, let's win it all back with this helmet jug.

Chester, 1914.

£20 I'm bid. 22, 25,

28, 28...28. £30.

32, 35.

35. 38. 38. £40.

42. 45. 48.

50. 55. £60.

65. £70. 65...

-Good auctioneer.

-75.

75, on my right at 75. Sold at 75.

Two short of 40.

That's 35 plus two, is plus 37.

Look out, here comes the vinaigrette.

Commission bid's in, I'm in at £70 straight in.

At 70. 75. 80. 85. 90.

100. £100 I'm bid there at 100.

At £100. All done?

-I can't bear this.

-Sold at 100.

OK, £100. Bad luck, girls.

-Even stevens.

-It certainly was.

That's minus £15,

but you had £21 before that.

So you are now plus £6.

BOTH: Yes!

What a business this is, isn't it?

I mean, we're up and down, we're round the houses,

and you're going away with £6. £3 each.

Now, what are you going to do about this bell?

Are you going to risk your £6?

-Shall we go for it?

-Yes.

OK, we're going with the bonus buy and here it comes. Ding-a-ling!

Bit of interest on this. A lovely little lot. £20 bid.

22. 24. 26. 28.

-£30. 32. 34. 36. 38. 40...

-You're in profit. Look.

Look at him go!

Yes, look at him go.

At the 50, it's yours all the way. And sold at £50.

£50. Plus £15.

You are now, girls, plus £21.

How good is that?

That is excellent, isn't it? All thanks to Mr Laidlaw.

-Team.

-No, team. It could be a winning score, this.

Just don't say a word to the Blues. All right? Not a dicky...bird.

-Nothing.

-Nothing.

Now, Mark and Stuart, have you been talking to those naughty Reds. No?

-They are naughty.

-They are, aren't they?

Now, listen, let's just run through your items.

Mark. You found the continental silver fish pendant in filigree

with its little turquoise eyes.

I must say I rather like that, actually.

It's a pretty little thing. For a cabinet - why not?

It ought to be worth £50.

And if all else fails, you've got the bone-inlaid...

We've got the fondant fancies!

..three-tier fondant-fancy display unit to fall back on, right?

Anyway, here we go then.

First up is your fish pendant, and here it comes.

£10 to start. The little pendant there.

£10. £10 I've got.

-12. 14. 16. 18.

-Come on.

-£18, bid at £18.

-Oh, no, come on.

-Far right at 18. Do we have 20? I'm done.

-Uh-oh.

He was absolutely right for his market.

-That's minus £28.

-Unlucky.

I don't like that at all.

-That's cheap, that's very cheap.

-Here come the trumpet vases.

£20 to start me. £20, got you at £20.

£20. 25. 30. 35.

40. 45. 50.

55. 60.

-At £60 right there, at £60.

-I can't bear this.

-At £60.

-This is no money.

-£70 sold.

£70. Minus £15.

OK, now, the Austro-Hungarian bracelet.

Stand up to the plate, my boy, cos this is your bracelet.

35. 40. 45. 50.

55. £55 I'm bid. At £55.

At the 55.

TIM WEEPS DRAMATICALLY

All done?

-I can't bear it.

-55.

All this chat. £55 is minus £5...

Overall you're minus 48. Doesn't sound too bad if you say it quickly.

-Very quickly.

-This is a grave disappointment all round, isn't it?

It is a shame. There should have been more than those.

I'd give him a ticket if I were you!

You'll never travel the street ever again.

You'll never get to Sussex.

What are we going to do about the cake stand, then?

Are we going to go with the cake stand?

-We've got to have a punt, this is all on you.

-All or nothing.

I can't bear this.

You're going to have a Viennese fancy, are you? All right.

Fine. We're going with the cake stand.

Here we go, the decision's made.

We're going with the bonus buy, and here it comes.

Commission is on the book at £10.

12. £14. 16. 18. £20. 22. 24.

26. 28. £30. 32.

-32. Right away at 32.

-Oh, please. Come on.

35. 38. £40. 45.

-Yes. This is it.

-All done?

All done? Finished? Sold at 45.

Yes! That's what we like to see. 45!

That is plus £5. I mean, what a relief that is.

The responsibility for poor Mark Stacey.

Anyway, overall you are minus 43. Yes?

Minus 43 might be a winning score.

Say not a dickybird to those naughty girls. All right?

-Too embarrassed to!

-Yeah, don't say a word.

Did we have fun? We've loved it.

You've been just the most splendid teams, I can't tell you.

Unfortunately we come to the tally moment.

And have you been chatting to one another about this tally?

There's a degree of rivalry between you girls and boys.

Certainly is! And you have no idea where we are.

Well, I have to own up,

because today we have a team of winners and a team of runners-up.

And the runners-up today are the Blues.

BLUES: Ohhh!

I'm afraid the scorecard doesn't look too rosy,

until you come to the bonus buy, when you made a £5 note

out of a folding cake stand - about which you were very rude!

Otherwise not so hot, but did you have a nice time?

-Absolutely fantastic.

-We've loved having you on the show.

Now, the victors are going home with £21.

Which is quite a result, that, isn't it? There's your 20.

You'll have the one. For the daughter - poor daughter!

Anyway, that wasn't so hot either, your scoring,

until you got to that cream jug. That did you well, didn't it?

And then a nice little profit out of the bell.

Paul, thank you very much for that. So, £21 overall, hey?

What you going to spend it on, Carol?

We need to give it long and hard consideration, Tim,

-but I think it could be champagne.

-Could it?

-It could.

We've had a lovely time, haven't we? Yes.

Join us soon for some more bargain hunting. Yes? Yes!

I know you're sitting there, thinking,

"I could have done better than that." Well, what's stopping you?

If you think you can spot a bargain, go to our BBC website and apply.

It'll be splendid to see you!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd